Hunter Wildfires coach Scott Coleman will take charge of the rugby program at Hunter Sports High School from 2026 onwards, as part of an exciting new partnership that will further strengthen the Shute Shield competition leaders. 

While Hunter Sports High already runs an established rugby program, the partnership with the Wildfires will give students access to semi-professional coaching, on par with what is offered at private schools in Sydney. 

“From the start, the purpose of the Hunter Wildfires has been to give kids from the country an opportunity to pursue rugby without having to move to Sydney,” Wildfires Director of Rugby Darren Coleman told Rugby News. 

“We know that a lot of our kids attend private schools in Sydney, which is great, but that’s not for everyone and this new partnership opens up a new pathway for kids in Newcastle and the Hunter region. 

“It will also see more rugby played in public schools, which is a fantastic outcome for the game.”

Now in the club’s sixth season back in the Shute Shield competition, Hunter lead the competition after eight rounds and have dropped just one match so far this season – a 15-12 loss to reigning premiers and second placed Eastern Suburbs. 

“We’re happy with how we’ve started the season but we’ve got a lot of rugby ahead of us,” Coleman said. 

“We want to be successful now and we also have a strong focus on developing for the future and this partnership with Hunter Sports High will go a long way in assisting us on that journey.”

While applications for Year 7 at Hunter Sports High in 2026 have now closed, enrolment opportunities for Year 8 and above will open in Term 3.

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