Sunshine Coast Rugby League Centenary 2019

Sunshine Coast Rugby League

CENTENARY

Celebrating 100 years of loCal rugby league

Welcome

Contents

Join us in celebrating our iconic 100th birthday as we welcome the centenary year of rugby league here on the Sunshine Coast and Gympie.

3-6 Sunshine Coast Senior Rugby League......................................................................... 7 Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League.......................................................................... 8 What's a game without great refs?................................................................................ 9 Sunshine Coast Falcons ...................................................................................................... 10 Beachmere Pelicans Senior............................................................................................. 11 Beachmere Pelicans Junior ............................................................................................ 12 Beerwah Bulldogs ................................................................................................................... 13 Bribie Island Warrigals Senior ........................................................................................ 14 Bribie Island Warrigals Junior......................................................................................... 15 Caloundra Sharks Senior.................................................................................................... 16 Caloundra Sharks Junior .................................................................................................... 17 Caboolture Snakes Senior ................................................................................................ 18 Caboolture Snakes Junior................................................................................................. 19 Coolum Colts................................................................................................................................. 20 Gympie Devils Senior............................................................................................................ 21 Gympie Devils Junior............................................................................................................. 22 Kawana Dolphins Senior .................................................................................................... 23 Kawana Dolphins Junior..................................................................................................... 24 Kilcoy Yowies................................................................................................................................. 26 Maroochydore Swans Senior ........................................................................................ 27 Maroochydore Swans Junior......................................................................................... 28 Mary Valley Stags...................................................................................................................... 29 Nambour Crushers.................................................................................................................. 30 Noosa Pirates Senior.............................................................................................................. 31 Noosa Pirates Junior .............................................................................................................. 32 Palmwoods Devils.................................................................................................................... 33 Pomona Cooran Cutters .................................................................................................... 34 Yandina Raiders........................................................................................................................... 35 Stanley River Wolves............................................................................................................. 36 Hall of Fame and Life Members.................................................................................. 38 Team of the Century.............................................................................................................. 39

Players, coaches, volunteers and supporters, past and present have each made their individual mark on creating our community into what it is today.

Read about their stories and that of the creation of our association and all its individual clubs.

We recognise the players who have defined the game and other individuals who have championed our sport throughout this long and proud history.

The Sunshine Coast has produced some iconic rugby league legends, but nothing makes us prouder than seeing our junior and senior players enjoying this great game and making lifelong friends each and every season.

Thank you to all who contributed to this historic publication.

upcoming events April 21

CentenaRy RaCe Day – eaSteR SunDay – SunShine CoaSt tuRf CLub

MAy 4-5

47th battaLion Cup – Men anD WoMen – SunShine CoaSt StaDiuM

July 4-7

QLD JunioR CaRnivaL – SunShine CoaSt StaDiuM

July 6

unDeRCoveR boWLS night – MooLooLaba boWLS CLub

AuguST 24

SCgRL gRanD finaL – SunShine CoaSt StaDiuM

AuguST 31

SCJRL gRanD finaL – bRibie iSLanD

SepTeMBer 6

SCgRL pReSentation night

SepTeMBer 13

SCJRL pReSentation night

OCTOBer 5

CentenaRy DinneR

Where it all began..........................................................................................................

Features sales manager: Jess Watson jessica.watson@scnews.com.au Writers: annie Caughey and sarah Dionysius Design and layout: Pete Coram The Sunshine Coast Rugby League Centenary feature is published by News Corp Australia - March, 2019. Those who make advertising placement and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to the magazine undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe the Trade Practices Act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to the above-mentioned, these persons agree to indemnify the publisher and/or its agents against any investigations, claims or judgements. information for this publication was supplied by the individual clubs and is understood to be true and correct.

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Where it all began In the early days, just travelling to games could become a drama, a trip from Nambour to Eumundi in 1921 was one such example of the adversity of the time!

On one rainy Saturday in 1921, it took more than two hours to get to a game. On the way home, the rain affected roads became too much and it took players two more hours to push the ‘motor lorry’ two miles up the hills. After an accident where the lorry went off the road, they finally made it to North Arm at 10pm. By that time, Yandina players had given up, pushed the vehicle to the side of the road and walked home.

Nambour Football Club was one of the pacesetters in the initial stages with its championship winning team of 1921, who also won the Charity Cup and the McKenna Cup. Cooran rugby league - Winners of the glovers Cup, 1929

The 1920s It was a Monday night in early March 1920, the North Coast Rugby Union committee had met to discuss the upcoming season.

As members debated various issues inside the Club Hotel in Nambour, they eventually came to a momentous decision - to adopt the ‘new game’ for the following season.

With that Rugby League on the Sunshine Coast was born.

Other key events and stories of the early decades were:

The Eudlo Club formed on March 14, 1930, and the North Coast District Representative side had its colours approved (gold and black).

An official from the Queensland Rugby League came on hand to notify the players and officials of the changes required under the different rules.

In these initial years the other leagues, especially Maryborough, Bundaberg and South Burnett were the strongest regions in the division and this did not really change until the seventies.

"A training night will be introduced to improve the standard of the game in the forthcoming North Coast Rugby League season. The beginning of a more professional approach!”

The businessmen involved to guide that meeting were W. Whalley and W.J.Cronin and later, J. Tyrell was elected chairman of the first committee.

This imbalance continued until the end of the 1951 season, where the lack of competition and the cost of travelling to play other teams, forced the North Coast Rugby League to take several radical steps to ensure the survival of the game on here the Coast.

First, all players had their names put into a hat and they were drawn out into three teams. This was an attempt to even out the competition, whilst also creating a new side.

Bli Bli and Montville Clubs joined the league on March 24, 1933, while Maleny and Kenilworth formed on May 1, 1936.

The North Coast Rugby League was and is still part of the Wide Bay Division. In the early years, the representative team played against other very strong leagues from South Burnett, Gympie, Maryborough, Bundaberg and Central Burnett.

It didn’t take long for the changes to flow through with a notice appearing in the Nambour Chronicle on March 22, 1920:

The 1950s – The revival of the code

The Burnside Club formed on February 19, 1927, at the White Rose Café, where 21 members had agreed to form the club and play in the B Grade.

The original clubs, Woombye, Buderim, Nambour, Cooran, Eumundi, Palmwoods, Yandina, Cooroy, Pomona, and Mooloolah came across to the new adaption of the game following suit of leagues in Brisbane and Sydney, and so began this proud history of 100 years.

Caboolture a grade, 1947

The other dramatic step implemented by the league forced the clubs to change their names. The league moved away from town names to eliminate the feuds which had been built up over the past decade between Nambour and Woombye. The three clubs became known as All Whites (Nambour), Souths (Woombye) and Rangers (Mapleton and Montville). ¿

The 1940s – WWii and the lack of competition Just like most social and sporting events in this decade, rugby league was put on hold during the Second World War. With so many young men enlisted in armed forces, competitive sport was no longer feasible.

Petrol rationing made travelling to opposition teams difficult, so the North Coast League went into recess from 1941 – 1946. This greatly impacted the momentum the sport, that had built up over the previous 20 years.

In 1947, players and coaches were paid for the first time. Tom O’Brien, a former Brisbane Valleys player, was the first of this breed who came from the Nambour club.

Nambour won the 1946 premiership after the resumption of the league post-wartime. The team went on to claim the next two premierships in 1947 and 1948.

nambour football Club, 1939 - Winners of n.C.r.l Premiership, Cooper Cup and Whalley trophy

By 1949, the competition had become so unbalanced it deteriorated into only having two clubs – Nambour and Woombye. This did not allow for a premiership, but it did create an infamous rivalry. This clash evolved into the classic North Sunshine Coast Rugby League local derby, which dominated the rugby league landscape for the next three and a half decades.

shelly beach, 1948

SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

yandina (norths), 1954

In the first year of this ‘new era’ of the revised premiership, All Whites recorded one of its finest years winning all trophies available that season. The club would go on to dominate the local competition and by its 30th anniversary had accumulated 13 premierships.

Souths broke through for their first premiership in 1956, defeating archrivals All Whites to take the title.

The 50s saw the growth of the game on the North Coast with several new clubs formed. The Norths from Yandina started in 1953 and took out the 1954 premiership. Maroochydore and Palmwoods were also admitted in the 1953 season. However, the Maroochydore club did not stay in the competition for long.

The club wouldn’t return for another 20 years, but when it did, it became one of the powerhouse clubs of the league.

This growth in a competitive league started to pay dividends for North Coast in 1954, when they made the final of the Wide Bay Championship (Core Cup) against Bundaberg, going down 20-5.

Even with this growth and improved skill, the North Coast’s golden era in the Wide Bay competition was still to come.

blast from the Past - Junior league finals at nambour, 1981

contested in the 60s. Their efforts for total domination were halted only by the great victories of archrivals the Souths, who broke the streak and won their second premiership in 1965 and Kenilworth, who took the honours in 1967.

One of several key figures to arrive on the local league landscape in this era was the mercurial Joe Paris. The clever number 7 captained the All Whites Club to a trifecta of premierships between 1962-1964.

Former Maroochy Mayor Fred Murray became the president of the All Whites Club in 1968. He was influential for two and a half decades at not only club level, but as chairman of the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay League. He was regarded by many as a great leader and guided the game through its ‘golden era’ on the Coast.

As the decade was closing out, the All Whites Club was blessed with another ball playing genius, this time in the form of John Reddy. At the Nambour based club, he won five premierships in six years. Reddy, arguably the best player to have laced a boot in the North Sunshine Coast League, moved down from Rockhampton.

He dominated the local scene as a player and coach for over ten seasons.

The 60s – game gets professional

New clubs were formed in Caloundra and Maroochydore in the early 70s, Palmwoods in 1974 and the Noosa Pirates came into existence in 1975. Quickly they became a force to be reckoned with, by winning their inaugural premiership in 1977.

Caboolture’s nomadic existence found them back in the Sunshine Coast League by 1976 and they recorded their first premiership since 1959 when they took the 1978 title.

While there was continual change in the game of rugby league in the 70s, one thing stayed constant, the strength of Nambour. The efforts of the town’s two league teams, All Whites and Souths, saw seven of the ten premierships in this decade split between the two clubs.

Little did the league’s followers realise that the All Whites allconquering team of 1976, coached by Syd Clarke, was the last the town would win for over a decade.

This decade was characterised as the era when the game started to increase its level of professionalism. At the All Whites Club in Nambour, players were fined for non-attendance at training.

One article written in the local paper about the event read: “The attitude of the players and officials involved in the game has changed from what was regarded as a Sunday afternoon jaunt to a business.”

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The 1970s saw the ever-changing face of rugby league on the Coast again evolve. The competition changed its name in 1969 from the North Coast Rugby League to the Sunshine Coast Rugby League.

Souths under the guidance of ‘super coach’ Ray Laird won a hat trick of premierships in 1971, 1974 and 1975.

all Whites rugby league Junior team, nambour, 1969

This increased professionalism certainly paid off for the All Whites Club because they went on to win seven of the nine premierships

The 70s – The golden era including the beginning of the SCrl Junior Competition

The professionalism that had begun in the 60s, and the popularity that had spread of the game, had meant the domination of just two Nambour clubs ended. The new clubs that were born in this decade would become the driving forces during the 80s and beyond! stanley river u16 Premiers, 1976

SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

Records and information gathered state that a junior rugby league competition started on the Sunshine Coast in 1970. Whilst rugby ¿

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE league was played at Schoolboy level prior to this, it was not until the urgings of school teachers Vince Nippress and Billy Johnson, that a meeting was called for interested parties to attend in an endeavour to provide a competition for our youth to participate in.

Initial teams in the junior competition were Bluebirds, Waratahs and Tigers from Nambour playing out of the Nambour Showgrounds whilst Caloundra and Noosa played at their school grounds.

Alongside Vince and Billy, the key people involved in getting this competition going were; Des Dwyer from Caloundra, the Duncan and Christensen families from Cooroy, Des Ludwig and Slim Moroney who represented the Hinterland towns of Kenilworth, Conondale, Maleny and Beerwah.

In 1971, Bert Deschamps was elected president of the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League and along with his committee of Ronnie Garnett and Bryce Stefan, they began to grow a very strong competition.

was defeated by the Maroochydore Swans.

The Crushers had to wait two more seasons until they took home the ultimate prize, but it was well rewarded with back to back premierships in 1987 and 1988.

The Broncos Colts took out the last premiership of the decade playing out of Woodford.

With a horde of budding champions in their stable, the Broncos looked for a feeder competition to base their up-and-comers in the club’s second year, and it was the Sunshine Coast Rugby League which rolled out the welcome mat. But while the invite may have resulted in a boom for the competition, it was the local players who felt the full blast of the talented visitors.

Fielding a team coached by ex-Brisbane Souths and Parramatta premiership forward Chris Phelan, the Broncos trotted out rising stars such as Willie Carne, Paul Hauff, John Plath, Alan Cann and Bob Conway, as well as Ray Gagai, the father of current international Dane Gagai.

Locals John Cartwright (Gympie) and Jason Hanrahan (Maroochydore) were also members of the Broncos Colts (under 21) team that won the premiership after losing just one match all season.

Kawana Broncos they won the grand final in 1993 with youngsters Brad Thorn, Chris McKenna, Wendell Sailor and current Brisbane Bronco's coach Anthony Seibold alongside others. Kawana playing as the Dolphins in 1995 won the grand final defeating Nambour.

The other four premierships were shared between the southern clubs of Stanley River in 1992, Caboolture in 1994 and Bribie Island who won their inaugural title in 1999. The fourth title went north to Noosa, who in 1997 won their second premiership, exactly 20 years after they initially tasted success.

In a region where rugby league had been strong since 1909, Gympie teams began to struggle in the 80s with the decline becoming worse in the 90s.

At a Wide Bay level, the town dominated the division especially in the 40s, 50s and 60s, but by the 90s it had diminished to the point where its four clubs could not survive. By 1993, the last two clubs in the town were the Brothers and Wanders. These two clubs competed in their own right in the Sunshine Coast competition but were not able to survive.

In 1994, the Gympie Devils were born, not out of an amalgamation of these two great clubs, but as a new entity. The Devils were included in the Sunshine Coast league the same year which rebranded the league as the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League (what it is known as now).

Foundation Broncos chief executive John Ribot praised the Sunshine Coast Rugby League at the time for its vision in accepting the young Broncos team into the competition, saying a huge debt of gratitude was owed.

“Blokes like Fred Murray, Bill Chapman and Bill Beaumont stood rock solid behind us when we didn’t have many other mates,” he said.

Stanley Rivers also played under the Broncos name and captaincoached by well-known Sunshine Coast identity Russell Klein, won the reserve grade premiership that same season.

Interestingly - Woodford Prison won the Reserve Grade Grand Final in 1987 against Maroochydore but was not readmitted to the competition following year due to behaviour issues.

The 2000s – The New Millennium

broncos Colts, sunshine Coast Premiers, 1989

1980s – A decade of great change!!

In the early years of the new millennium, the SCGRL title was shared between clubs. Maroochydore (2000) was coming to the end of their golden run, having won three of the previous five premierships. In 2001 Bribie Island backed up their 1999 title with another impressive victory and in 2002 the Caloundra Sharks were on the victory diesis for the first time in 20 years.

This decade saw the power base of the game on the Sunshine Coast finally move away from Nambour. Since the beginning of the game in the 1920s, this former cane cutting town had dominated the league.

From the formation of these two teams in 1952 through to 1980, they had won 19 of the 27 contested premierships, but things were about to change.

As the game ventured into the 80s, newer clubs began to take a strong foothold on the game.

Stanley Rivers took out the first title of the decade, which was quickly followed by Caloundra. Ironically this dominance was led by former All Whites ‘Golden Boy’ John Reddy.

By 1984, the All Whites and Souths clubs had waned so far, the teams ended up finishing the season in last and second last place.

This resulted in the unthinkable. The clubs formed a joint venture the following year as the Nambour Crushers. The merger had immediate success and the club made the grand final in 1985 but

inaugural a grade Women's team - nambour Crushers, 2002

The next five seasons saw the title shared between modern day powerhouses Nambour and Noosa. The Crushers won a trifecta in 2003, 2004 and 2005. This was then followed by the Noosa Pirates, who under the leadership of former NRL and State of Origin star Noel Goldthorpe, won convincingly in 2006 and 2007. a Caloundra forward looking to offload, 1990

1990s – gympie joins the league The 90s era equalised the standards of the competition and saw the arrival of Gympie.

Over the decade six different clubs were title holders, with Maroochydore leading the way winning premierships in 1990, 1991, 1996 and 1998. Broncos Colts came back into the Sunshine Coast fold in 1993 and 1994 playing under the banner of the

Noosa made it a hat trick taking the title in the centenary season of the game which saw the formation of a new A-grade club in Kilcoy. Caloundra took the title in 2009 and the Gympie Devils captained and coached by former NRL player Darren Burns captured their first premiership.

In 2005, the Sunshine Coast Falcons State League Club was initiated by Don Oxenham, in consultation with the Sunshine Coast Senior Rugby League, with the proposal to begin playing in 2006. This was done with the intention of providing a pathway for local players to higher levels of the game. ¿

SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE At the invitation of the Brisbane Rugby League, the club entered a senior team and a Colts team in the then second tier competition of South East Queensland (the FOGS competition).

The club remained in this competition for 2006, 2007 and 2008 before being accepted into the State League Competition in 2009.

Women’s rugby league started around 2002, with Jim Stewart coaching a team that included future Australian player Tara Westera.

2008 saw the Sunshine Coast Sirens formed and play in the Brisbane competition. This Kawana based club featured players such as Sam Beasant, Steph Hancock and Tara Westera, all who went on to play for Australia.

The key people involved in the developing Sirens was SCGRL CEO Billy Moore, coach Rob Brough, Glenn Peatling and current NRL personality Yvonne Sampson.

The Sirens had a nomadic existence early on and in 2009 relocated to Caloundra, where they were coached by Chris Little.

During that year, they made it to the grand final.

Girls rugby league started to gain momentum because of the Sirens, and games were played at various venues around the Sunshine Coast.

2010s – player drain The 2010 decade saw some teams struggle for player numbers due to the mining boom and the lack of work on the Coast.

Kawana and Maroochydore dominated the A-grade competition, while the Dolphins and Caboolture became very dominant in the lower grades.

Mary Valley entered the competition and nearly tasted success first up going down to Yandina in a thriller grand final in 2011.

The Beerwah Bulldogs finally won a senior competition in 2013 in C-grade and backed it up the following year.

Stanley River re-entered the competition in 2017 and won the division 2 grand final first up. Quickly they were elevated to division 2A where they made the semi-finals in 2018.

Beerwah also re-entered A-grade in 2018, with an influx of players from Brisbane. The side led the competition for most of the season, only to fall at the last hurdle, going down to Maroochydore 22-20 in the last minute of the grand final.

Pomona/Cooran scored their second title in 2018 defeating Beachmere 11-0 in the division 2B grand final.

the Sunshine Coast.

In 2011, the Girls Rugby League began to grow rapidly with teams from Beerwah, Caboolture, Coolum, Maroochydore, Bribie Island and Nambour playing against sides from Aspley, Deception Bay, Logan Brothers, Nerang and Stradbroke Island.

The women finally found a stable home at Beerwah in 2012 and represented the Sunshine Coast in the South East Qld Competition until 2017, reaching a grand final in 2014 and claiming the 47th Battalion Trophy for four consecutive years from 2012 to 2017. Players of note during this period were Annette Brander, Courtney Lockwood, Jazmyn Taumafai, Latisha Gary, Nicole Richards, Sarah Walker and Stephanie Gallagher.

sCgrl Women's grand final - Caboolture v Kawana, 2018

Huge thanks must go out to people like Christine Oakes, Carl Liesegang, Michael Jelfs, Rod Kerr, Tim Shepherd and others for instigating the development of women’s and girl’s rugby league on

SunShine CoaSt Rugby League

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

sunshine Coast division one grand final. beerwah v Maroochydore, 2018

A women’s competition started on the Sunshine Coast in 2018 with Caboolture claiming the first title defeating Kawana.

In 2019, the league celebrates its centennial year for rugby league on the Sunshine Coast. Things are looking very positive for the future with a return to a nine-team competition as Stanley River re-joins the A-grade competition.

Our women’s and girl’s competitions continue to grow, and our junior boy’s competition is a great feeder system for the Sunshine Coast Falcons State League Team and the NRL.

Special thanks must go out to Billy Moore, Bert Deschamps, Tony Durkin, Don Oxenham, Rod Kerr, Glenn Peatling and Dean Roberts amongst others for their input in providing information for this article.

All efforts have been made to ensure that this information is accurate.

SunShine CoaSt Rugby League

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Sunshine Coast Senior rugby league Information supplied by the club

In the centenary year of the rugby league on the Sunshine Coast, the season is shaping up to be one of our best. The A Grade competition has expanded to nine clubs as we welcome back Stanley River after many years playing in lower grades. They will be gearing up to take on returning A Grade clubs Caboolture, Beerwah, Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Nambour, Noosa and Gympie.

This year after the successful inaugural season of the Sunshine Coast Women’s Rugby League where five clubs competed, we prepare ourselves to welcome three new teams into the competition. Beachmere, Maroochydore and Gympie will join founding women’s clubs Caboolture, Kawana, Nambour, Noosa and South Burnett.

This year’s division two competition has 17 clubs nominated to play. This large team pool may be split into two competitions based on club performance. However, as it stands, 2019’s division two competitions consist of Kilcoy, Caboolture, Beachmere, Bribie Island, Beerwah, Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Palmwoods, Coolum, Nambour, Yandina, Noosa, Pomona/Cooran, Mary Valley,

Stanley River and Gympie.

Our under 18s competition is a breeding ground for future stars.

This year we have nine clubs who will face off against each other in the fight for the 2019 premiership. Those clubs are Coolum, Beachmere, Caboolture, Beerwah, Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Nambour, Noosa and Gympie.

As participation numbers seem to only increase slightly each year, player retention has become a high priority goal for SCGRL. But the 2019 season will be very exciting, as no early favourites are yet to be identified. Plus, there have been some significant changes in coaching and player placement. So, it will be very interesting to watch the first few rounds to see who has put in the hard yards during the off season in terms of fitness, match play and strategies.

Several events have been proposed by the Centenary Committee with planning for centenary celebrations well underway.

Those include a Race Day at Caloundra, Undercover Bowls Night at Mooloolaba Bowls Club as well as the Centenary Dinner in October.

This year after the inaugural season of the Sunshine Coast Women’s Rugby League where five clubs competed, we prepare ourselves to welcome three new teams into the competition.

As always, the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League is looking for more sponsors but would like to thank our existing long-term sponsors; Vantage Homes, Maudsley Excavations, Ken Mills Toyota and our media partners in Sea FM, Win and the Sunshine Coast Daily.

About the club Club Established 1920 President glenn Peatling Treasurer & Company Secretary gordon allen Administration Assistant Jess goldthorpe W

www.falcons.com.au rugbyleaguesunshineCoast

Claudia nepson for sunshine Coast falcons in the women's final of the 47th battalion rugby league carnival, 2018.

Jacob Houghton flying high - Devils gympie Devils v Kawana, 2018

Proudly suPPorted by these generous sPonsors

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Sunshine Coast Junior rugby league Information supplied by the club

The Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League has come a long way since its inception in 1970. Back in the day, our league had just five clubs but today, it has grown to have 13.

In 2013, the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League commenced its girls only competition. It was the start of a new era for the league and something we’ve never looked back on.

Our clubs consist of Beachmere, Beerwah, Bribie Island, Caboolture, Caloundra, Coolum, Gympie, Kawana, Maroochydore, Nambour, Noosa, Palmwoods and Stanley River.

In 2018, we signed ex-Bronco player Jack Reed as our development officer. Jack has been travelling to all clubs on the Sunshine Coast with the assistance of our NRL development officers Steve Belsham and Amy Bock. The team have been assisting club coaches to help develop our players and enhance their skills. Jack also oversees the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League Representative Program for U13s to under 16s (both girl’s and boys’ teams).

In 2018, there were over 220 teams playing rugby league each weekend in our league and this year, we are hosting over 230 teams - all enjoying the greatest game on earth.

We currently have two divisions in each grade from U13s to U16s.

With the emphasis of the game centred around having fun, developing skills and being non-competitive from U6s to U12s.

Our league welcomes girls who can play in mixed teams from U6s to U12s to later join girls only teams from U14s onwards. We are proud to include girls into our local competition, as not long ago these families were travelling all the way to Brisbane just to get their run on the field.

However, our biggest accolade is the City-Country Carnival hosted each year in Coolum. This gives kids from Western Queensland and Far North Queensland the opportunity to travel to a coastal town and play rugby league. For some kids, this is the first time they will ever see the ocean. The carnival is played in the true spirit of rugby league - fun and mateship.

In 2019, the Sunshine Coast will host the State Junior Rugby League Carnival for boys U14s, U16s and the girls U14s and U16s

We currently have two divisions in each grade from U13s to U16s.

With the emphasis of the game centred around having fun, developing skills and being non-competitive from U6s to U12s competitions. Teams from the Northern Division, Central Division and two teams in each grade in the South-East Division will converge at Kawana from July 4 to 7.

We are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to host this competition and can’t wait to watch our players shine against these strong oppositions.

Rugby league has truly come a long way on the Sunshine Coast.

And our forefathers would be proud of what we have achieved from their humble beginnings.

About the club Club Established 1970 President Peter o’leary Treasurer Honi Higgins Secretary matt sherry Registrar marree thompson W

the nambour and Maroochydore juniors played an exhibition match at half time during the falcons and Png Hunters rugby league game at the sunshine Coast stadium. nambour's travis tatnell looks to pass, 2018

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

What’s a game without great refs?

Information supplied by the club

The Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League Referees Association was founded in 1970 by stalwart John Darcy.

In 1985, the Junior Referees Association amalgamated and was renamed the Sunshine Coast and Gympie Rugby League Referees Association by a small group of members who had commenced refereeing as a hobby birthed from their love of the game.

In 2008, the late Richard Johnston, a member who contributed significantly to the development of referees on the Sunshine Coast, founded the Wide Bay Talent Squad. It compromised the region’s most talented referees. Ones who had shown dedication, commitment, skill and a positive attitude towards a career in refereeing.

The association was mainly dominated by male members until 1982, when two female members, Linda Warren and Leanne Smith joined the ranks. In their exams they scored higher than most of their male counterparts and they became the first female members to officiate rugby league on the Sunshine Coast.

Today this squad continues but it’s now known as the Referee Development Program. It mentors and showcases junior members who are on the pathway of officiating at a state level.

This program ensures referees are educated, upskilled and strive to be the best they can, on and off the field. Not just as referees but also people.

A typical weekend in the 1980s for referees began with a long morning officiating the junior sides, followed by a jam-packed afternoon refereeing the senior leagues. For no more than a pie and a can of coke, these referees would work 12-hour days without a break.

The club has a total of 13 members who officiate at a state level with the Queensland Referees High Performance Unit in the Intrust Super Cup, State under 20s and the Mal Meninga U18 competitions.

As each year went on, the association grew larger. In 1972 there were no more than 12 referees in the club but fast forward to today in 2019, we have over 250 match officials.

Members of the association are also very proud of Peter Gough, who has gone on to make this once considered “weekend hobby” into a full-time job as an officiator in the NRL full-time squad.

1982

For no more than a pie and a can of coke, these referees would work 12-hour days without a break.

The association has 22 life members who have dedicated their time and shown commitment to the growth and expansion of the club. Some of these members have been around since the establishment of the association.

1980

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Sunshine Coast & Gympie Rugby League Referees Association thanks its sponsors for their support in 2019 SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Sunshine Coast Falcons rlFC Information supplied by the club

The State League Falcons Football Club was first formed in 2005 with the intention to begin playing in the Former Origin Greats League (FOGS) and the FOGS Colts U20’s competition.

At the invitation of the Brisbane Rugby League, the club entered a senior team and a Colts U20’s team in the then second tier competition of South East Queensland.

The Falcons were established with a plan to eventually play in the State League Queensland Cup, so it could provide a pathway for Sunshine Coast junior players to reach higher levels of the game.

The coach of the first senior team was Des Allen and the first Colts coach was Brad Henderson. While Peter Boyce sat as the first Chairman and Don Oxenham as the first CEO. The Falcons club remained in this competition for three years before it was accepted into the top tier of the Queensland Cup State League Competition in 2009.

The team entered into a feeder team agreement with the Manly Sea Eagles before the start of the 2009 Queensland Cup season. This event saw the re-naming of the Falcons to become the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.

Up and coming Manly young guns of the time such as Daly CherryEvans, Trent Hodkinson and Tony Williams would regularly fly to the

Sunshine Coast each weekend to play for the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.

Coached by Brandon Costin the Sea Eagles went on to win the 2009 Queensland Cup premiership in their debut season with a 32 – 18 win over the Northern Pride.

In 2010, the Sea Eagles were knocked out during the semi-finals and at the end of this season the feeder affiliation with the Sea Eagles sadly ended. This was due to a ruling from NSWRL that banned NSW teams from affiliating with QLD clubs.

Without a feeder team alliance and full time players the Club struggled through the 2011 – 2013 seasons.

In 2014, in consultation with local league representatives, the Sea Eagles changed their name back to the Falcons to re-align with the local Sunshine Coast representative sides. The club once again began to feed its excess players into the local SCGRL competition to help build the local A-grade competition.

A new NRL feeder team deal was signed between the Falcons and the Melbourne Storm during the 2014 season that is still running today.

The deal has already seen three local juniors signed to full time contracts with the Storm. Current NRL stars such as Suliasi Vunivalu, Curtis Scott, Joey Stimson, Jahrome Hughes first earnt their stripes

sunshine Coast falcons v Capras, 2018

playing for the Falcons.

At the start of the 2015 season, the Falcons also signed on with major partners Vantage Homes and Vantage Building Group. In the last four years, the support of this company has helped the club excel through its sponsorship of the local Sunshine Coast Gympie A-grade Competition.

In 2016, the Vantage Homes Falcons finished third in the Intrust Super Cup, after getting knocked out in the grand final qualifier. However, the club stayed strong and signaled to its rivals that it would be a strong returning force the following year.

In 2017, the Falcons were back and flying high. The team made it all the way to the grand final at Suncorp Stadium against the PNG Hunters.

The Falcons got off to a blistering start, but the PNG Hunters were relentless and scored a try in the last minute of the game to beat the Falcons 12-10 in front of the crowd of 11,000.

In 2019, the Falcons head into the season with a new coach Eric Smith as well as a raft of new player signings looking to go one better than the 2017 result!

About the club Club Established 2005 CEO Chris Flannery Chairman ashley robinson Treasurer neil Cooke Directors alan marr, gordon oakes, Kane stegman, Kerrod Walters, tim Howard P

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www.scfalcons.com.au sunshinecoastfalcons

Captain Dane Hogan in action, 2018

The Vantage Homes Falcons would like to thank their 2019 Major Sponsors

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Beachmere pelicans rlFC Information supplied by the club

Here at the Beachmere Rugby League Football Club we have a proud 26-year history.

In 1992, a group of locals pioneered the club’s beginning. These individuals were Greg Slack, Ken and Noela Richards, Ken Lynch and Noel Gallagher (a former captain of Australia).

Over the years we’ve had many incredible players, supporters and volunteers walk through the doors of our club. However, special mention goes to Ken and Noela Richards, Steve Harvey, Frank Harvey, Ian (Stumpy) Connelly, Steve Brown and Danny Dawes.

These members have made every person involved with this club (past and present) feel like family.

Here at Beachmere we are a tight-knit community and rugby league is at the heart of our town.

The most important value to us is inclusiveness. We want every player, regardless of their experience or level, to feel a part of the team and club culture.

2018

While we’ve been lucky to have many wins over the years, nothing stands out more than the 2003 grand final win led by coach Steve Brown.

Pete Hoppers now watches his three sons run onto the field, just as he once did.

Our current coach and president Scott Craig is the longest standing member of the club. Having been a member for the last 22 years, 20 of those being on the field. Thanks to the dedication of Scott and his talented assistant coach Greg Willis, the Beachmere Pelicans were able to make it to the 2018 grand final after coming last in the competition in both 2017 and 2016.

Every season, our club eagerly awaits the Chonga Cup. The game is played against the Kilcoy Yowies. The significant yearly match commemorates Adam (Chonga) Collins who was a young player that was loved by all. The Cup always brings out fierce passion and emotion, even for the players who never met Chonga.

Beachmere has had some great players over the years who have made the Hall of Fame. These players include; David Sheppard, Danny Dawes, Grant Young, Shawn Gallagher, Grant Bretherton, Rob Estreich, Gavin Hancock, Darren Stapelton, Troy (Bluey) Wareham.

Last year, we secured the minor premiership and with our current young stock and promising talent, this performance is only expected to enhance in upcoming seasons.

After 26 years, we are now starting to see the next generation of players come through the ranks of the club. Beachmere legend

Each year we continue to grow in numbers both on and off the field.

Our supporters are some of the most passionate on the Coast and you can always tell when Beachmere is around because you’ll hear the cries of Pelican Pride.

We want to give a big thank you to our 2019 major sponsor: Superior Homes as well as our minor sponsors: Beachmere Health Centre, Beachmere Tavern, Smick Concrete Pumping, Mernin Constructions, Robson & Robson Properties, Bendigo Bank and the Caboolture Sports Club.

About the club Club Established 1992 President scott Craig Treasurer alana Cantrell P

0418 977 948 Beachmereseniorrugbyleague

BUILDERS OF DISTINCTION At Superior Homes, we appreciate that building a w house is the biggest investment one can make in their new resspective lifetime. We therefore respect the importance & trusst placed in our company by working only with the finest tradespeople with high attention to detail.

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This is the secret to our success.

Proud sponsors of the

Beachmere Pelicans

Contact Peter Coffin 0419 652 302 C superiorhomesqld.com.au Check us out on Facebook

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Beachmere pelicans JrlFC Information supplied by the club

Beachmere JRLC was founded in 2003 as a place for the locals to call their "own."

services to the game as well as the achievement of significant growth over a short period of time.

From small and humble beginnings with no resources or basic infrastructure, Beachmere JRLC has always been a club that prides itself on providing a home for our local kids who have a love of rugby league.

Through the ongoing support and assistance provided by local businesses including Palm Lake Resort Beachmere, Southern Pacific Sands, North Harbour, Keystar Automotive, B&L Steel and Beachmere Hotel, we have been blessed with the ability to align with businesses who share our beliefs in community sport.

Our club has been heavily involved in the ongoing growth of rugby league within our community, with major renovations to our clubhouse, field and infrastructure to give our players and families a facility they can be proud of.

Over the last 10 seasons, our club has been at the forefront of growing both boy’s and girl’s rugby league and we’ve established a prominent place in the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League.

Through the drive and passion of long standing, loyal and dedicated volunteers such as life members John Holmes, Michael Crouch, Corinne Lovi, Brad Stretton, Rebecca Harrison and Keith Hayes, the standards and operations of our club both an on and off field have improved immensely. This was recognised in 2015 with a Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League award that was presented to us for our

Since 2010, through fundraising, grants, government support and club funds, we’ve been able to commission facility upgrades exceeding $500,000. This has transformed our home field into one of the best playing surfaces on the Sunshine Coast.

captain Dane Hogan and Ex Brisbane Broncos U20 and Intrust Cup player Tristian Lumley. Recent players including Cameron Saunders and Hunter Smallhorn are currently working their way through the developmental Hastings Deering Colts competition, with ambitions to make their mark on the ISC in the near future.

Our club was founded on good old-fashioned values such as hard work, family spirit and a love of rugby league. With the development of players being our driving focus and fostering a large range of player ability, Beachmere JRLC prides itself on being a club for the people.

We give everyone and anyone an opportunity to play this great game. u7

Beachmere JRLC currently has several Falcons representative players and players in NRL development teams. Club captain Brendan Siebuhr, who led the highly talented Beachmere U16s last season, is a current Mal Meninga U18 player. Brendan has held a number of Queensland and Central Division representative positions throughout his junior career. And in 2017, he was awarded the 2017 James Ackerman trophy for Sunshine Coast Player of the Year.

Our club embraces past players such as current Sunshine Coast Falcon

u16 boys

u18 girls

About the club Club Established 2003 President John Holmes P

0409 214 146

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beachmerejrlc@hotmail.com

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www.beachmerepelicans.leaguenet.com.au beachmerepelicansjrlc

Beachmere JRLC Proudly Supported By

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Beerwah Bulldogs rlFC Information supplied by the club

Beerwah Bulldogs inaugural year was 1979 when we fielded senior teams in the Sunshine Coast Rugby League competition.

Our juniors have provided many representative players, including two NRL players, Mark Page and Reed Mahoney.

Lloyd Ratcliffe, Manuel Armesto, Morrie Jones, Richard Tweedale, Rhondda Stevens, Ross Stevens, Sandra Ratcliffe and Sylvia Jones.

Our first A-Grade coach was Tony Law in 1980. 1982 saw us join the Sunshine Coast Junior Competition.

In recent times our senior teams have struggled but we still managed to claim our first Senior Premiership in 2013 in C Grade, went back to back in 2014 and a number of junior titles.

Thanks to everyone that has been involved throughout the history of the Beerwah Bulldogs as we look forward to the future of our great club and game.

1986 was a breakout year for the club by reaching the A Grade grand final but we went down to a classy Caboolture outfit. Two years later the club was able to claim its first A Grade trophy by winning the inaugural John Garrahey Shield.

We made the A Grade grand final again in 1989 and we competed well against another classy team in the Brisbane Bronco Colts. Going down to a team that included future stars such as Willie Carne, Paul Hauff, John Plath, Alan Cann and Bob Conway.

1989 also was the year of our first grand final success, with our under 13s winning their grand final.

Grant Young returned to the club after playing NRL and for New Zealand. He lead us to the 2004 grand final only to go down to the Nambour Crushers.

Our club is also very supportive of girls and women’s game and are extremely proud to have Annette Brander, Sarah Walker and Tegan Rolfe play for the Australian team.

beerwah bulldogs and australian representative player annette brander

2018 saw our A Grade team near the top of the table all year, only to be beaten on the bell in the grand final.

Whilst not having a lot of silverware in our cabinet, we are proud of the fact we provide a great club for players and supporters from juniors and seniors to enjoy the game of rugby league.

Over our journey we have had a number of very valuable contributors to our club but special mentions must go to our life members. Members include; Walter “Blue” Brabon, Carl Liesegang, Dennis “Slim” Moroney, Edna Griffiths, Errol Kleinhans, Gary Grice, Greg Pill, Joe Bray, Kay Jones,

reed Mahoney with parents leanne and glenn after his nrl debut, 2018 Photo: ben Cuevas

About the club Club Established 1979 President lee robertson Treasurer Kylie Bickford Secretary roxanne Corkin SNR VP glenn tomokino Jnr VP andrew Pearce P

0433 549 151

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www.beerwahbulldogs.leaguenet.com.au BeerwahBulldogsrlFC

long serving player Daniel grice in the grand final v Maroochydore, 2018

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Bribie island Warrigals rlFC Information supplied by the club

It was the early 70s and the game of league had well and truly taken off in nearby regions like Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. A few guys wanted to play but didn’t want to travel across the bridge for every training session. So, with the help of local island businessmen they bought a set of black and yellow jerseys and established a new club and thus future legacy.

At first, Bribie Island played in the Brisbane commercial league and let’s be honest, we got belted every week.

At the time Phil Balmer was the president and some of the significant players of the period were Allan Barraud, Ken Piva, Bruce Brennan, Ray O’Brien, Mick Lovell, Roy Barruad and Aldo Loi. By 1974, the club had lost momentum and there was no team.

However, a bunch of these mentioned players were already hooked on the game, so they signed themselves up to play for nearby Caboolture.

This sparked interest in the game for many local lads on the island, and in 1975 the Bribie Warrigals were formed. For nine years the club

played in the Brisbane Metropolitan League.

Matt Gillett and Jack Reed are just some of these greats.

With the arrival of Doug Drew fresh from Brisbane A-grade in 1978, the club tasted its first experience of success. We won a series of minor trophies but unfortunately no premierships.

A lot of hard work and hard decisions have been made to keep the Warrigals a successful club throughout this proud history. Our club wants to thank all the people who have been involved, past and present, for making us who we are today.

It was in 1983 when we first joined the Sunshine Coast League and because of the clash of club colours with Caloundra, we changed ours to the colours we proudly represent today; blue, white and black.

Heading into the new millennium we began to build up our reputation.

In 1999, the club won the A-grade and reserve grade finals. In 2001, we again won the A-grade final under coach Rick Horsburgh. In 2003 and 2004 we won two under 19 premierships as well as two Club Championships. In 2010, Bribie won the C-grade grand final and in 2013 had a great year with A-grade runners up in the grand final whilst the reserve grade came away with the minor premiership.

Over the last 46 years, there have been many outstanding players that have graced our club walls. Nev Draper, Peter Clarke, Gary Waldon, the Lamb brothers, Bevan Canning, Paul Byrne and Ben Roedder,

bribie island Warrigal’s Danny Dean tackling Kawana’s tyson rose, 2015

Warrigals v Caloundra, 2014

bribie Warrigals premiership team, 1980

About the club Club Established 1973 President Kirk Crouch Treasurer Corey Hay Registrar Brooke overton P

0411 740 039

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www.websites.sportstg.com

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Bribie island Warrigals JrlFC Information supplied by the club

The Bribie Island Junior Rugby League Club was Established in 1982. In the beginning we were only one team, consisting of a combined year level - of under 7s, 8s, 9s, 10s, 11s and 12's.

The club has certainly come a long way from the days when the whole team were hauled in the back of an electrician's van to travel to their games. Today, as the Sunshine Coast competition’s most southern team, we boast over 250 registered players. Fielding teams from under 6s to under 16s.

Our founding committee members were Lois Harvey, Graeme Daunt, Bobby Hunter, Sandra and Graham Humphries, Brian Deizmann as well as Alan and Ann Barraud. Many of these members are still involved with the club today. It is great to see their grandsons and granddaughters now playing for the very same club they founded.

Over the years, many of the Bribie Island juniors have made representative teams with the talent in our present teams continuing to do so. Bribie Junior Warrigals have a proud history and a great relationship with the Bribie Island Senior Rugby League Club. We provide a positive pathway for our juniors to progress their skill and

love for the game throughout their entire life.

members, committee members, volunteers and sponsors we’ve had over the past 37 years.

Bribie Island is an island community only an hour north of Brisbane.

The atmosphere on the island is friendly, supportive and the residents embrace the many first-class sporting facilities we host with enthusiasm. This positive culture is transferred to our everyday life here at the club.

Our club has excellent all-weather fields and over the last five years has completed extensions and renovations to The Warrigals Club.

With the addition of new field lights, grandstands, commentators’ box and a new score board. Our aim is to ensure we have one of the best rugby league facilities on the Sunshine Coast.

By either sponsoring or donating your time and expertise, it all counts.

Through your generosity the kids on the island have the opportunity to play the greatest game on earth! team meeting

The mission statement of the Bribie Island Junior Rugby League Club is to promote, foster and encourage children from all backgrounds regardless of religion, race, disability or wealth, to safely participate and enjoy the sport of rugby league. And we are also looking to welcome new members to our clan.

Finally, we would also like to say a huge “thank you” to the many life

a bribie player breaks free from the opposition

About the club Club Established 1982 President Phil Ware Vice President Brooke overton Treasurer alan Brooks Secretary nattalie De rossi Registrar sandy Crouch Coaching Coordinator tim o'Connor P

0414 582 779

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www.websites.sportstg.com

Bribieisland&DistrictsJuniorrugbyleagueClub

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the Warrigals take on Kawana

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Caloundra Sharks rlFC Information supplied by the club

Rugby League has long been a fixture of the Caloundra sporting landscape with the formation of the Caloundra Seagulls in 1947.

with Mark Lynagh and Glen Irwin coaching the Caloundra club back to the top of the competition in 2002.

Wearing blue and white for club colours and on a field behind the old Francis Hotel at Shelly Beach, the team first played in 1948 against other teams including Brisbane Tramways, Stanley River, Woodford, Cooroy, Gympie, Kenilworth, Maroochydore and Maleny.

The wait for premierships four and five would not prove to be so long, with the Sharks claiming a win in 2009 and 2014.

change but that culture of team work, community involvement and desire to succeed are what have seen us to today and will see us into tomorrow.

The coming years hold exciting opportunities for the club.

Tinonee Oval (which means home of the shark) will see further works to improve spectator amenity and will allow stronger engagement with the Caloundra Junior Rugby League in seeking to bring todays’ juniors on as tomorrows Caloundra Sharks Senior Rugby league players.

The 1970’s saw many changes to the league, with a name change and the inclusion of new teams across the Coast.

The longevity and ultimate success of the Caloundra Sharks across all three grades at the club is a demonstration of the passion for rugby league in Caloundra and the support offered to the club over generations.

The Caloundra Sharks and the Maroochydore club joined the league in 1973.

Like any club, Caloundra has had it heavy weights supporters, players and volunteers.

Maybe a consequence of joining the competition at the same time or simply the proximity of the two towns, the rivalry between Caloundra and Maroochydore has been long standing and endures to this day.

Names such as Shaw, Dwyer, Reddy, Lynagh, Alcorn, Irwin, Welch have been fixtures around the club with these names appearing on player lists and club members across generations

Big crowds, intense clashes and fierce battles are a hallmark of this ongoing rivalry.

The past, albeit full of proud and memorable accomplishments, is just that.

The Caloundra Rugby League Club has been a fixture in Caloundra for 45 years.

Lead by John Reddy, the Caloundra Sharks would break through for their first premiership in 1981 and go on to defend the title in 1982.

Something to be remembered, to cherish, but most importantly something to build on for the future.

Many support an NRL team but your local team is where rugby league is at its most pure; where players play for the love of the game.

It would be the next millennium before success would be tasted again

Times change, community, supporters and players expectations

Make the Caloundra Sharks your team.

former player Jack bagley, remembers the good old days with his great grandson taj bagley and senior sharks player ben Marshall.

richard salu makes an offload after a great run

The club will see the opening of a new restaurant in time for the 2019 season.

With the focus on quality food and a comfortable atmosphere, the club seeks to build a family venue to enjoy rugby league from.

About the club Club Established 1973 President ian Welch Treasurer Col Host Registrar nina grigg P

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www.caloundrasharks.com

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Caloundra Sharks JrlFC Information supplied by the club

Caloundra Junior Rugby League Club was established on June 4, 1970, after a meeting held at the home of former Caloundra City Council mayor Des Dwyer.

Many of our players over the years have successfully competed in the NRL at the highest level, including the current Sunshine Coast deputy mayor Tim Dwyer.

At this meeting foundation members were elected and our club entered the local competition with just one junior team, the Caloundra Gold Tops.

Since the clubhouse opened, a lot has been added to the facilities.

New change rooms, score boards, team benches, field lighting, car parks and a recent renovation of the clubhouse’ interior ensures our club offers the best of the best.

By 1981 the club had grown to five teams and new fields were leased from the then Landsborough Shire Council. Between 1983 and 1984 a new clubhouse (which still stands today) was built with the help of volunteer labourers and a $10,000 grant from the council.

The official opening of the building on August 1, 1984, was officiated by the then Australian captain “The King” Wally Lewis. It was a monumental event as several State of Origin players such as Gene Miles, Greg Dowling, Chris Close, Bob Linder, Colin Scott Wynnum Manly and coach Des Morris attended.

u10s gold tops Juniors, 1974

In recent times, the number of registered players has significantly increased. The 2018 season saw a 25 per cent increase in junior registration with around 450 players. With a lot of those new players coming through the door being female. For the last two years we’ve hosted the State All Girls Rugby League Challenge successfully.

The club wouldn’t be where it is today without past and current volunteers, players, committees and sponsors. You have all contributed to make the Caloundra Rugby League Junior Club what it is today.

We pride ourselves in providing a family-friendly, positive environment to ensure all junior players and parents enjoy their time at the club. We often host fundraising and social events such as the annual “Pig Day Out.” This fun event raises money for both our club as well as Variety – a children’s charity helping kids in need.

We are very excited for the future of our club and are currently in negotiation with the Sunshine Coast Council to develop a third full size

2017 grandfinalists

u7 grey - beanies for brain Cancer

About the club Club Established 1970 President Cameron Herbert Treasurer tina Ward Secretary Jess tedeschi P

0438 762 286

CaloundrasharksJuniorrugbyleagueClub

ARB Caloundra • Dave Warry Plumping • Cronau Enterprises • AJ Plastering • Brocky’s Fabricating Art Bathrooms • Copeley’s Painters • Fox Plumbing • Blue Dog Training • Kawana Auto Wreckers Cloud Nine Real Estate • Barker Contracting • Select Flooring • Russell’s Tiling Solutions Smart Garage Doors & Gates • RLSP • Skyrise Scaffolding • Swain Family Meats • SMP Pty Ltd Birdbuilt Constructions • Pro Water & Flame • Kurt Venning Electrical • Suncoast Haulage Next Generation Pet Foods • Pavitt Earthmoving • JHM Bricklaying SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

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The first few years of training and games were held at the Caloundra State High School but as the club expanded, a new site was needed to accommodate the extra members and players.

field. In 2019 we are thriving, player numbers are increasing, current players are getting selected for representative teams and we are producing quality junior referees. But above all, our junior footballers are loving their footy which to us is the most important thing.

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Caboolture Snakes rlFC Information supplied by the club

Caboolture Snakes Rugby League Club has a long and proud history, this year celebrating our 72nd year of participating in the greatest game of all.

It is generally agreed that the formation of the Caboolture Rugby League Football Club occurred in 1947, even though social games were held prior to World War II. It was attributed to a number of rugby league enthusiasts in the town but was led by the relentless Bob Day. With his initiative and financial backing from the Salisbury Bakery, the Royal Hotel and other local business’, he was able to get a full fledgling club up and running.

Bob was a railway worker and was generous in dedicating his time and efforts towards the betterment of the game in Caboolture. He was a club delegate to the Sandgate and Murrumba district and North Coast Leagues between 1947 - 1953 and 1955 - 1963.

Bob, his brother Pat and their wives Minnie and Dolly became well known among locals for their efforts with fundraising, food preparation and sales for the club.

In recognition of his commitment and long service to the Snakes, Caboolture’s home ground at the Caboolture Community Sports Complex was named after him. Following his untimely passing in 1978, Bob’s ashes were spread over Caboolture’s home ground at Centenary Lakes.

The Caboolture Snakes entered the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League in 1982 with immediate impact, taking out the premiership in 1984 and 1986 (also taking the reserve grade honours in that year). The Snakes took another title in 1994 before falling upon some tough financial times. The next decade was the toughest period in the Snakes history having a brief stint re-branded as the Caboolture Tigers and stepping away from the A-grade competition for several seasons.

two senior men’s teams, two under 18s and our pioneering women’s team, who took out the inaugural Sunshine Coast and Gympie Women’s premiership.

With a large, growing junior base nurtured by a successful junior club and great support from the local Caboolture community, the Snakes are well placed to continue their success in rugby league for many years to come.

The way the mighty Snakes fought to survive during this tough ten-season stretch, is indicative of the fighting spirit of the club and a testament to the loyal club stalwarts of the time. The Snakes reentered in all grades in 2005 and since then have been a mainstay of the Sunshine Coast and Gympie Competition.

Today, our club is one of the largest on the Coast. In 2018, it boasted

Caboolture snakes ladies team celebrate after winning the inaugural sunshine Coast/gympie Women’s grand final in 2018

on the attack against beerwah

About the club Club Established 1947 President raymond totoro Treasurer leigh-ann Davies and Janine Carstens Registrar teena ryder P

0427 637 929

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www.cabooltureseniors.sportingpulse.net caboolturesnakesseniorrugbyleagueclub

Mitchell buckett evades a beerwah defender as Joshua totoro looks on in support

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Caboolture Snakes JrlFC Information supplied by the club

Caboolture Junior Rugby League Club is situated in the picturesque parklands of Centenary Lakes. We are proud to boast that we have one of the best sports grounds on the Coast. Through the dedication and support of the Moreton Regional Council and our valued volunteers, members and players, the Caboolture Junior Rugby League Club is second to none.

The Caboolture Snakes Juniors have been playing since 1967, originally starting out in the Brisbane Rugby League Competition. It wasn’t until 1982 when junior and senior clubs agreed to join the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League.

In 2019, the club will field sides in every age group of boys from U6 to U16 and Girls U14 and U16. From humble beginnings to 2018, where the club had 435 registered players and won the 2018 Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League Club Aggregate Trophy and the Club Champions Trophy. We’ve come a long way.

Through out the years, many juniors have gone on to play at the highest level. The most recent is former Broncos and England international Jack Reed. In 2004 Jack was the club captain and is currently involved in junior development on the Coast with his role at the Broncos and Mooloolaba Surf Club. Below is a list of some of

u15 player tyson Keft makes a break against noosa Pirates, 2018

our juniors who played NRL, Queensland Cup and Australian and Queensland Schoolboys level. This is not all but indicative of the talent at our club.

Juniors WHo PlayeD nrl fixtures or trials • • • • • • •

Glen Haggath – Canterbury Bulldogs Trent Clayton – Sydney Roosters Paul Aiton – Penrith & Cronulla Jack Reed- Brisbane Broncos Mitch Buckett – South Sydney Paul Ivan – Brisbane Broncos Corey Horsburgh – Current Canberra Raider 2019 30-man squad

Juniors WHo PlayeD Q CuP leVel • • • •

australian sCHoolboys • David Simpson 1988 • Trent Clayton 1999 & Junior Kangaroos 2000 QlD sCHoolboys • David Simpson 1988 • Trent Clayton 1999 Apologies to the many other great players in our club who have made Queensland under age sides, however, space is limited to include all.

The last mention goes to former junior Braydon Trindall who just recently took part in the Queensland QAS Under 20 Development Squad. Braydon is now at Cronulla Sharks and was player of the match in the 2018 Jersey Flegg Grand Final. Braydon has trained all summer with the NRL squad and recently made his NRL debut in the Sharks first trial game in 2019 against Manly.

Glen Haggath – Ipswich Jets Mitch Buckett – Wynnum Seagulls Jack Reed – Norths Devils Dalton Phillips – Redcliffe, Mackay Cutters & Norths Devils

• Paul Ivan – Redcliffe & Sunshine Coast Falcons • Pat McPherson – Redcliffe & Norths Devils

u15 player ezra Wainohu pulls the defence of noosa Pirates, 2018

About the club Club Established 1967 President teena ryder Treasurer rachel simpson Registrar teena ryder Secretary melisa Clyne and Jessica tiananga P

5499 1088

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www. gosnakes.sportingpulse.net Caboolture-snakes-Junior-rugbyleague-Club

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Coolum Colts rlFC Information supplied by the club

The Coolum Colts Junior Rugby League Club was established in 1988 and we played our first game the following year.

In 2019, we celebrate 30 years in the Sunshine Coast Rugby League – and what a time it’s been.

The club had humble beginnings and played at several locations around Coolum until 1998, when we obtained a formal lease for its current facilities at the Coolum-Peregian Sports Complex.

Currently boasting 250 juniors from under U6s to U16s as well as 50 senior players, Coolum is a club on the rise.

We pride ourselves on our strong history providing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate in rugby league.

Exchange. The carnival is an opportunity for young players from all over western Queensland to come and play rugby, whilst experiencing the amazing beaches the Sunshine Coast has on offer. The carnival is a huge success and it’s a great way to bring different rugby league communities together.

premiership as well as the grand final after only losing three games all year.

This senior side is predominately filled with former Coolum juniors, which is a great reflection of our club’s culture, family-based values and the strong connection we hold with our juniors.

Coolum’s senior history began in the late 90s with affiliate senior teams playing in the C-grade competitions. These teams were not fixtures in the leagues until the mid-2000s when the Coolum senior teams officially aligned back with the junior club.

This was the start of a very successful period for the senior Coolum team, playing in five grand finals in eight years and winning three of them.

Our junior club has experienced a long history of success in minor premierships and grand final wins. Many of its players have gone on to represent Queensland and even Australia at the junior level.

After a brief hiatus, Coolum’s senior side joined the Sunshine Coast Rugby League division 2A competition in 2017. It was an epic comeback as the side was able to make the preliminary final in this first year.

The Coolum Colts also host the Annual Glyn Rees City Country Cultural

In 2018, the team went one-step further winning the minor

About the club Club Established 1988 President Joshua olsen Vice President stuart murdoch Treasurer Kylie gray Secretary louise roby P

0476 066 506

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www. coolumcolts.leaguenet.com.au coolumcoltsrl

2018 Division two Premiers

Thanks To all our sponsors

FBC

www.coolumcolts.leaguenet.com.au 6943259aa

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

gympie Devils rlFC

Information supplied by the club

From a small rural farming community, the Gympie region has produced some extraordinary rugby league players that have gone on to play for Queensland and Australia, and the expedition continues to nurture and discover future talent.

After the demise of The Wanderers, Suburbs, Rainbows and Brothers, the Gympie Cooloola Devils Rugby League Club formed in 1997. However, the side did not join the Sunshine Coast competition until 1998.

From as early as 1908 the Gympie Rugby League Competition was very strong, hosting four competitive sides; The Wanderers, Suburbs, Rainbows and Brothers.

A committee was formed by a combination of seniors and juniors and Glen Hogan and Andrew Lawrence established a good foundation for the Gympie region to become a competitive force in rugby league once again.

Whilst many teams were competitive and played seriously against each other, the overall culture of the competition centred around ‘mateship’.

Over the past 20 years, the Gympie Devils have produced some outstandingly talented players and have been successful in winning several premierships.

One year, after a very tough grand final between the Wanderers and the Brothers, the Brothers side decided to celebrate the game with a couple of kegs at the Gympie Showgrounds. Later that evening the Wanderers joined the party and both sides contested their club spirit in a singing competition. Whilst they were competitors, they were still mates.

We have been very fortunate to have dedicated people who commit to ensuring the club continues to operate for all players coming through.

With the addition of A Grade, Reserve Grade, U18s and Women’s, Devil’s home games will have plenty to offer.

Devils' members enjoy free entry to home games, a club polo shirt, stubby cooler, half time prize draws and access to our members only social events. Supporters can become a member for just $100. To find out more contact Darren Burns on 0412 809 108.

Over the years Gympie had a strong competition, which involved several notable Cups. Most of these cups are displayed in the Gympie Devils clubhouse.

The cups include; The Charity Cup (originated from rugby union when the competition folded and moved to rugby league), The 47th Battalion Shield, Recreation Cup, Coronation Cup and Coop Cup.

The Gympie Devils want your support as they continue to build towards a successful 2019 season.

Jake Harney, Joelene scott and sam brennan

About the club Club Established 1997 President mitch Hillcoat Treasurer tanya moessinger Registrar neridah Hillcoat P

0410 891 436

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www.gympiedevils.com.au gympieDevilsrugbyleague

The Gympie Devils want your support as they continue to build towards a successful 2019 season With the addition of a our Division 2 / Reserve grade, U18’s & Women’s’ teams this year, Devils home games will have plenty to offer. Become a Devils member today enjoy free entry to home games, Club Polo shirt, stubby cooler and a half-time prize draw and a member only social event all for only $100.

Contact Darren Burns 0412 809 108 OUR TEAM OUR TOWN 6945109aa

President - Mitch Hillcoat 0410 891 436 | Division A Coach - Michael Buckley 0407 890 405

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

gympie Devils JrlFC Information supplied by the club

As all league enthusiasts will know, Gympie "the town that saved Queensland" has a long and proud history, being one of the state’s first centres for the game in the early 1900 hundreds. With this long history, the junior game in Gympie has many different meanings to people, depending on when they were involved with the sport.

Gympie junior league has taken on various forms over the years, like the very strong school’s competition held on Friday afternoons where many young talents were discovered. During these days a strong competitive nature was established between players from Gympie High and The Christian Brothers (the two oldest high schools in Gympie). Then there were the years of Sunday Club. Where our Under 15 and Under 18 boys played with the senior teams.

Our club continues to grow and foster the development of rugby league. We have players spreading from the western hills of Kilkivan, out through the picturesque Mary Valley to the coastal communities of Rainbow and Tin Can Bay. Unlike our coastal friends, many families travel vast distances to enjoy their games.

Our home ground - Albert Park is a historical landmark and has been

a home for rugby league players for many years. We hold Friday night games here and have proudly hosted many junior state carnivals.

Others will remember playing on the One Mile ovals back when the dump was still next door. These grounds were often associated with the former Gympie Suburbs Club who had their clubhouse right next door.

The Jack Stokes Oval is the heartland of the Gympie Junior Devils. Our Saturday morning international games are played at this facility and it also accommodates other sports and events.

Many families have contributed to make our club what it is today.

Names such as Barr, Haack, Creed, Murray, Pratt, Tierney, Pearce, Brennan , Hooper, Cartwright, Lehmann, Dodt, Daunt, Curran, Staines, Birmingham, Parr, Gosling, Usher, Hogan, Friske, Leitch, Williams, McCook, Frampton, Carlson, Jordan, O'Neill and not forgetting women such as Lyden, Mutton, Neal and Barnes to today's women Cheryll, Amanda, Carina, Debbie, Di and the list goes on and on. There are many other deserving names that could easily be listed above, however, space does not allow.

u14 girls - gympie Devils v Caboolture snakes, 2018

u15 boys - gympie Devils v beachmere Pelicans, 2018

Like all clubs were have had many boys and girls go onto higher representative duties at Wide Bay, CQ, state or schoolboy levels.

Again, there’s only a few names that can be mentioned. Players include Buchanan, O'Neill, Cartwright, Lehman, Birmingham, to our modern era of men such as Kris Kahler, Billy Rogers, Jake Harney and currently contracted players Jack Morris, (Parramatta) Carlin Anderson (Cowboys), and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Melbourne Storm).

One of our club's great qualities is the ability to encourage and support our young players to follow their dreams, and we will be here when they are ready to return home.

This year we field teams both boys and girls and would like to invite you to come along, play, volunteer, support our club and become part of our rugby league family.

Congratulations to the Sunshine Coast League on your 100 years of rugby league.

About the club Club Established 1982-83 President Ben Dore Vice President Darren Burns Secretary Carina Pyke Treasurer Dianne Blackwood Registrar Cheryll grubner P

5483 8284

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www.gympiejuniorrugbyleague.com gympieJuniorrugbyleague

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Gympie Junior Rugby League thanks our fantastic sponsors for all their support

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Kawana Dolphins rlFC Information supplied by the club

They were coached by Phil Duckworth and managed by Dave Smith and were initially known as the Kawana Broncos.

During 1993 and 1994 the Brisbane Broncos used our club as the base for its Colts and ended up winning the 1993 Sunshine Coast premiership.

The club changed its name to what we are known as today, the Kawana Dolphins, when the Brisbane Broncos moved to the Toowoomba Clydesdales in 1994.

However, we were still able to live up to our prestigious reputation by winning the 1995 premiership, defeating Nambour 6 - 0 in the grand final.

In 2001 the “legendary” Queensland State of Origin hero, Billy Moore, noted for his “Queenslander, Queenslander" motivational call, finished his rugby league career playing for Kawana.

a grade Premiers, 2015

closed artery in his brain and with another 50 per cent closed.

At the end of 2018 we farewelled our longest running coach, Rob Brough. He spent over 10 years with the Kawana Seniors, claiming numerous victories and inspiring up-and-coming talent.

He was the coach that brought the Dolphins to victory in 2012, their first win in more than 17 years.

Then again in 2013, he led the club to an 18-14 come-from-behind grand final victory over Bribie Sea Eagles.

Rob was a great mentor to the players and his passion for the Dolphins was infectious.

He was awarded life membership, not only at Kawana Rugby League but was also inducted into the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby league Hall of Fame.

One of the club’s most successful fundraising efforts was the Paul Cohen Fundraiser, which raised over $40,000 in 2017.

After experiencing a series of small strokes at the age of 35, a Kawana Rugby League legend Paul Cohen had been diagnosed with one

reserve grade Premiers, 2016

The community rallied together and organised a trial game between us and Maroochydore.

The Goldsworthy/Cohen Shield was presented at the end of the game in recognition of the two players who had contributed to their own clubs and to rugby league on the Sunshine Coast.

In 2019, we will again be a force to be reckoned with.

Former Penrith Panthers NRL player Andrew Hinson is making his presence as our new A-grade Coach.

The club is also excited for its first ever senior women’s rugby league team to begin playing this season, with Daniel Soloman as their coach.

Our club will continue to field three men’s teams and a women’s team in the senior grades of the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League competition.

About the club Club Established 1992 President greg ingram Vice Presidents mark Cohen and trevor Dunemann Secretary Bert scholten Treasurer matt Cohen

a grade Premiers, 2013

Registrar telsha Chaytor Sponsorship and Grants Officer matt Cohen Club Patron trevor Dunemann Falcons Liaison Officer Paul Cohen P

0411 350 179

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www. kawanadolphins.leaguenet.com.au kawana.rugbyleague

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The Kawana Senior Rugby League club was formed in 1992 as a second division team for the Brisbane Broncos.

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Kawana Dolphins JrlFC

Information supplied by the club

As we head into our 34th year (2019) our club boasts participation of over 420 junior players forming teams from U6s to Under U16s (including U14s and 16s girl teams).

We are a progressive club and pride ourselves on our members upholding the ideals of good sportsmanship, encouragement and fair play through rugby league.

Our committee is determined to ensure our members enjoy the benefits of a strong organisation, with a focus on player development and continued financial benefits for our players and supporters.

As rugby league and sport in general move forward into the 21st century, the Kawana Junior Dolphins Rugby League Club is aware of the ongoing changes needed to support growth, stay competitive and continue to attract new players, sponsors and supporters.

Our club is based at Kawana Sports Precinct on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. The Kawana Sports Precinct currently boasts four

international fields, one mod field, as well as plenty of training fields, a large clubhouse, canteen and ample parking.

A special general meeting of those interested in forming a rugby league club in the Kawana area was held on October 14, 1985 at the Kawana Surf Club. Grahame Schultz chaired the meeting, in which seventeen people attended. As a result, the Kawana Rugby League Club was born. (Kawana Juniors) The following persons were duly elected into the inaugural committee and must take great credit for the formation and existence of both the juniors and the seniors as they are today.

FIRST COMMITTEE President: Grahame Schultz, Vice president: David Jones Secretary: vacant, Treasurer: Jim Jones, Registrar: Glen Hilton Committee: Ray Isacson, Earl Woolley, Ian Sutherland, Grahame Barnes, Barbara McVay and Peter Ritchie.

u7 Maroons celebrate another fun day of footy, 2012

OUR NRL LINKS/ CLUB COLOUR CHANGE

In 1993 and 1994 the Brisbane Bronco’s used the Kawana Rugby League Club as their base for their Colts (The Kawana Bronco’s) and won the Sunshine Coast Competition in 1993.

It was after this period in the 1996 season that our club colours changed from red and white to the maroon, white and grey that we run today. The new colours represent the colours of the then operational Kawana Sports Club and of course the colour of our mascot, the Dolphin.

Players that have gone on to play professionally in NRL and State of Origin include; Chris Flannery, Casey McGuire, Adam Mogg, Tennyson Elliott, Todd Murphy, James Sumpton, Jordon Meads, Bronson Hoani, Tyson Andrews, Reed Mahoney, Connor Luhan and Tyson Smoothy.

About the club Club Established 1985 President roger Bretherton Treasurer rebecca thompson Registrar rachel lawrence Secretary Kim may P

0487 758 373

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www. kawanajrl.leaguenet.com.au KJrlC

Cooper bretherton from the u9 Whites heads for the try line against stanley river u14 Maroons get set for the 2018 season

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

HOME OF CHAMPIONS

• 2019 Season Registrations Open Now • Girls & Boys Teams Under 6 to Under 16 • Get Started Vouchers Welcome

Come play junior league with Kawana Junior Rugby League Club, one of the largest junior clubs on the Sunshine Coast.

Home to more than 400 juniors aged 6 to 16 years.

1985

320 Nicklin Way, Bokarina | Web: kawanajrl.leaguenet.com.au Email: secretary@kawanajrl.com.au |

www.facebook.com/KJRLC/ |

@kawanajuniorrugbyleague

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Established

Kawana Junior Rugby League strive to provide a safe, affordable environment, where junior players can develop not only the skills required to compete to their highest individual ability in Rugby League, but also produce players with the upmost standards in regard to sportsmanship, moral standards and respect.

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Kilcoy yowies rlFC

Information supplied by the club

The mighty Yowies have been around since the beginning of rugby league on the Sunshine Coast in 1920.

However, due to troubling times back when it was difficult to travel throughout the region, the club struggled to sign up players.

For the next seven years, keen players would instead travel to Woodford to get their weekly dose of rugby league.

In 1927, Kilcoy reformed but unfortunately, it was short-lived.

It wasn’t until 2004 when the club would stabilise and begin to hold its own. Residents in the region had become fed-up with travelling to surrounding areas such as Blackbutt, Caboolture and Beerwah and this outrage sparked the re-formation of the ‘foundation’ rugby club.

During the same year, our club entered the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League for the first time.

Since then our club has grown strong and has formed a foothold in the community. We’ve built a club house, dressing sheds and we have even survived the floods!

We’ve had many great players join the club such as 1966 Queensland player Abe Wiemers, alongside many momentous victories. In 2004, we won the premiership as well as the presidents cup. While our second division team took out the minor premiership. In 2006 and in 2007 we won back to back grand finals, proving how fierce our club had become. In 2007, one of our proud members Patricia Bleakley won the Woman in League award and Kilcoy Citizen of the Year.

Today we are a club to be proud of. We support the local community and hold events such as McGrath Foundation Pink Day to support breast cancer and all the important women in our community. This season we are also hosting an indigenous round with Pomona.

Our club started through the dedication of a select few and this hard work still continues today. Many great people who started the club are still involved with the club, giving all the time they can.

We’ve been lucky enough to attract new sponsors who have been able turn our dreams into a reality.

Thank you to every Yowie that has been involved in our great club over the last 100 years, we couldn’t have done it without you.

1920 Kilcoy side/Museum brisbane

todd Harrison, Matthew Harrison and ned Harrison

2018 team Photo Back Row Max Brody (Manager & League Safe), Dylan Teys, David Turnbull, Dylan Storr, Aaron Lawson, Steve Raey, Maa Toafa & Todd Edwards.

2nd back row Todd Harrison (President), Alex Cox, Rhys Storr, Ryan White, Taylor Hollman, Daniel Brody, Matthew Harrison.

3rd row Trae Storr, Shannon Tetley, Patty Bleakley (F.A.O. L2) Damian Townsend, Blake Weaver, Michael Edwards, Troy Edwards, Gavin Brody (Coach). front row Gabriel Mene, Zac Wright, Tyler Sleeman, Scott Floss, Colin Eaton, Izzac Hill.

About the club Club Established 2004 President todd Harrison Secretary Patty Bleakley Treasurer Patty Bleakley Registrar Cathy lapthorn Executives todd Harrison, Damian townsend, Patty Bleakley and Cathy lapthorn P

0408 758 595

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denisbl@bigpond.net.au

Yowie Up! Thanks to our Sponsors 6947888aa

Woodford Kilcoy Tyrepower

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Maroochydore rlFC Information supplied by the club

The club played its first games at Maroochydore State School before moving to their current home ground in Wises Road, Maroochydore.

In the 90s, the club changed its name to the Maroochydore/Coolum Senior Rugby League Club and is known more commonly as the Maroochydore Swans.

The Swans have been one of the most successful clubs in recent times, having played in the last five division one grand finals and are the current division one premiers and club champions.

In addition, our division two and U18 sides have also featured in a number of recent grand finals.

The Swans do not have the financial resources of many other clubs and largely have to rely on the generosity of sponsors and supporters.

With 2019 shaping up to be a financially difficult year, the pride and

culture of the Swans will once again come to the forefront. Like last year’s grand final victory, the Swans “never say die” attitude will ensure the club is once again a force to be reckoned with.

Season 2019 also beckons in a new era for the Swans with new coaching appointments and the emergence of some young talent competing for positions in the top grade. The emphasis will be on development and opportunity, rewarding hard work whilst remaining competitive.

Over the last few years, the Swans have experienced an influx of players wanting to play with the club. As we do not pay players, we believe our culture and inclusiveness are the major drawcard for participants.

The senior club continues to partner with the junior club to ensure a pathway is available so that the young U6 Swans can remain a Swan for life.

The senior club has invited junior teams to escort them out at a couple

Division 1 Premiership side, 2018

of home games. This includes a behind the scenes exposure to the pre-game preparations and warm-ups.

This has proven to be a win-win for both senior and junior players and will be maintained in the upcoming season.

This season, the Swans are attempting to field its first-ever women’s team and whilst the numbers are encouraging, we would certainly like to see more female players attend training. The Swans see the inclusion of a women’s team as a positive step forward for the club.

The Maroochydore Swans are a strong family focussed club. It, however, realises the challenges ahead for finances and player numbers. But with its positive culture and inclusiveness, the Maroochydore Swans are looking forward to meeting these challenges for this season and beyond.

About the club Club Established 1972 President Paul mcmillan Treasurer richard goldsworthy Registrar Cathy Dwyer P

0427 992 124 maroochydoreswannies

The Maroochydore / Coolum Senior RLC would like to thank its major sponsors:

and our Jersey Sponsors:

• Savage Brakes and Mechanical • McGrath Real Estate Buderim • Harvey & Hold Painting & Rendering • ONF Surveyors • S & K Painters • Nan and Pop's Fruit Shop • Ray White Mountain Creek • Forever Barbers • Makara Constructions • Carters Transport • Arbee Roofing • Sands Tavern • Wirreanda Newsagency • SJ Aitkins Plumbing • The Sports Physi-co • The Maintenance Company • Bryce Concrete Pumping

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The club was formed in 1972 and was originally known as the Maroochydore Rugby League Club.

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Maroochydore JrlFC

Information supplied by the club

It was Monday, June 5, 1972, and members from the Caloundra Junior Rugby League, the Nambour Junior Club and other significant members of the local rugby league community had met for a very special purpose.

and mascots were discussed but, in the end, it was decided the new club would be the Maroochydore Black Swans, the team colours would be green and white and the club would establish itself out of Maroochydore State High School.

We strive to be a family orientated club, in fact, many families that have been involved with the Maroochydore Black Swans since its inception are still involved today. Most of our coaches are ex junior players who have now returned to coach their children.

They had met with the intent of forming a junior club for the Maroochydore catchment.

The very first training was held the following Friday and 47 children turned up at the oval and three teams were formed. A local reporter from the Sunshine Coast Weekly Advertiser attended the milestone and took photos of each team.

Today we host 21 teams from U6s to U16s and this year, we are expecting our participation rate to increase by 30 per cent.

Present that evening were Sunshine Coast rugby league icons such as the then president of the Caloundra Club, Mr Whitham, the headmaster of Maroochydore State School M. Christ and E. Cichero - who was about to become the very first president of the Maroochydore Black Swans.

Others present that evening included; N. Meninga, C. Anders, D. Treloar, R. MacKay, D. Cox, D. Abbott, J. Spiller, R. Ebner, Mrs Cork and B. Forster.

With the popularity of rugby league building throughout the Sunshine Coast region, these individuals felt a new club was necessary to help the game’s prominence grow even further.

At the inaugural meeting many options in regard to colours, names

The first named coaches of the club were Norm Meninga (Under 10s) and Jeff Spiller (Under 13s).

In these early days, the family registration fees cost 50 cents with a further 10 cents paid per player, per game to cover dental insurance fees.

The club paid its fee of $2.50 to the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League to officiate its beginning and therefore enter the competition.

The club’s first uniform consisted of a green and white jersey with a 4-inch white band around the centre. Players wore black rugby shorts with green socks – not too dissimilar to what we wear today.

We take time to thank all our dedicated volunteers who donate their time and resources to make our club the best it can be, like our current president Paul McMillan, who this year celebrates his 25th in that position having led our club since 1994.

Aside from volunteers, we must also thank the surrounding community for their immense support. Thanks to grants from the local council and state government we’ve been able to build the facilities we boast today. We’ve come a long way from a singular field at the Maroochydore State High School to our home at Wises Road.

With an upgraded clubhouse, fields, grandstands and lighting, we are lucky to have one of the best home grounds on the Sunshine Coast.

u14s team featuring Mal Meninga, far right, front row, 1972

About the club Club Established 1972 President Paul mcmillan Vice President garry mcClymont Treasurer Cheryn Cook Secretary eboney shedden Coaching Coordinator Jack Dreger P

0418 711 547

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mjrlc@bigpond.com

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www.maroochyswans.leaguenet.com.au maroochydoreJuniorrugbyleague Club

u6s, 2018

Thanks To

marooChydore Junior rugby League CLub 6961278aa

our Team sponsors

• The Maintenance Company • Leading Realty • Steve Atkins Plumbing • Max Contact • Jim White Electrical • Outside Design • G&S Plumbing Group • A1 Tiling & Waterproofing • Maroochy Surf School • GSG Contracting • Unique Concrete Polishing • Coastal Auto Smash Repairs • Cotton Tree Meats • Billy’s Buddies Ray White Mt. Creek.

our CompLeX sponsors Lawyers • AXIA Litigation Liti ti L • The Maintenance Company • Fit College Chemist Warehouse • McDonalds Maroochydore and Kulin • GSG Contracting • Good Bar

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•K Ken Mills Mill Toyota T t • Pizza Hut • Impact Electrical • Cotton Tree Meats • Jim White Electrical • Outside Design

SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

•M Meninga Hydraulics i H d • Tint A Car • Pack & Send • Get Tools Direct • Sizzler Maroochydore • Little Real Estate

Remember these past logos?

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Mary Valley Stags rlFC

Information supplied by the club

Our story begins with a handful of young men who were passionate about rugby league, where they live, who they were and more importantly, the history they wanted to keep alive.

Our club was founded in 2010 after the Traveston Dam proposal shook the community to its core.

On Saturday, July 18, 2010, our new founded team travelled to Gympie to play against the Gympie Devils C Grade team. 25 players aged 18-37 turned up ready to play.

Oh, what a feeling it was to see our boys take to the field! The club hired a bus so supporters could travel to see the boys play. Watching the faces of grandmothers, mothers, wives, partners, siblings and children yelling, “go the stags” is a moment we will forever cherish.

We didn’t come away as the winning team on the day, however, all our boys got to run onto the field and experience the comradery, pride and passion of representing the Mary Valley Stags.

In a short history, we’ve still managed to bring home some impressive

titles and take part in some iconic rugby clashes.

inaugural mary Valley Fawns junior team, Kandanga 2018

In 2011, we played against Yandina in the C-grade grand final, only going down within the final minutes of the game.

In 2017, we returned for a taste of victory and became the division 2B minor premiers.

We still live and breathe our respectful history with many of the founding members of the club still representing the Stags today.

In 2018, the club formed a junior team, the Mary Valley Fawns cementing the future of our club. It has been with absolute pride that we watch our children run onto the field in our signature green jerseys each week.

This club is bringing together people in the community, who may not have usually gathered. Together we witness the hard work of our kids on and off the field. We watch them thrive after each game in this encouraging environment and we are thankful for it.

About the club Club Established 2010 President tom Curran Treasurer nardia Parker Registrar Danielle roberts P

0438 156 009 maryValleystagsrugbyleagueClub

Kandanga Hotel ...

information@mi-feed.com.au www.mi-feed.com.au

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07 5454 7777

Manufacturing and wholesaling high quality stockfeed, in bulk or 20kg bags, for over 40 years.

e Your friendly country pub enjoyed by locals and visitors alike

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inaugural Mary Valley stags team, imbil 2010

P Proud • Open 7 days a week, with delicious supporters meals in our restaurant of the 40 Main Street • Lunch 7 days a week Mary Valley Kandanga 4570 Stags • Dinner Wednesday to Saturday.

07 5484 3621 • We can cater for 100+ people seate ed kandangahotel@hotmail.com in both indoor & outdoor area SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Nambour Crushers rlFC Information supplied by the club

Nambour Rugby League Club is a football club that has enjoyed a proud sporting history on the Sunshine Coast since the early 1900s.

Our trophy cabinets are filled with cups, shields and team photos dating back to 1915 inscribed with family names of residents whose families still live in Nambour and the surrounding districts.

Our club now proudly fields teams from U6s to division one, including girls’ teams from U12s to open women.

where long time sponsor Bob Grundy would oversee the growth of club spirit.

Annually, we have at least one old boy’s reunion to celebrate milestones such as premiership wins.

Both clubs had past players of the highest calibre with internationals Ray Laird and Ray Higgs and Queensland representatives Sid Clarke and Barry Gills. We acknowledge all the players who banded together to form the original Nambour Crushers, some of whom went on to represent Australia, Queensland, Wide Bay and other representative levels.

Junior and senior club committees work in unison to create a ‘one club’ attitude supported by club stalwart Dave Cordwell as coaching director. More collaboration between our junior and senior players is planned for this year to further encourage the transition of players through to senior ranks.

Nambour Crushers Rugby League Football Club was reformed in 1985 to become the strong and progressive club it is today. Two rival teams, Souths Magpies and All Whites, joined in order to survive what was a hard time for rugby league on the Sunshine Coast.

Ben Ross is just one example of a Nambour Junior Crusher who went on to compete in the NRL playing 174 games and representing Queensland in six State of Origins.

These two clubs were fierce rivals whose players would support their respective main sponsors, who just happened to be owners of competing Nambour hotels. On one side of the railway tracks stood the Royal George Hotel where Harry Balkin would fire up the Souths boys prior to club games. On the other side stood the Club Hotel,

Nambour Crushers prides itself on recognising and acknowledging the contribution of past players, coaching staff, committee members, sponsors, volunteers and supporters. We enjoy the involvement of past players returning to coach our junior teams, and now watch as third generation members make their mark on our club.

Nambour Crushers are proud to support other local sporting and community groups by sharing these facilities for the inclusivity of all Nambour community members. These groups include NRL development squads, local and district schools, Meals on Wheels, Discobility Sunshine Coast, Nambour Bridge Club, Sunshine Coast Racing Pigeon Club, Sunshine Coast Weightlifting Club, many motoring associations and other not-for-profit community groups.

We look forward to achieving great success on and off the fields in this centenary year.

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About the club Club Established 1985 Seniors President mark turner Mobile 0407 712 206 Email nambour-crushers@outlook.com Juniors President michael Fletcher Mobile 0447 550 654 Email secretary@juniorcrushers.com.au W

www.nambourcrushers.com nambour-crushers

2019

Thanks to all our sponsors for their support

Superior Plumbing Services Black Cat Civil Nambour Heights Butchery Adam Foley Concreting Pty Ltd Oakes & Sons Farming Sunshine Coast Cordwell’s Concrete

22 Crusher Park Drive NAMBOUR QLD 4560 30

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Butler McDermott Lawyers Paulger Engineering Michael Vella Electrical Robert’s Turf Supplies Northcoast Demolitions Paul Thorne Solid Plastering McDonalds Nambour Marty Hunt MP

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Noosa pirates rlFC

Information supplied by the club

The Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club was formed in 1975, based in Cooroy.

Undoubtedly the pinnacle of success for the Noosa Pirates came in a space of the three years between 2006 to 2008.

National Rugby League champion Mick Plant, who honed his craft playing for the Eastern Suburb Roosters in the New South Wales Rugby League competition, was named as the clubs’ first captain/ coach.

With former NRL star half back Noel Goldthorpe at the helm, the Noosa Pirates were premiers three seasons in a row.

Players, namely the Christensen’s and other familiar names to locals, who were plying their trade for other teams, came together to form the nucleus of this proud club.

The club tasted success early on, winning their first premiership in 1977.

The club continued to grow over the years, fielding two senior teams and numerous junior teams in the league.

Success continued for the Pirates, winning numerous titles in both A Grade and Reserve Grade over the course of the next 30 years.

2007 being the standout year of the three, in which The Noosa Pirates were undefeated throughout the season.

Not only that, they were Wide Bay Division Champions, Sunshine Coast Club of the Year as well as Reserve Grade Champions.

Down but by no means out, the team that most pundits picked to come dead last, shocked the Sunshine Coast to win the 2017 A Grade Premiership.

From past greats to a new group of Pirates willing to face any challenge head on, 2019 could well be a defining year for this proud club.

Former Noosa Pirates Jake Friend and Moses Mbye hold the distinction of being captains for their respective NRL teams, those being the Sydney City Roosters and the Wests Tigers.

Congratulations to both Jake and Moses on behalf of the very proud Noosa Pirates.

Famous for our blue and yellow jerseys, the club has made a determined effort to incorporate this centenary season by reverting to our original strip this year.

A proud club who in recent times struggled with playing numbers to be successful, the fighting spirit of the club came to fruition in 2017 when all appeared to be lost.

Premiership winners, 2008

Pirates women's side

About the club Club Established 1975 President greg Christensen Vice President Ben Christensen Secretary Jess goldthorpe Secretary gary Christensen P

0401 987 039

W

www.noosapirates.leaguenet.com.au noosapirates

ONE DREAM... ONE TEAM !

SIGN ONS ARE NOW OPEN!

go to www.playnrl.com for more info.

FOR ALL REGISTRATION QUESTIONS Please email - registrarndjrl@hotmail.com MAIN SENIORS GROUND

ALL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME

31 Butler Street, Tewantin MAIN JUNIORS GROUND

57 Mary River Road, Cooroy

Under 6's to A Grade - Boys, Girls, Mens and Womens

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Noosa pirates JrlFC Information supplied by the club

In 1983, the Christensen brothers, Col and Gary, alongside their mate Robyn Hart (who was pretty much a brother) founded the Noosa and District Junior Rugby League Club.

The committee at the time consisted of just these three, Col (President), Robyn (Secretary), and Gary (Treasurer). Before this, the only rugby league in the Noosa area was in Tewantin at Read Park.

That club was known as the Tewantin Pelicans, and it was the beginning of the Noosa Pirates story.

Col took his son Greg down to sign on as a Pelican at around the age of 10. He remembers arriving to an unorganised scene, he couldn’t find a registrar and struggled to make sense of the confusing set-up. It wasn’t long after until the Pelicans Club eventually faded off the scene.

Recognising the potential for rugby league in the area, Col decided to resurrect the club except this time in the Cooroy area. He then changed name to the Pirates.

The club started with four sides in the first year, consisting of under 9s through to under 12s. By the second year, a few more sides were added. Back then, games were played at the Cooroy Showgrounds opposite our current home ground. The home paddock for the Pirates

today is known as ‘Christensen Oval’, which was developed in 1985.

With the help of local publican Reg Cannon, Col brought the Pirates Clubhouse to life through a whole town effort. A Cooroy effort.

The only trades which required payment throughout the whole construction process were the bricklayers and roofers.

All other labour came from community members who volunteered their time. However, it wasn’t just them who helped, the council and local business owners also pitched in. PGH Brickworks supplied every single brick free of charge, whilst the council loaned the team a grader to level the ground out. In later stages of the project the Bonnell Bros supplied the machinery that helped develop the main field.

All of the Christensen brothers were involved with the building of the clubhouse, with Col’s brother Ray prepping the ground with his dozer. Funds were raised through goose clubs and raffles at the Cooroy Hotel, and local member at the time, Bruce Simpson became instrumental in helping finance the project.

The clubhouse and field development was completed in just four months.

Along with many parents of Pirates players, Col’s wife Del made sure

the canteen was functional for many years, while they were both heavily involved with the club.

Col and Del were named the first life members for the Pirates in 1990.

Fast forward to 2019 and we have over 270 registered players and field teams in U6s to U16s in the boys divisions as well as two standalone girls teams.

The Pirates are very lucky to have the son of the club’s founder at the helm as president of the juniors and the senior club Greg Christensen.

This helps us to instil unity between the juniors and the seniors and show a strong pathway for the younger players, who can aspire to play for the A-grade side.

We have embraced the heritage year and our jerseys this year are a replica of our original 1975 jerseys. The U14s girls wore these with pride in their first game of the preseason over the preseason in March.

The senior and junior clubs are continuing to strive their amalgamation and all levels and grades will be decked out in the same uniforms.

We would like to thank Allroad Surfaces for coming on as the Major Sponsor for the Junior Club in 2019.

levi mclean throws a pass

About the club Club Established 1975 President greg Chrisensen Secretary Jess goldthorpe Treasurer tricia acton Registrar Kristie Hart P

0401 987 039

E

ndjrl@hotmail.com

W

www.ndjrl.com.au noosapirates

noosa Pirates junior girls' team wearing the 1975 replica jersey

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters!

ONE TEAM... GO ONE DREAM... PIRATES!

57 Mary River Road, Cooroy

P 0401 987 039

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SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

palmwoods Devils rlFC Information supplied by the club

Palmwoods formed in 1920 alongside nine other clubs Woombye, Buderim, Nambour, Cooran, Eumundi, Yandina, Cooroy, Pomona and Mooloolah. This group was a breakaway from the North Coast Rugby Union.

The home of the Devils is Briggs Park, a location named after a local farmer Tommy Briggs. He was known as a bit of a character around town, who had a lot to do with the club socially and is now an honorary life member of the club.

In 1978, Mal Meninga laced up in the local A-grade competition as a teenager for the Palmwoods Devils before furthering his career in Brisbane and beyond

player of the year awards, which was a testament to the heart and soul of our small club.

club holds a level three accreditation in the good sports health eating program.

In 2017, we had three teams make the final, including our U13s who were undefeated the whole season and came home with the win!

During this year our division two seniors team made the grand final with a narrow loss to Stanley Rivers.

our priorities include: Providing a positive and safe environment for our players, developing the skills of rugby league and team work, instilling discipline, confidence and good sportsmanship, providing a path for each player to reach their potential and ensuring our players have fun.

In 2018, we formed our first girls’ team joining forces with the Nambour Crushers to create a combined U14s side.

Our club has been built on strong family-based values and we believe that every player deserves their time on the field (and not on the bench).

Gary Prickett also played for the Palmwoods Devils. Gary went onto represent Queensland in 1981 and was also picked in the Sunshine Coast Falcons team of the century alongside Gary “Butch” Cox and Kerry Brown.

We have survived due to the ongoing support of our sponsors, particularly our long-term and major sponsors; the Palmwoods Hotel, Brady’s Fruit, Foley’s Tanks and Heritage Bank.

In 2016, our small club had much to celebrate with three grand final premierships achieved in our U11, U13 and U15 age groups. In addition to this, we saw two of our players receive the Sunshine Coast Falcons

We boast many features including a large modern clubhouse with a viewing deck, electronic scoreboards and fantastic canteen facilities.

We are committed to creating a healthy club culture and as such, our

Dan robinson

1932 side

grand final Winners – undefeated all season u13s, 2017

About the club Club Established 1920 President andy alexander Vice President anthony Phillips Treasurer riannon mcgrath Secretary Jenny rickards P

0435 250 318

W palmwoodsdevils.teamapp.com PalmwoodsDevilsJuniorrugbyleagueClub

Proud to support our local community

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

pomona-Cooran Cutters rlFC Information supplied by the club

The Pomona-Cooran Cutters is one of 10 original Sunshine Coast clubs formed in 1920. Our club mainly comprised of men who were working as timber cutters in the local town.

As the timber industry died off, so did the momentum of the club.

But 1989 saw a new era of rugby league for our region thanks to the efforts of Graham Childs, Craig Childs, Shannon Couch, Geoff Window and Robin Boyd Initially, the club ran out of the Pomona Hotel until 2006, when the Noosa Council proposed to president Jason Greentree the idea of taking over Recreation Club in Cooran. From there our club has grown and developed into the family orientated club it’s known as today.

2019 sees us celebrate our 30th Anniversary – a great achievement for a small standalone club.

Over the past 30 years, the structure of the game has seen many changes. Whether we have participated in the second division, amateur, or C-grade, our club has always remained a central hub for

blokes that want to play rugby league and have fun alongside great mates.

We also always given the younger players chasing an opportunity to star in an A-grade competition, a place to flex their footy muscles.

The Cutters have survived the highs and lows just like any other club.

In 1992, under the guidance of coach Russell Dingle, we captured our first grand final win against Gympie 14 – 12.

In 2013, we made our third grand final but unfortunately went down to Beerwah 20 – 6. However, our fourth grand final loss in 2015 was the harder to bear, going down to Caloundra 22 – 20.

In 2018, our club transitioned through a difficult time, struggling once again for players. But that’s when our youngest ever committee banded together to ensure the Cutters stayed in the competition –which was well rewarded. Coach Ashley Davis took the Cutters to their fourth grand final appearance and second premiership win against Beachmere 11 – 0. Victory had never felt so sweet.

Celebrating the 2018 grand Final win

Our club wouldn’t be able to function without the invaluable efforts of volunteers who turn up week in and week out. The dedication shown by them to be part of a club that prides itself on community support, is why “when you become a Cutter, you are a Cutter for life.”

The Pomona-Cooran Cutters are heavily involved in the community all year round. We are proud of the “the Cutters Kitchen.” Here we serve meals to local community members from our clubhouse every Friday night.

Our club particularly prides itself on our fundraising efforts. In 2018, we supported many charities and events such as the Pink Day for Cancer, NAIDOC week and our own “Arlo Memorial Game.”

We love being a part of such of a strong family-orientated club that brings people together to play the greatest game of all…rugby league.

“Up the Cutters.”

About the club Club Established 1989 President ashley Davis Secretary Pam Coker Treasurer nathan roon Registrar Pam Coker P

0406 000 486 officalPomonaCooranCutters

Join Us For J Kick Off Follow us @CUTTERSRLFC

PH: 0406 000 486 @CUTTERSRLFC 34

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

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yandina raiders rlFC Information supplied by the club

The Yandina Rugby League Club isn’t like most clubs, as a small one team unit we are a tight-knit pack, to say the least.

that is worth much more.

When you’re playing rugby, you want to make sure you’re playing with people that you know. As raiders, we play together, drink together and many of us even work together.

Home games at Yandina are a sight to behold. Many locals from the town come down to our small but exciting ground and roar our name from the sideline. In this crowd are many past legends who can no longer play for our club but still represent and support it.

This culture of mateship has been ingrained in our club since the very beginning.

In later years we’ve seen the most success. Winning a grand final in 2011 whilst also playing in the grand final in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

In the early days, Yandina played in what is known as a ‘pub league.’

This competition wasn’t as serious as the footy we play today; there were no interchanges and pretty much anyone could come down to the fields and throw on a jersey.

Today we still withhold that culture of mateship and family. We’re a club of 30 men strong and each week we run out on the field as brothers rather than just teammates.

Blokes like Ray Laird who sadly passed away recently must be acknowledged for their fine efforts in founding the club back in 1986.

Ray alongside a few other local guys; Don Mccord, Peter Ryland, Murf and Tony Law put their heads together and decided to create a side for Yandina to compete in a more serious competition – the Sunshine Coast Rugby League.

In the last 33 years, while we may not have rows and rows and trophies displayed in our cabinets, we’ve established a proud history

came to our club too, just so they could be coached by him again.

Chris was also the man who took us to that faithful 2011 grand final.

This year we are excited to welcome our new head coach Darren Roberts. Darren has had an exceptional career as a footballer and has proven his leadership both on the field and in his roles coaching many junior Sunshine Coast teams.

We may be small, but we are proud of our club here at Yandina and thank the Sunshine Coast Rugby League for hosting us over the last 33 years.

However, we wouldn’t be who we are without the kind hearts of our volunteers who are truly passionate about rugby league.

Our president Anthony Law is about to commence his thirteenth year playing for the club, having been the president for the last seven and working in the committee for two years before that.

Special mention goes to our current assistant coach Chris Unitt who completely changed the dynamic of Yandina. He first joined our club in 2010 after working as a junior coach for Nambour Crushers. When Chris joined Yandina many of those young Crushers he once coached

2018

1954

About the club Club Established 1986 President anthony law Secretary emma law Treasurer marsa nielsen P

0402 682 286

E

yandinarlfc@hotmail.com yandina-raiders-Football-Club

Major Sponsor of Yandina Rugby League Club

6962787aa

1 Stevens St, Yandina | 07 5446 7341

SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

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CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Stanley river Wolves rlFC Information supplied by the club

In 1974, a Woodford team entered the reserve grade competition.

That side coached by Ron Pryor went on to make the grand final but ultimately lost the match to the Nambour Souths. In 1975, Woodford fielded an A-grade side along with reserves, 18s and 16s.

In 1976, the committee led by the “Godfather” of the Stanley River Club, Claude Bleakley, decided a name change was required to acknowledge the Kilcoy district players who were making their way to the Rivers’ ground in Woodford. With that the club was reborn and became Stanley River. Alongside this new name, came a new emblem – the wolf.

The Stanley River Wolves united with the Sunshine Coast Rugby League competition that same year.

A succession of U16 and U18 premierships came in these early years and this laid a foundation for the senior sides to begin what can only be described as the club’s ‘glory years.’

Under captain-coach Doug Champion, the A-grade side made its first grand final in 1978. This match was played against our most southern neighbour in Caboolture. It was a thrilling game and 12-10 loss began

an intense rivalry between these two clubs.

However, the following year the club was able to avenge this loss under new coach Joe Chambers defeating Caboolture 30-14 in the grand final.

This victory completed the proudest day in the club’s history after wins came in both the reserve grade and U18 premierships.

In the 1980 grand final Rivers staged a remarkable comeback against Caloundra who were down 17-2 with just 20 minutes remaining. Club speedster Col McMillan scored with just seconds remaining to win the match 18-17.

In 1981, under Gary Drew, Rivers again reached the finals but bowed out with defeat in the penultimate round.

This ended the golden era with success and the club didn’t return to the Coast competition until 1989. During this year a deal was made which saw Rivers join the reserve grade competition, while a Broncos U21 side played in the A-grade taking Rivers place. Both sides won grand final victories, with Rivers defeating Maroochydore whilst the

stanley river return to seniors in 2017 winning the 2nd Division b-grade

Broncos defeated Beerwah. In 1992 the club’s A-grade side won yet another thrilling grand final against Maroochydore with a finishing score of 22 to 20.

In 2002 Rivers withdrew from senior Coast competition but returned in 2017. This side coached by Vic Osborn won their second division title against Palmwoods and become the forerunner to this year’s nomination of first division and second division sides.

As times change so too did the club. Stanley River now boasts juniors from U6s to U16s. Population growth in the district has led to the arrival of the Kilcoy Yowies as a standalone club. The two towns of Woodford and Kilcoy have a history that is intertwined, and the club wishes our neighbours much success. Our home base at Woodford is a “graveyard” for visiting teams and as we prepare for this season we remember our culture is “to never say die” and support your mates in adversity.

The centenary year of 2019 is a pivotal year in the growth of this club.

Under hardworking chairman Kev Perkins and his committee, the club will build on the pathways between the juniors and seniors.

stanley river sunshine Coast Premiers a-grade 1980

About the club Club Established as “stanley river” 1976 (Formerly Woodford 1974/1975) President Kevin Perkins Treasurer shelley Harrison Secretary mary-anne Hallam Registrar tanille gauld Vice President Juniors Kev Weaver Vice President Seniors russell Klein P

0448 118 532

W

websites.sportstg.com/club

Instagram @stanleyriverjrlfc srJrlFC

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6942190aa

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Hall of Fame

life Members

players Barry gillis

graham allen

Paul rutledge

Bill Venardos

Joe Bray

Kevin grant

Brad Henderson

greg Christensen

Peter sommerville

Bill Beaumont

tom Bowden

aldo loi

Craig leitch

John Campbell

ray laird

Fred murray

lex Burchill

ashley robinson

Darryl Fitzgerald

grant thorogood

Col turner

steve molineux

Bernie mcmahon

Dave Cordwell

grant young

allan marr

Des ludwig

Chris o'grady

Des Dwyer

James Ward

Bill Chapman

Peter Boyce

les Williams

Doug Drew

John reddy

Bert Deschamps

alf murrell

gary Cox

Kerry Brown

Keith Krebs

rhondda Poor

gary grice

mark Carstens

tim Dwyer

gary smith

mick Plant

tony elliott

garry Prickett

noel goldthorpe

rod smith shayne Payne steve molineux syd Clarke

Administrators Des ludwig

nev Heiniger

allan marr

errol Kleinhans

noel Warner

ashley robinson

Fred murray

norman Hood

Bernie mcmahon

Fred richters

Paul mcmillan

Bert Deschamps

ian Welch

Peter Boyce

Bill Chapman

ivan Friske

rhondda Poor

Bill logan

Jack tyrell

rob Brough

Bill Venardos

Joe Bray

ronald greenwood

Billy moore

John rankin

shaun Cronau

Bob leitch

les geeves

stuart Jeffers

Col Christensen

les Williams

tim shepherd

Col turner

lex Burchill

Vince nipperess

Danny mcguire

mark Cohen

Des allen

mick Hourigan

rugby league grand final a-grade Caloundra v all Whites, 1981

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Dag Pub

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alf murrell

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE

loCal legenDs/Photo: Michaela o'neill

TeAM OF THe CeNTury

in 2007, the australian rugby league reached out to the sunshine Coast gympie rugby league asking it to help select the top 100 best rugby league players over the 100-year history in australia. to aid the process the sCgrl founded a subcommittee. this committee nominated 18 people from our region who were considered the best of all time. thus, was founded the sunshine Coast gympie rugby league team of the Century a team of local legends past and present.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 FullBACK ray laird

WiNger Peter sommerville

CeNTre Barry gills

CeNTre Kerry Brown

WiNger tim Dwyer

FiVe-eigHTH John reddy

HAlFBACK James Ward

FrONT rOW syd Clarke

HOOKer gary Prickett

FrONT rOW grant young

SeCOND rOW Daryl Fitzgerald

SeCOND rOW gary 'Butch' Cox

lOCK mick Plant

iNTerCHANge grant thorogood

iNTerCHANge noel goldthorpe

iNTerCHANge tony elliot

iNTerCHANge gary smith

SunShine CoaSt Rugby League CENTENARY/1920-2019

39

Celebrating 100 years of loCal rugby league