Local rugby coach, Luke Zeremes, takes national reins
Nambour coach Luke Zeremes has been named to lead the Australian U18 Schoolgirls Sevens team.
Q&A by Cameron Outridge
After more than a decade shaping rugby talent on the Sunshine Coast, Nambour’s Luke Zeremes has earned a remarkable appointment as head coach of the Australian U18 Schoolgirls Sevens team. From school oval drills to the national stage, it’s a milestone moment for the St John’s teacher known for his calm authority, genuine connection with players and deep roots in school and club rugby.
How did it feel when you found out you’d been picked to coach a national team?
It’s a real honour, and I feel incredibly privileged to be selected. I’ve been fortunate to coach the Queensland U18 Schoolgirls Sevens side since its inception four years ago and have been involved with U18 Queensland Girls Sevens since 2012. To now have the opportunity to work with a national team is very exciting.
What’s your secret to coaching?
Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the chance to coach a wide range of players and work alongside many coaches. If I’ve learnt one thing, it’s to be authentic — to stay true to who you are as a coach rather than trying to imitate others. I have a clear understanding of my coaching style and where my strengths lie. I also put a strong emphasis on preparation, ensuring every team I work with gets maximum value from each session. My mantra is simple: players should walk away feeling like they’ve improved, learnt something new, and had fun.
What’s the best thing about coaching?
Winning is great, and sometimes, it’s the key focus, but what I value most is seeing players grow as people. Watching them gain confidence and belief in themselves is incredibly rewarding. That’s why I enjoy coaching at club and school level just as much as in representative environments. I’ve been with Nambour Rugby Union for six seasons now, and to witness the growth of some of our female players both on and off the field over that time has been really special. It’s also why I occasionally step away from coaching 1st XV rugby at school; to focus on developing the next group of players, like our current St John’s U15s.
You’ve been a big part of rugby on the Sunny Coast — how has coaching local teams shaped your style?
Like anything, the more time you dedicate, the more you learn and grow. I’ve invested a lot of time and energy into school, club and representative rugby over many years. I’ve enjoyed plenty of success, but I’ve also made mistakes and learnt from them. Coaching such a wide variety of teams, across different age groups and both male and female, has provided a wealth of experiences that have helped shape my approach and refine my coaching style.
What’s the plan going forward with the U18s? Any big goals or visions for the team?
This month, the National Schoolgirl Sevens carnival on the Sunshine Coast will be our first opportunity to start assembling the squad. After that, we’ll hold a three-day training camp in September in NSW before heading to Auckland in December for the Global Youth Sevens. That tournament, which includes national and invitational teams from across the world, is our key focus for 2025. Our goal is to perform strongly and establish ourselves as one of the top teams in the competition.
Will you still be coaching the Nambour Senior Women’s side, or is it full focus on the national team now?
Yes, I’ll still be coaching the Nambour Women’s side. This is a special year for our group, with several players reaching their 50th senior game milestone. While a fourth consecutive premiership would be nice, our focus right now is enjoying the journey. I’ll also continue coaching at St John’s with both our boys and girls teams, along with the Sunshine Coast Schoolgirls, Queensland Schoolgirls, and the GPS Women’s 7s program later in the year. So, as always, it’s a busy calendar.
When selecting young players, what stands out most — skill, attitude, or something else?
Attitude is what stands out most. Players who are committed, open to feedback, can balance fun with hard work, and are good teammates; those qualities go a long way. Technical skills can be developed, but mindset and coachability are key.
Any advice for local kids dreaming of pulling on the green and gold one day?
Striking the balance between passion, hard work and life outside rugby is always a challenge. My biggest piece of advice is to think about your ‘point of difference’ as a player. What makes you stand out? Is it your speed, your step, your aggression, your pass, or maybe your consistency? While it’s great to develop a full skill set, owning and showcasing what makes you unique is crucial.