The Tamborine Mountain Junior Bushrats might be the smallest team in the league with just 66 players, but it is certainly one of the keenest. 
Pre-season training began on Monday night and a new coach came to look over the boys.
The Bushrats are looking to field at least five teams next year. Official sign on day is February next year, but organizer Kylie Drinkwater said yesterday, "It is important for the boys to start early to get fit and healthy ready for next year.
Tackling practice with Kody Cole and Raven Terare making takle. Watching are President Michael Shutte and Mitchell Lewin
"We are stressing skills and commitment and letting the boys know that they have to eat well, hydrate and get plenty of rest in the lead up. It is a very physical game and they have to make themselves ready".
Fundraising for the Bushrats also began this week with their annual raffle. Click here for more details.
Last years teams performed well with the Under 15's making it to the semi finals. The Under 12's had an on and off season brought about by occasional absences.
Kylie said, "The Under 10's performed really well and the Under 7's - or the Little Tackers as I like to call them - were enthusiastic players who threw themselves into the game. That's both the girls and the boys in the team".
Last night's training was on the Tamborine Mountain Sports Centre which was looking very green and trim. Players reported a slight sogginess on the very outer parts of the ground but everyone was happy with the condition of the turf.
New coach Mark Spisic who has just moved to Tamborine Mountain from Tweed Heads and is looking forward to helping the Bushrats
Mark Spisic, a former Titans Under 20 player from Tweed Heads has just moved to Tamborine Mountain. As a 22 year old Mark is still in his playing days, but has decided to broarden his horizens and try his hand at coaching. Mark has played at Keebra Park as a school boy, then onto Tweed Heads where he was selected to play and train in the Titans U20.
"It's a great to be here at a smaller club where things are a lot less political that they are with the larger coastal clubs in League. It'll be good to have a look at the boys and see how we can improve their skills," he said.
Kylie Drinkwater said, "With so much playing experience and ability Mark's skills and knowledge will become a great assest to our club".
As to if and when Tamborine Mountain will be able to field a Senior Club team, Kylie Drinkwater said it would be up to the senior Bushrats organization to decide if that were going to possible. The process is quite extensive. The Bushrats would first have to affiliate with the Goldcoast QRL to get into the Second Division. Then there are affiliation fees and game fees which add up to several thousands of dollars. "It is quite a big deal," said Kylie.