Challenges Galore

Rugby Gold Coast continues to develop players for the International stage with Caleb Brown the latest player to leave us for a two year deal with the Western Force.

While we are disappointed to see a player of Caleb’s ability and great character leave the Coast we wish him well knowing that we were responsible in no small way in helping him become a very good rugby player.

Our first ‘home grown’ Wallaby Lloyd Johansson is another who has left the Breakers this year to pursue his rugby career in Italy.

We hope to see Lloyd back on the Coast in a couple of year’s a totally rejuvenated player ready to press for Wallaby selection again though the Breakers.

The Breakers are and will continue to be a pathway for players and coaches to gain professional contracts.

What a great achievement for the Breakers to have five players sign up for the Western Force in 2005 from the successful 2004 Premiership winning team.

The challenge is to bring the next group through.

The QRU is looking at restructuring its competitions next season which includes playing a pre season State Cup competition involving all Brisbane Clubs including Redlands and Logan plus regional teams from Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Darling Downs, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

RGC will be entering two teams in this five week competition which drops out of RGCs Strategic Plan to expose more players and coaches to a higher level of rugby.

Players in the two RGC teams competing in the State Cup will be trialling for selection into RGCs premier team, the Breakers that will go on to play in the QPR competition.

The State Cup will in turn lift dramatically the playing standard of the local RGC Club competition as players filter back into their Clubs at the end of that competition on the 21st March.

RGC will field two representative teams (seniors and colts) in the QRU Premier competition in 2009 with the Breakers 1st grade team no longer playing in the Brisbane competition.

This will mean that the Breakers will finally be recognised as the Gold Coast representative team (NOT CLUB) representing ALL Gold Coast Clubs in the Queensland Elite Premier competition.

These are no doubt challenging times but RGC is putting itself in a position to take advantage of any opportunities that may come our way in the near future.

The first challenge at hand is to get the Premier team into this year’s finals series, so we wish Garrick and the Breakers well for their last game against Minor Premiers, Brothers.

Congratulations to all RGC Junior Cyclones players, coaches, managers and supporters who attended the recent QJRU State titles at Nudgee.

It was with a doubt the most successful Carnival for the Gold Coast with all boys being fantastic ambassadors both on and off the field, and special mention to tour manager John Hamilton for a job well done.

Last Saturday night I attended the 25th Anniversary celebrations at the Nerang Rugby Club.

It was a very entertaining night and it is evident Loretta and her committee are doing a great job with the Bulls.

Although Grant Batty and Greg Cornelsen were excellent speakers they were definitely over shadowed by the very talented dancing group that was on show.

Regards,
Tim Rowlands
CEO