Little Dragons Shenzhen Rugby Club: Building Champions, On and Off the Pitch

Founded in 2016, the Little Dragons Shenzhen Rugby Club was born from a simple passion: nurturing young talent and building a lifelong love for the game. Through engaging, varied training programs that boost athletic performance and physical fitness, the club offers children the thrill of teamwork, skill-building, and unforgettable experiences on the pitch.

A Coaching Team with Global Experience

Behind every great young athlete stands a coach who has walked the path before them. The Shenzhen Little Dragons are fortunate to have exactly that, a coaching team whose collective resume spans continents, competitions, and decades of hard-won rugby wisdom.

Leading the charge is Head Coach Mirko, a World Rugby Federation-certified Level 2 coach who brings exceptional expertise and a genuine commitment to Shenzhen's community. Alongside him, Assistant Coach Benson (Level 2 certified) energizes every session with his enthusiasm, while Assistant Coach Mary excels at guiding beginners with patience and encouragement, ensuring that every young player feels motivated, focused, and supported.

Joining this formidable lineup is Assistant Coach Jonathan Fang, a 36-year-old Australian whose rugby story began at age 12. Fang's journey started in club and school rugby, where he first cut his teeth in Rugby League before transitioning to Rugby Union at Brisbane State High. There, he competed in the prestigious GPS competition, Queensland's fiercest schoolboys' league, sharing the pitch with future Wallabies stars like Matthew Toomua. From those formative years, Fang took his talents to Japan, where he made history as the youngest player ever to suit up for the Gifu prefecture team. In 2021, he joined the Shenzhen Pirates, where he has now played for four seasons, focusing more recently on touch rugby while continuing to compete in tournaments across China. Fang also briefly coached the Shenzhen Avocado touch team in 2022 and has served as a referee for Shenzhen's international school competitions. His deep well of on-and off-field experience, combined with a truly global perspective, adds an invaluable dimension to the Little Dragons' coaching team.

Also joining the lineup is Assistant Coach Byron Coetzee, a 28-year-old South African whose rugby pedigree speaks for itself. Coetzee's journey began at age 12 and accelerated rapidly: by 16, he was competing at a provincial level in the prestigious Grant Khomo tournament, and by 18, he had earned his stripes at Craven Week, the pinnacle of South African schoolboy rugby. At senior level, he joined the Stellenbosch Rugby Academy in 2017 before moving to North West University from 2018 to 2019. In 2022, he suited up for the Leopards rural team, and from 2024 to 2025, he brought his talents to Shenzhen, playing two seasons with the Shenzhen Pirates. His journey from the rugby heartlands of South Africa to the emerging fields of China gives him a unique perspective, and a wealth of experience to share with the next generation.

Together, this coaching team doesn't just teach rugby. They mentor. They inspire. They connect. With roots in South Africa, Australia, Europe, and China, they represent a global rugby brotherhood, and they're pouring every ounce of that knowledge into Shenzhen's youngest players.

Training That Grows with Every Player

Every week, the Little Dragons gather for 1.5 hours of purposeful, high-energy training. Sessions feature age-appropriate drills delivered primarily in English, with Chinese-speaking coaches on hand for smooth translation. Separate groups for Beginners (4.5–6 years) Juniors (7-11 years) and Seniors (12–16 years) follow a thoughtful age-grade pathway, starting with non-contact Touch Rugby and gradually introducing full-contact elements as players grow. We have a special contact rugby program for the Seniors this season.

More Than a Game

Beyond the pitch, Little Dragons athletes develop essential life skills including teamwork, leadership, sportsmanship, and cross-cultural communication. The club also participates in local and overseas tours, tournaments, and festivals, offering players the thrill of competitive rugby and lasting memories with teammates.

A Record of Achievement

The club's growing list of achievements includes victories at southern China's first children's touch rugby tournament, the City-3 Touch Rugby series, the inaugural 9 Dragons Tournament, the 2022 Guangdong Province Youth Rugby Tournament, the 2024 Macau Junior Rugby Cup, and the GBA Junior Touch Rugby Tournament, giving countless young athletes their first exciting taste of competitive rugby.

2026 Autumn Season: The Next Chapter Begins

The Little Dragons Rugby Club has officially unveiled its 2026 Autumn Season, a thrilling 14-week rugby journey designed for young athletes aged 4.5 to 16 years. Running every Sunday from September 6 to December 13 at the Shekou Meinanhe Sports Town in Nanshan District, the season offers a carefully structured pathway that evolves with every player.

Training sessions run from 9:30–11:00 AM, with each class lasting 1.5 to 2 hours of high-energy, purposeful rugby development. The club divides players into three distinct age groups, each tailored to their physical and skill level:

• Junior Juniors (4.5–6 years): Non-contact touch rugby that emphasizes fun, movement, and foundational coordination.
• Juniors (7–12 years): Basic rugby skill training, building core techniques, game awareness, and teamwork.
• Seniors (13–16 years): Full-contact professional rugby training, preparing young athletes for the intensity and discipline of competitive match play.

For the senior age group, the focus sharpens significantly. Players aged 13 to 16 step into the demanding world of full-contact rugby, where they learn advanced tackling techniques, defensive structures, attacking patterns, and the physical and mental resilience required to compete at higher levels. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, including World Rugby-certified professionals and seasoned players like Jonathan Fang these young athletes are groomed not just for local tournaments, but for the rigors of representative rugby, with an eye toward provincial and even national competitions.

Pricing & Packages

The full season is priced at ¥2,280 for training sessions only, that's ¥190 per session on a pro-rata basis across the 14-week season. Families sending two or more players will enjoy a Family Discount, reducing the season fee to ¥1,800 per player, just ¥150 per session on a pro-rata basis. A Member Playing Kit, including shirt, singlet, and shorts, is available as an additional ¥588 add-on. For those unable to commit to the full season, a flexible Pro Rate option is also offered at ¥190 per session.

Important Notes

• Sessions and tournaments are subject to venue regulations and may change accordingly.
• Player registration information must be completed prior to the first session.
• Tournament participation, transportation, and other costs are not included in session fees.
• Payment covers the total session block, no-shows are non-refundable.

From playful first steps on the pitch to the thunder of full-contact competition, the Little Dragons Autumn Season promises growth, grit, and glory for every young player who dares to join the pride.

Parents and players eager to join are warmly invited to contact Winstone via the QR code below.

Lace up those boots and let's make this the best season yet!