Meet the Coach Behind St. John’s Youth Sports Fun
Basketball, Tee-ball and softball have shaped Eugene Walsh’s life since age five. Today, he is passing that love of sport to a new generation through fun, encouraging youth programs in St. John’s, NL.
Meet the Owner
“Hi, I’m Eugene Walsh,
founder of Rising Stars NL Youth Sports.
Sports and I go way back, all the way to age five. I grew up playing basketball, Tee-ball and softball. Over the past 25 years, I have competed, coached, travelled and built friendships that have lasted far beyond the final whistle.
For me, sports have always been about more than what happens on the court or field. They bring people together, create memories and give children a place to discover what they can do.
A Basketball Story That Travelled Well
My basketball journey began with St. John Bosco. From there, I had the opportunity to represent Team Newfoundland and Labrador, play with various club programs and compete at a high level.
The game took me to Montreal, Halifax, Calgary, Toronto, New Brunswick and Dallas. I later played with the Holy Heart Highlanders, where our team won back-to-back 4A Provincial Championships.
Eventually, I moved to the other side of the court. I coached competitive basketball with Above the Rest, also known as ATR, and spent eight years coaching the St. John Bosco Grade 9 team.
Putting Fun Back in the Game
After years of competitive basketball, I kept coming back to the main reason children start playing sports: they want to have fun.
That idea became the heart of Rising Stars NL Youth Sports. Our programs give children room to laugh, play, make friends, build confidence and enjoy learning new skills.
Winning is not the focus. I care far more about making sure every child feels included, encouraged and excited to return each week. A smile after practice can say more than any scoreboard ever could.
At the end of the day, Rising Stars NL Youth Sports should feel like the highlight of a child’s week. Fun is always in the game plan, and every child deserves to love being part of it.”
- Eugene Walsh