Queensland Rugby League (QRL) chief executive officer Ben Ikin has returned to his roots on the Gold Coast to support community rugby league volunteers and participants.
As a former Tugun Seahawks junior, Ikin has many fond memories of playing and watching rugby league at grounds like Bycroft Oval.
With the start of the Rugby League Gold Coast (RLGC) season looming, Ikin enjoyed the opportunity to meet with players and officials from the Runaway Bay Seagulls today.
The former Queensland Maroons representative was joined by TPIL Lawyers managing director James Madden, who presented a cheque of $1000 to the Seagulls ahead of the 2024 season.
TPIL Lawyers signed on as a QRL partner in December of last year, and they are already making their presence felt in the rugby league community.
“At TPIL, we love the famous Queensland spirit, and you can see plenty of that here today at the Seagulls,” Madden said.
“As a Queensland-owned and operated firm, we’re extremely passionate about helping local community clubs and the people who work hard behind the scenes to make it all happen.
“We send our best wishes to everyone involved at the Seagulls this year, and trust that today’s presentation will give the club even more momentum heading into the new season.”
Runaway Bay treasurer and junior coach Darryl Fisher thanked TPIL Lawyers and the QRL for their support.
“This is a great boost for us ahead of the new season,” Fisher said.
“The funds will help replace the club’s scoreboard that was completely destroyed during the Christmas Day storms, and we’re also in the process of getting approval for a new change room facility that will encompass female participants and all-abilities players.”
The Seagulls already have more than 200 juniors signed on for the new season, with club officials optimistic they’ll exceed the 2023 figure of 500 registered participants in coming weeks.
RLGC had 6232 junior participants across male and female competitions last year.
To register to Play Something Unreal or find a local rugby league club where you can get involved, click here.