The History of the Townsville and District Rugby Union – Part 6 2010 – 2019 2010 Office bearers for the season were: President: Dan Morton Secretary: Bruce Shepherd Treasurer: James Doyle Executive: Premiership winner: Brothers Club Champions: Teachers West Player of the Year: Scott O’Neill (NWOB) Senior Representative teams: Junior Representative teams: Facilities: Club teams: 1 | P a g e 2011 Office bearers for the season were: President: Lachlan Bell Secretary: Bruce Shepherd Treasurer: Peter Cavallo Premiership winner: Brothers Club Champions: Brothers Player of the Year: J Sullivan (BUR) 2 | P a g e 2012 President’s report – 2012 – Lachlan Bell Our Junior Competition kicked off with Reds and Wallabies star Quade Cooper invited to launch Season 2012. This proved to be a highly successful event, as Quade made himself available for autographs and photos to all the junior players on the night. He also took time to mingle with our sponsors and club presidents at a small function at Mike Carney Toyota Park. The competition has continued to grow, spanning from Under 10 through to Under 17. The finals series featured representation from most clubs, congratulations to the Grand Finalists and Premiers in your respective grades. Similarly, the senior competition has gone from strength to strength now that the Third-Grade competition is well and truly a permanent fixture on the season calendar. The continued growth of the younger clubs such as Western Devils and North Ward Old Boys is a wonderful endorsement for Townsville Rugby and a great example of the rewards for hard work and persistence. Again congratulations to all the players who participated in the final series and to Brothers – First Grade Premiers 2012. Season 2012 has proven to be another successful year for Townsville Rugby. From Under 10’s to the Country Heelers our playing ranks have continued to expand and the success of our players has grown. The Qld Junior Rugby Union State Championships were contested by our Under 13,14,15,16 & 17 Brolgas in 2012. Not only did they again, equip themselves admirably on the field, they consistently displayed the professionalism and sportsmanship that has long been the culture of Brolga Rugby. We are the only Sub Union outside of SEQ that fields teams in every age group – none of which would be possible without the selfless commitment of the coaches, managers and parents. Well done also to those players that went on to higher honours in their respective age groups. The Brolgas had another great year in the U19 and Senior Divisions, with neither team losing a game in the North Queensland Inter- Regional matches against Cairns and Mackay. This year we took the Brolga’s home game to the country, with the Burdekin Canetoads hosting the Townsville v Mackay fixtures – a deserved reward for a club that continues to grow. After a successful Regional Championship, Townsville dominated selection in the North Qld team to play Central Qld and South Qld. After winning both games in Under 19 and Seniors and being crowned Country Champions, local Players Tom Vinson and Rikki Abraham were awarded the Best & Fairest Players in the Under 19 and Senior Country Championships respectively. Both players also won selection in the Country Heelers along with Michael Parker, Sakaio Pakome, Leo Pakome and Paulino Aloisio. Congratulations also to Terry Shiells, who was awarded with the Country Coach of the Year. At the end of Season 2012, Townsville was invited to join the ARU’s Junior Gold Program. The Program has been running in over 20 different centres throughout Australia, with Townsville being the newest inclusion. Over 50 players who have shown potential on and off the field, as well as a desire to play rugby at a higher level, were invited to participate in the program. Ten of Townsville’s Junior Coaches were also invited to join the program, which will expose them to the ARU’s High Performance Unit. The program will run through the off season and conclude just before the kick-off of Season 2013. 2012 Executive: Richard Lehmann, Grant Barrie, Bruce Shepherd, Peter Cavallo, Adrian Gabrielli, David Cooper, Anthony Burke. 3 | P a g e 2012 Representative teams. Senior Brolgas Sakaio Pakome, Chris Barlow, Rikki Abraham, Jordon Thompson, Joel Shiells, Joe Taina, Leo Pakome, Ashley Saltner, Paluino Aloisio, Dan Davis, Kris Neilsen, Seamus Huppatz, Shauin Barclay, Scott O’Neill, Apatia Matalau, Paul Mackin, Dan Withers, Chris Mann, Jeff Sullivan, Ross Rickards, John Alford, Tom Robertson, Cameron Rowlands, Alphonse Gima. Under 19’s Alick Gaiden, Alex McClymont, Dylan Cummins, Tom Curley, Jeremy Brown, Jim Lord, Callum Smith, Ginau Harry, Jarrod Killick, Dylan, Carew, Aaron Aguirre, Chris Wellington, Matt Walton, Andrew Kennedy, Tom Butcher, Andrew Beric, Nick Rowling, Jaiden Yeatman, Michael Parker, Lachlan Miller, Naill Molloy, Isaac Tipene, Tom Vinson. Players selected for North Qld. Sakaio Pakome, Leo Pakome, Joel Shiells, Joe Taina, Rikki Abraham, Paulino Aloisio, Seamus Huppatz, Scott O’Neil, Apatia Matalau, Jeff Sullivan, John Alford, Cameron Rowlands, Alphonse Gima, Tom Vinson. North Qld Under 19’s Alick Gaiden, Alex McClymont, Dylan Cummins, Jarrod Killick, Dylan Carew, Aaron Aguire, Chris Wellington, Matt Walton, Andrew Kennedy, Tom Butcher, Andrew Baric, Michael Parker, Lachlan Miller, Niall Molloy, Isaac Tipene. Players selected for Qld Country Heelers Sakaio Pakome, Rikki Abraham, Leo Pakome, Paulino Aloisio, Tom Vinson, Michael Parker. Junior State Championship teams U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 Ezekiel Chinfat Allan Moetaua Patrick Burke Zion Reto Beau Forster Isaac O'Dempsey Karl Raffe Ngatai Campbell Kaleb Toigo Blair Morgan 4 | P a g e Marshall Soa Angus Small Marcus Ryan Jarrod Pickering Patrick Brennan Toby Morgan Patrick Boniface Matt Cluff Clay Maclean Cade Kovacich Henry McKinnon Tom Smith George Konik Hugh Huppatz Leonard Heron Lachlan Buchanan Nick Jenkins Alexander Springall Harrison Phillott Matt Miller Angus Mussap Flynn Willocks Tom Audas-Ryan Angus Boyd Daniel Carman Jesse Kyle Patrick Brennan Lachy Dwyer Jack Horton Craig Gabriel Kyle Howarth Callum Payne Joseph Munro Jack Fletcher Damon Hesp Jack Nosworthy Josh Dalle Cort Jake Frazer Harri Hibbs Josh Fletcher Harrison Hughes Liam Orphin Frank Ray Everett Morris Billy-Joe Williams Ryan Townsend Josh Cocking Jack Soa Callum Brown Brendan Morgan Dylan Knuth James Dale Kailab Coventry Jack Jenkins Kurtis Cassady Takumi Kuwajima Nick Dooley Andrew Brennan Mac Flemming Brandon McConachy Regan Baker Nathan Cocking Tom Polkinghorne Josh Lamb Kadon Howell Kane Fuller Brandon Field Brandon Luta Trai Rainford Hayden Gaut Luke Moran Tyler Roberts Josh Muir Aniello Nastasi Chris Davids Connor Fahey Jordan Ramm Wes Mooka Dale Bainbridge Rob Gillespie Jack Dixon Ben Thompson Martin Brennan Josh Pyper Tarrant Clayden Thomas McCagh Duncan Pickering Mitchell King Spencer Anderson Reade McDonald Max Skinner Sheldon Brennan Karl Knuth Harrison Lowth Shane Kennedy Finn Kaesehagen Lachlan Ramm Phil Wallbridge Sam Arnold Rory Palmer 5 | P a g e 6 | P a g e 2013 Presidents report – 2013 – Lachlan Bell guys did a great job engaging with our players and hopefully inspiring them to one day follow in their footsteps. We also expanded the junior ranks with the introduction of an Under 8 program, which will no doubt continue successfully through 2014. Once again, all clubs were well represented throughout the Final Series. I would like to give a special mention to the Burdekin Under 11’s for a breakthrough season and their premiership success and to Teachers West for their strong representation throughout the finals. None of this is possible however, without the hard work and commitment of coaches parents and supporters. It goes without saying that the 2013 Senior Competition was the strongest and most closely contested in many years. Five of the six A grade clubs were in the premiership mix well in to the closing rounds of the season and the final series was again a great display of our local rugby talent. The Burdekin Rugby Club overcame competition favourites Brothers, to secure their first A Grade Premiership since 1994. Congratulations to all clubs and players that participated throughout the season. The Qld Junior Rugby Union State Championships were contested by our Under 13, 14, 15 & U16 Brolgas in 2013 which was held in Albany Creek, Brisbane. Once again Townsville performed exceptionally well on and off the field. We had a total of ten players selected in the respective Queensland Country team which is a fantastic reward for their hard work. Congratulations to all the coaches and managers for their tireless effort over the training period and also the competition. Townsville Rugby Union are excited for next year’s tournament. The Brolgas had another great year in the U19 and Senior Divisions, with the U19 team not losing a game and the Senior team becoming North Queensland Inter-State Champions against Cairns and Mackay. This year’s Brolga’s home game was a tremendous success with Townsville playing Cairns from U12’s all the way to the Senior Grade, the Brolga’s did not lose a game the whole day. Well Done. The Brolga and Army rivalry continued this year with the two teams facing off twice in the calendar year. Once again the brutal Anzac Day match took place with the Brolgas overcoming a brave Army side, grabbing bragging rights for 2013. The Remembrance Day game also was played this year with a Brolga Barbarians team playing the North Queensland Army side on this very special day. The Brolgas made it two from two in 2013 and everyone is looking forward to next year’s fixtures. After a successful Regional Championship, Townsville dominated selection in the North Qld teams to play Central Qld and South Qld. The U19’s lost narrowly to South Qld in Cairns but the Seniors came back from 36-0 down at half time to snatch an incredible win.