Bush Beat: Brent Kite’s labour of love at Tweed Coast Raiders, Michael Gordon going home

BRENT Kite won’t get paid to coach the Tweed Coast Raiders this season, but the former premiership-winning Manly prop doesn’t care.

New Tweed Coast coach Brent Kite with some of his players. Picture: Scott Powick

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BRENT Kite won’t get paid to coach the Tweed Coast Raiders this season, but the former premiership-winning Manly prop doesn’t care.

For Kite, coaching the Raiders in the Northern Rivers competition is all about development.

The Clive Churchill Medallist from the Sea Eagles’ 2008 Grand Final triumph wants to coach in the NRL and sees the Tweed Coast as a stepping stone.

“Being a part of an amateur club has given me a new lease on my coaching career,” said Kite, who played 313 NRL games for the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Panthers.

“I coached in the Ron Massey Cup and then assisted out at Wentworthville last year, but I had to weigh up if I still wanted to be a coach or was it just a progression from playing and sticking to something I know.

“It was a fork in the road to work out if I really wanted to do it without the incentive of getting paid.

Brent Kite was a premiership winner with the Sea Eagles.

“But it’s great to deal with guys at the Tweed Coast. They are really keen and hang off every word because they want to learn and improve, which is refreshing.

“I’m really glad I kept chasing my coaching goals.”

Kite’s keenness to kick start his clipboard career was shown when he paid for his own flights from Sydney to the Tweed Coast for two months to start pre-season training in October.

He has since relocated to the Tweed area, but his team-first actions have created a strong precedent within the club according to president Josh Sattler.

“Brent has been a really good fit for us from a leadership perspective,” Sattler said.

“We started pre-season in October and he was flying up from Sydney on his own bat and flying back again until he moved up here.

“Plus, all the experience he brings has been phenomenal for us.”

In a bid to improve his coaching skills, Kite has spent time with the Gold Coast Titans in recent weeks.

Kite would like to follow in Des Hasler’s footsteps. Picture: Warren Clarke

He says it has been hugely beneficial to watch Titans coach Garth Brennan in action.

“Garth has been nice enough to let me come along and learn how they do it at the top level,” he said.

“He put 16 years in before he got an NRL job. Initially I thought I wouldn’t stick it out for that long.

“But I’d love to coach first grade one day. I love the game and teaching the tactical and problem-solving side.

“If I can help someone improve, that would be very rewarding.”

Kite, who has experience as a youth mentor, will also help the Tweed Coast club in the mental health space.

The Raiders are holding a pre-season Nines competition on March 3 to raise funds and awareness for the NRL’s State of Mind initiative.

Michael Gordon is expected to finish up at home. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

Flash Gordon coming home?

Tweed Coast president Josh Sattler has reaffirmed the club’s desire for local junior Michael Gordon to play for the Raiders when his NRL career is finished.

Gordon has signed a two-year deal with the Titans, but Sattler is confident he’ll return to his former club when his first grade tenure is finished.

“Of course, you couldn’t keep Mick away from this club if you tried,” Sattler said.

“It’s no secret up this way that he will be here post his NRL career.”

In a further boost, the Tweed Coast have former Canberra, Queensland and Australian fullback Gary Belcher helping out the juniors this season.

Lima giving back

When Jeff Lima called time on his successful career spanning 14 seasons and six clubs last season, he felt lost.

He no longer had the routine of training and football, which left him yearning for the company and competitiveness to return.

Jeff Lima of the Raiders comes off with an injured finger during the round four NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Gold Coast Titans at GIO Stadium on March 26, 2016 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

It’s why Lima has signed with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos this season to keep busy and give back to grassroots rugby league.

“You lose your purpose when you retire and some days you wake up and think: ‘what am I going to do today?,” said Lima, who played 233 top grade games in the NRL and English Super League.

“I guess that’s why I wanted to play for Queanbeyan. I mate of mine plays there, so I thought I’d join to help the young fellas coming through.

“I also want to keep fit to be honest. When you stop playing, I suppose you just eat whatever you want because you don’t have a strict program anymore.

“But hopefully playing a little bit of country footy will help me lose some weight.”

Originally published as Bush Beat: Brent Kite’s labour of love at Tweed Coast Raiders, Michael Gordon going home