THE WIDE BAY REPORT
               From Damian Lindeberg, QRL Wide Bay Coaching & Development Officer

There was plenty of schoolboy rugby league activity throughout Wide Bay over season 1998. With the state Under 15 carnival a huge success in Kingaroy, all credit goes to Tony Cush and his team of dedicated rugby league people.

Games were of a high standard, and all teams which participated in the championships should be congratulated on their behaviour on and off the field.

On behalf of the QRL and Wide Bay Division, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved.

In Wide Bay we have established a network of coaches as a source of support to anyone who needs advice, assistance or any type of information on coaching.

This panel also passes on important information on coaching courses, rule changes, new developments, QRL camps and any other information that may be of interest to the coaching fraternity.

The panel includes Matt O’Hanlon, Murray Stanton, Ron Greentree, Tony Cush and David Ballin, as well as many other distinguished personnel.

On the Sunshine Coast a committee has been formed between the clubs and schools to look further at the possibilities of a pre-season competition this year, with the inclusion of U13s/Year 8 through to U17s/Open.

This inaugural competition in 1998 had its hiccups but it provided more positives. The committee has some strong foundations to work with. Anyone wanting to know more about this concept can contact Murray Stanton at Maroochydore High School.

With rugby league becoming more professional, the ARL has endorsed a First Aid Officer’s course specific to our game. It is nationally accredited through VETEC and will provide the applicant with a basis in first aid when dealing with rugby league players.

Level 1 of the three-level accreditation is conducted over 121/2 hours as well as ten hours of hands-on training. The cost is $80. Wide Bay conducted its pilot course in Maryborough last November. For more information contact me on 07 4123 2233, or the closest CDO in your division.

Another first last year was the marriage of the Wide Bay U15 Keith Gibbs Shield and Open Pioneer Concrete school competitions with the Coca Cola/ Broncos, for the running of a joint competition.

To give the competition a full school flavour, a Year 8 competition (the Bunny Pearce Memorial) was included so that more students were exposed to the game at school level.

Schools participated in a home and away format, with the semi finals played at Eskdale Park in Maryborough, where all schools had an opportunity to see the team they may be playing in the finals.

The Pioneer Concrete grand final was played at ANZ Stadium on 1st August as a curtain-raiser to the Broncos/Adelaide game. Nanango SHS beat Gympie 54-4.

The Coca Cola/Broncos’ grand final was fought out on 8th August at Dolphin Oval as a curtain raiser to the Redcliffe/ Wynnum match. Murgon SHS defeated Maroochydore 34-16.

Maryborough and Bundaberg high schools contested the U15 Keith Gibbs grand final in a curtain raiser to the New Zealand/Australia test match at Suncorp Stadium on 9th October.

With the continued support of Coca Cola, the Broncos, Pioneer, Keith Gibbs and the Division, these competitions will be bigger and better in 1999.

I would like to acknowledge the work done by Kerry Short (convenor), John Dixon (Broncos) and Trevor Lindeberg (Executive Officer Wide Bay Division). Without their support and that of the schools who took part, this competition may not have succeeded.

I look forward to establishing a stronger bond between all rugby league personnel for the betterment of the game.

captain luke bows out
honours shared at bundy
aussie home loans action photo
back to home page directory