The weekend wasn’t just Magic Round for rugby league supporters – it was an important for grassroots coaches in Queensland Rugby League's South East region at a star-studded Magic Round Coaching Forum.
Led by our Queensland-based NRL Development team, attendees were able to hear and learn from some high-profile names in the game, including Jillaroos coach Brad Donald, Brisbane Broncos assistant coach Matt Ballin and Gold Coast Titans assistant coach Brett White.
It’s really important to the whole environment of community rugby league that the coaches are leaders, not just in coaching the technical and tactical aspects of the game, and those two guys imparting their wisdom on our coaches on the concept of leading a group of players and parents will leave an impression they can take back to their clubs.
Taking up opportunities to learn is something we encourage all the time for our coaches through a number of coaching courses and seminars throughout the year, and that goes from first-year to more experienced coaches.
May is a busy month for coach accreditation and compliance and we have a number of courses in the coming weeks to make sure new coaches are hitting the mark and can continue to do so.
It’s not only about compliance, it’s about creating a safe environment through the player and parent management processes those courses provide to ensure everyone has a great experience and keeps coming back to our game.
Find out when they’re happening in your area and register by clicking here.
The South East region is also abuzz with plenty of big events on field for grassroots in May.
The Queensland Schoolgirls State Championships start today on the Gold Coast including many players who are involved in club rugby league week-in, week-out.
The competition has a greater integration between QRL and Queensland Representative School Sport than ever before, not only from coaching and referee support, but also through the use of MySideline, which helps both organisations look after the welfare of participants.
At the newly-minted Logan Metro Sports Complex, there’s also a great opportunity for people from community clubs to go and see the best female players in the state with the BMD Premiership grand final between Burleigh Bears and Wynnum Manly Seagulls on Saturday.
The adage is ‘if you can see it, you can be it’ and plenty of young girls aspiring to reach higher levels will be in for a treat.
The other competition that’s under way is the Rugby League Brisbane Over 35s Masters, which is essential in keeping our participants in the game for as long as possible.
We often lose males from grassroots rugby league when they finish playing, sometimes until their kids come back, so it’s great to see these players not only still playing, but also helping out volunteering around their clubs.
Getting the Masters up and running has helped Rugby League Brisbane tick over more than 16,000 participants this season, which is a remarkable achievement.
Shout out
A shout out to all those at Redbank Plains Bears who played a role in the development of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who made his NRL debut for the Cowboys on Sunday. Finefeuiaki played 26 minutes against the Roosters, making 51 metres gained and 10 tackles.
Key dates
June 17, 3pm – XXXX League Championship semi-final, Toowoomba v Brisbane Red
Celebrating our team
Conan Kang
Role: League and club coordinator – Gold Coast
Hometown: Central Coast, NSW (Darkinjung)
Favourite Maroons player: Greg Inglis
Favourite Maroons Origin moment: In 2014 when the Maroons let the Blues break their eight-year drought through Trent Hodkinson.
Why you love your job: I have the fondest memories playing footy growing up, so I am glad I can play a small part in assisting as many others to do the same. I love working with and being surrounded by likeminded people and how the game has evolved to cater to all walks of life. As they say, a bad day in rugby league is a good day anywhere else.
What Conan brings to the team: Conan is a valued team member and brings with him a positive energy that is infectious. He is great at ensuring his stakeholders are well informed and is exceptional and finding the best food outlets on the Gold Coast.
