won by Warwick over USQ (minor premiers)

Reserve grade – won by USQ over Rangers (minor premiers)

Risdon Cup – won by Dalby (minor premiers) over Roma (runners-up for second year)

I am sure that the city-based clubs may not agree, but having 2 country clubs fight out the Risdon Cup GF is great news for our competition. As I have stated before, Downs rugby is a true country competition, and the strength of our rural-based clubs is a barometer of our overall health. There is no doubt that we are in great shape to progress rugby in this region.

Finally, I wish to pay tribute to our General Manager, Dominic Doyle, and our Junior Development Officer, Nigel Logan. Whilst they are paid employees, both Dominic and

Nigel put in hours well above their remuneration, and Dominic in particular provides exceptional assistance to me and the Management Committee.

I look forward to an extremely successful 2005 season, and to the future of Downs rugby.

Yours In Rugby

James Anderson DDRU President

GOLD COAST & DISTRICT

Following the resignations of Gerard Cummins and Ken Caldow, Brian Milligan was appointed to the position of

Administrative Officer. The other change in staff, at this office, was the appointment of Bree Hawkins to the position of the second Development Officer.

The Junior numbers within the District have reached the vicinity of 1600, in 110 teams, with a further increase being anticipated for 2005.

The D.O.s have been working on most of the schools, and all of the Junior clubs, in their endeavours to link, and increase, their children’s activities in our code. The results are very promising. The ‘Colts’ competition wasn’t as strong as first promised, with a few hiccups occurring, but the picture looks far more encouraging, for next season.

The Senior competition, involving Bond, Colleges, Coolangatta-Tweed, Eagles, Helensvale, Nerang, Palm Beach-Currumbin and Surfers Paradise, was very competitive. Bond had a stranglehold on multi-grade Minor Premierships this year, but bowed to the weight of a re-surged Surfers Paradise 1st-Grade in the Final.

The Gold Coast & District Rugby Union received an invitation from the QRU to enter three teams in the Brisbane Premier competition. Our response was to nominate the Gold Coast Breakers to participate at this level.

A review of this arrangement will be addressed, regarding 2006 onwards. The Gold Coast Breakers spoke well, for this city, winning the 2004 Brisbane Premier

competition and the Hospitals Cup, in a well-drilled performance against the more- fancied University side. Congratulations go to them all for a mighty effort.

Appreciation must be directed to David Baldon for his input as District Registrar, performing a mountain of work in keeping the record of players’ participation up to scratch.

Congratulations go to Tom Rosewarne, appointed “Cyclones” Senior Coach 2005, and to Peter Donohue to “Cyclones” Colts Coach 2005. Going on the events of the past season, and subject to availability, the playing-staff for their teams should present a strong force in the up-coming series.

Following an accepted proposal by the members, this District in its efforts to establish its own identity, moved from a shared environment at Fremar Street, Broadbeach Waters to a separate office, at 5/31 Station Street, Nerang. This is Gold Coast’s own “Rugby House”, with a staff of three - a number which the District would like to see increase, in the near future.

In the office set-up considerable time has been spent upgrading centralised records- systems, and looking at ways of improving the image of the premises with the view to establishing a secure and professional Rugby icon in our region.

In the District Management Committee’s vision of a united Rugby community, it produced a “Club Loyalty Agreement”, which was then signed by the Clubs’ Presidents and the District’s executives. This year, also, saw the District entering into a one-year “Partnership Agreement”, with the QRU, and an “Affiliation Agreement” with the Gold Coast Breakers. There are moves afoot to bring the Gold Coast Referees under the District banner, via affiliation processes.

Management Committee

Gold Coast & District Rugby Union Inc.

MACKAY & DISTRICT

Senior competition consisted of 343 registered players at eight teams - Bowen,

QUEENSLAND R UGBY ANNU AL REPOR T 2003 – 2004

47

Brothers, City, Glenden, Keas, Kuttabul, Proserpine/Whitsunday and Slade Point.

Grand Final Results - A Grade – Brothers - 22 d Mackay City - 21

Plate Final – Kuttabul – 23 d Glenden - 20 Summary of the Season:

• Competition commenced 28 March. • Reds Player visit 18-19 March – Anthony

Mathison, Stephen Moore, John Roe and Junior Pelasas.

• Country Championships- improved performance by the Stingers.

• Hosted Waihou RFC (New Zealand side) 18 March. Played composite Mackay side. • TARS match 05 June Qld Country Heelers vs. NSW Country Cockatoos. Great day, MDRU generated healthy return. • Mackay Secondary Schools Competition

– 27 sides approximately 540 players. Ran from April until end August. Joint Open Premiers - Holy Spirit College and Proserpine SHS.

• Juniors commenced 06 August - 42 teams - 620 registered players (includes 90 Under 18 players) a very pleasing increase. • Frontrow Rugbywear Under 18

Competition comprising of 5 teams (Brothers, City, Keas, Kuttabul and Slade Point) commenced 8 October and concluded with Finals on 12 November. • Sample Under 15 Girls competition

comprising 6 schools (Pioneer, North Mackay , Mercy , Mackay , Sarina and Mirani) playing 4 matches each week - commenced 13 October and concluded 10 November.

Improvements to Quarry Hill • Additional playing field (No.3) • Numerous facility improvements were

possible because of Work for the Dole Scheme provided by Mackay Skills Training eg: ticket booth, scoreboard, outdoor bars, canteen repairs, secured dugouts and outdoor pavements.

Future Directions

• Lighting to be installed on third field (already have $30,000 from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for this project) and further funding is being sourced to cover the balance needed. • Car park to be sealed and lit in 2005. • Finance being sought to Freehold our lease. • MDRU will continue our joint

development plans with Mackay Christian College.

Dan Coonan President

MOUNT ISA

Mount Isa Rugby Union Inc. farewelled a successful domestic season with the 2003-04

grand final on Saturday, April 3 between defending premier Keas and Warrigals.

Keas, under the guidance of captain-coach Nick Treweeke, capped a fine season winning the LD White premiership trophy 13-12 in a tense but top game of rugby. Congratulations to both sides and to all participating clubs.

There is still a struggle to get Cloncurry to play on a regular basis but there is talk and hope that this will be rectified during the 2004-05 season.

The summer season is proving a success and based on the grand final, the standard is improving. I see this has been a continual campaign for MIRU with other winter sports feeling the affects of competing against one another.

The representative season held higher hopes on the back of the strong domestic season but that was not the case with Central Highlands again proving the stumbling block and winning the Western Division title undefeated. This division continues to work together to improve the standard of rugby and provide better opportunities for its players. I am hopeful that the proposed Barbarians side will come to fruition and that in the short-term it will provide a player capable of playing at the Australian Rugby Shield level.

MIRU has formed a strong relationship with clubs and sponsors. MIRU committee has been open to change and ideas which are giving strength across the board. The demise of rugby league has opened a door of opportunity but one which must be carefully addressed.

We have become self-sufficient insofar as promotion is concerned and our focus will be to source identities which we deem suitable to come to the region and assist in this area.

I thank the QCRU board for its commitment to country rugby and look forward to the future of the Heelers and the direction representative rugby for country players will take.

Thank you, Glenn Faulkner President

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY RUGBY UNION CONTINUED

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SUNSHINE COAST AND DISTRICTS