The Burleigh Bears have appointed Matt Keating as their new fulltime Junior Development Officer.
Now that his playing days have come to an end, Keating is excited to be moving into a new role that allows him to stay involved in the game he loves.
“It’s great to finish my footy career and then go into a rugby league job. I’m very passionate about it and I’m ready to learn.”
Keating brings with him a wealth of rugby league experience having played 129 NRL games with the Parramatta Eels.
Keating will oversee the Bears development and will be across everything on the Gold Coast.
This includes a role with the Burleigh juniors, Mal Meninga and Cyril Connell Cup representative teams along with the senior club including the FOGS Colts team. Keating will also work closely with schools on the Gold Coast including Rugby League Excellence schools PBC and Coombabah as well as Marymount College.
“I want to focus on getting juniors through the system rather than just relying on bringing in somebody from outside all the time. If you’ve got that talent you’ve got to use it and develop it.
“We want juniors to develop themselves, come through the grades on the Gold Coast and at Burleigh and become an Intrust Super Cup player. That’s what the club wants to see, that’s the goal for me and that’s how I’ll see results over the years.
“What’s happening at the top and what Jimmy Lenihan is going to do and implement is great. If I can put those systems in place down the grades, we’re going to see results and I really believe we’ll have some good stories coming in the years ahead.”
Backing the Bears
I Luv Coffee (formerly known as Espresso Essential) have extended its naming rights sponsorship of the Burleigh Bears for the next two years.
Damian Driscoll Burleigh Bears CEO was thrilled to continue the relationship with I Luv Coffee who have been long term corporate partners of the Bears.
“The support from I Luv Coffee for the next two years will ensure the Burleigh Bears will continue to thrive and grow. Right from the start of our partnership, I luv Coffee have been great supporters of the club and we look forward to repaying their faith in us,” Driscoll said.
"Grant Nordin from I Luv Coffee, said: “I Luv Coffee has been extremely proud to partner with the Burleigh Bears for the last five years and looks forward to working even closer with the club over the next two seasons.
"We look forward to continuing our strong relationship and look forward to the Bears on field success.”
