Sport
26 March, 2021
FNQ Rugby League: Men on a mission
UNITING 16 clubs, almost 3000 junior players and thousands of coaches, officials and volunteers is not a small task, and certainly not one without a few headaches.
Uniting 16 clubs, almost 3000 junior players and thousands of coaches, officials and volunteers is not a small task, and certainly not one without a few headaches.
The vision for a united Rugby League in the Far North is to become a reality as FNQ Rugby League becomes the governing and operational board for the sport here in the North.
Innisfail, Eacham District and Rugby League Cairns Juniors have all moved for their clubs, 16 in total, to affiliate with FNQ Rugby League.
This move unites the clubs spanning an area from Cardwell to Mossman and west to Ravenshoe and creates better opportunities and pathways for players and officials.
Nigel Tillett, QRL Northern Region Director, feels this move is timely and much needed. “The move is well overdue.”
“Clubs will have more time to spend at club level. This new model will free up time and resources within the clubs, allowing them to concentrate on developing their club, with the competition development done at a board level.”
“This new structure is well and truly due. In Cairns we have had 6 to 7 organisations involved in the game here in Cairns, each setting their own policies and directions.
“Whilst it’s worked for many decades its time to move on from there to an overarching board model that can take the game forward as a total region.”
Other regions have adopted a similar structure with Mackay successfully restructuring several years ago. The restructure covers the junior rugby league competitions in the region with the Northern Pride sitting outside of the new structure.
“The Northern Pride will be involved with the new league, whilst not at board level they will be heavily involved in directions and decisions of the new league.
“The future of the Pride depends upon the success of the junior competitions in the area,” he said.
Robbie Moore, QRL FNQ Area Manager felt a change was necessary in the sport. “All the stakeholders around the table, making it easy for our volunteers and making decisions in the best interest of the game.”
The new structure for the league includes a mixture of appointed and elected Directors with a variety of experience, skills and backgrounds, supported by committees with distinct roles and responsibilities.
FNQ RL Board
Robert White – Independent Director, Chair and Competitions Committee
Daniel Maher – Independent Director, Finance and Governance Committee
Chey Bird – Independent Director, Development and Stakeholders Committee
Paul Callaghan – Elected Director, current RL Cairns Juniors and CDJRL Chair
Troy Cooper – Elected Director, current Innisfail JRL Chair
Barry Dikes – Elected Director, current Eacham JRL Chair
Naomi Travers – Elected Director, Malanda JRL President
