Community members who shape Wide Bay Sport
From committed coaches to generous community sponsors, the Wide Bay has it all when it comes to sport. Now, the people who selflessly give their valuable time to our local sporting community have been named.
Bundaberg
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Whether they’re helping to organise working bees or becoming the youngest in their sport to receive a call-up, the Wide Bay is full of people dedicated to our sporting community.
Here, we name 20 of the most influential people currently shaping Wide Bay sport.
Justin Giles - Gympie Gold Fins Swimming Club
On the way to work in 2017, Justin survived a very serious car accident and was flown to the PA Hospital where he worked extremely hard to rehabilitate his body.
As part of this rehabilitation, the 33-year-old father of two had to spend time in the pool as therapy.
In 2020, he went back to swimming training three times a week, returning to competitive swimming – a sport he retired from when he was 18 years old, some 14 years ago.
Giles now represents the Gympie region, swimming all over Queensland and Australia, in competitive swimming for the Gympie Gold Fins Swimming Club. He competes in the men’s 16 years and over events for Queensland & Australian Swimming Events.
The full time plumber, drainer and gasfitter also competitively swims for the newly formed Gympie Gold Fins Masters Swimming Club in the over 30s in the Queensland & Australian Masters Swimming Events and the Australian Masters Swim Series.
Giles is also a part of the Wide Bay Piranha’s representative swim team and was selected in the 2021/2022 team as both a mentor/coach for the younger team members and as a representative.
Giles was also selected in the Wide Bay Swimming men’s 15 years and over state relay performance team to represent our region at the Queensland State Swimming titles in early December 2021. He finished fourth in both the open men’s freestyle relay and individual medley relay.
Giles also volunteers his time for Gympie Gold Fins Masters and Gympie Gold Fins Swimming Club, and is a part of the committee for the 2021/2022 season. He also volunteers at Gympie Gold Fins club nights, is an assistant coach and mentors athletes when he can.
In the 2021 Australia Masters Swim Series, Justin is currently ranked first in Australia for the men’s 30- to 34-year-old age group.
Ian Grills - Bundaberg Cricket Association
It’s no surprise Bundaberg Cricket Association won the Queensland Cricket Association of the Year award in 2019 while President, Ian Grills was at the helm.
Grills’ passion and drive to see the Bundaberg Cricket Association succeed was evident in the amount of achievements the association saw over many years.
From working bees to managing entire game days for senior and junior cricket - Grills’ has been the helping hand behind it all to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Grills’ long-term involvement in Bundaberg Cricket over many years has also been quite the family affair, with son, Rhys and grandson Brendan being a part of representative teams over the years.
His wife, Bronwyn managed the canteen at Salter Oval, where she tirelessly dedicated her time.
Grills retired from his role as President at the end of last year, but is still a big part of the reason Bundaberg Cricket continues to run strong in 2022.
Mark Mason - AFL Wide Bay
Mark “Maso” Mason was an integral part of getting the women’s competition up and running in 2018 and was AFL Wide Bay League President at the time.
Brothers Bulldogs President Braden Krebs said Mason was instrumental in the creation and recognition of women’s AFL in the Wide Bay.
“Maso has always been a driving force behind the promotion of AFL in the Wide Bay, in particular the success of the Takalvans AFL Wide Bay Women's competition, now in its fifth year,” Mr Krebs said.
“He dedicates hours and hours of his own time behind the scenes to the game.
“Whether it be helping with working bees, organising afl clinics, organising league & sponsor events, this is all the things a lot of people don't see.”
In 2018, Mason was named State Volunteer of the Year in a prestigious award ceremony held by AFL Queensland.
In 2021, AFL Wide Bay named the Women’s Best and Fairest Medal in honour of Mason for his long-term local administration of the competition.
Lucy Hamilton - Cricket
Bundaberg product Lucy Hamilton played with the boys teams before earning a call up to represent Queensland and Australia.
Hamilton was part of Queensland’s under-15 squad that won the national titles in Canberra in 2020.
Her stellar performance saw her receive her baggy green when she was selected to represent Australia for a Cricket Australia XI later that year.
With help and support from her parents, the 16-year-old high-schooler has spent the last couple of years going from Bundaberg to the Sunshine Coast to play in the Katherine Raymont Shield in Queensland’s Premier Grade Cricket competition for the Scorchers.
In 2021, Hamilton was named player of the final for her contributions to the Sunshine Coast Scorchers after beating out the Gold Coast Dolphins in the Queensland Premier Cricket Competition at Robina.
She was contracted to play first-class cricket for Queensland, being named in the Queensland Fire squad in November last year.
Hamilton is one of the youngest players in recent years to debut for Queensland.
Jeff Morris - Hervey Bay Triathlon Club
From the Barge to Beach to the Hervey Bay 100, Jeff Morris’ dedication and long list of accomplishments as a volunteer demonstrates his passion to the triathlon scene.
The long-term member and Vice-President of the Hervey Bay Tri Club continues to help grow the participation rate, drawing people from across the country to compete in the events.
Morris was awarded Club Person of the Year at the Fraser Coast Sports Awards last year, while the Hundy 100 was awarded competition of the year.
The Hundy has grown into one of the most anticipated races in the Queensland triathlon calendar with almost 1000 participants across the weekend last year.
As Vice-President, Morris spends hours organising the club race calendar, co-ordinating the club’s social media pages, successfully obtaining grants for equipment for athletes and events, and assisting with running between six and seven local club events per year.
Morris was awarded Sportsperson of the Year at the 2022 Fraser Coast Australia Day Awards for his success and dedication.
Braden Krebs - Brothers Bulldogs AFL Club
From umpiring to playing, Braden Krebs has done it all.
In 2005 at the tender age of 18, Krebs began playing for the Brothers Bulldogs where he played 200 games for the side, including an appearance that saw the club take out the 2010 Wide Bay AFL Premiership.
The 35-year-old was voted in as President for the Brothers Bulldogs AFL Club this year.
Krebs’ continuous recognition for volunteering his time to local AFL hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Brothers Sports Club President Steven Plath saying his hard work as President has already paid dividends.
“It’s club that probably had minimal off field success the last two years,” Steve admitted.
“He’s worked very, very hard to engage a network of sponsorships to help provide funds for the club.
“He’s been very active in using modern channels, particularly the digital channels of engaging with a network of people to come on board and be interested and sponsor his AFL club.”
Steve says Krebs’ uses his skills to engage members of the committee and the club to actively participate within the club itself.
“Volunteers are really hard to get in these roles, he’s had a lot of success engaging people to help with things such as working bee day where they had about 40 people attend and they re-painted the whole place which has been awesome,” he said,
“He seems to have re-engaged a member base or a fanbase to come in and support the club.
“They played a game recently where, I have to say, was one of the biggest crowds we’ve had out there, particularly in my time, i’ve been involved AFL from 2014 to today.
“He’s been really active as well with the female side of it, he's engaged a female coach, the first female coach in the Wide Bay competition.”
Krebs has most recently picked up an array of accolades, including Brothers Sports Club Intraclub Volunteer of the Year, 2021 Brothers Bulldogs Club Person of the Year and 2021 AFL Wide Bay Community Umpire of the Year.
Helen Leggett - Netball & Touch Football, Bundaberg
With 40 years of netball and touch football under her belt, it’s no surprise Helen Leggett is one of the most dedicated sportswomen in the local community.
After playing representative netball for Bundaberg and Wide Bay competitions growing up, Leggett was selected to play for Queensland twice in the early 90s.
On a local level, she’s experienced more than a dozen premiership wins as a coach and player.
Aside from her stellar four-decade sporting career, Leggett is the founding member and life member of the Natives Netball Club and also a founding President of the Fusion Netball Club with Michelle Flick and Nadia Tairawhiti.
She also spent time as a Queensland talent development coach for two years.
The 48-year-old juggled her netball commitments with the position of registrar of Bundaberg Junior Touch after 10 years playing for the Bundaberg Touch Association.
During her time as registrar, Leggett was successful in lobbying for an under 10s boys and girls junior touch team and took up the position of coach for the girls under 10s.
The busy supermum-of-two is also a disability carer.
Her son, cricketer Kye Leggett said his mum is the most selfless person he knows.
“She’s always been that person who puts everyone before her so she get to the places you want to get to,” Kye said.
“She drives down nearly every weekend to Brisbane with Hannah so she can play division one softball down there with softball players.
“She fits my lifestyle, Hannah’s lifestyle and all of our training sessions and coaching sessions with her training and coaching sessions.
“She always puts herself on the backburner and puts me and Hannah first to make sure we’ve got everything.
“It’s one of her best qualities, she’s so caring.”
Antonio Kaufusi - Rugby League
‘Kaufusi’ is a household name nationwide for rugby league fans.
37-year-old Antonio Kaufusi showed potential early as a junior at Bundaberg’s Brothers Rugby League Club.
His talents saw him attending Nudgee College where he played Rugby Union
He catapulted into the big-time when made his first-grade debut with the Melbourne Storm in 2003.
It wasn’t long until Kaufusi began representing Australia, playing for the tri-nations against New Zealand in 2006.
A year later, the prop made his State of Origin debut for Queensland.
In 2009, Kaufusi was signed with the North Queensland Cowboys for a year before joining the Newcastle Knights for two years.
He spent four years in the UK before returning to Australia to sign with the Bulldogs NRL team in 2015.
He left rugby league in 2016.
Kaufusi moved back home to Bundaberg where he is still involved in the game as the coach of The Waves A-Grade side and is a teaching assistant at Shalom College.
Felise Kaufusi - Rugby League
Felise Kaufusi followed his older brother’s footsteps, playing rugby league for Brothers Rugby League in Bundaberg before being signed with the U20s North Queensland Cowboys team in 2010.
In 2013, Kaufusi made his debut playing for the Northern Pride in the Q-Cup.
It was his performances in the tropical north that saw him signed with NRL team, the Melbourne Storm in 2014, making his debut in 2015 against Illawarra.
Since the signing, Felise has represented his home country of Tonga in the Polynesian Cup and played for Queensland in the State of Origin.
He will continue to play for the Melbourne Storm until the end of the 2022 season.
Kaufusi will join brand new Redcliffe-based Queensland NRL team, the Dolphins, under coach Wayne Bennett for the 2023 NRL season.
Kaufusi continues to be a role model for Wide Bay rugby league hopefuls, visiting his hometown of Bundaberg yearly to meet with fans.
Colleen Miller - Gympie and Districts Netball Club
Colleen Miller is not only the face of the Gympie and Districts Netball Club, she has been an powerful force in growing the sport in this region.
Since taking up netball nine years ago, Miller has led the charge as president and has seen local numbers grow.
There has been a jump back into representative netball after a period of Gympie not fielding teams, which has raised the profile of the club in the wider region.
Reaching out to neighbouring netball associations like Maryborough and Noosa has led to Gympie competing in representative carnivals and developing the local umpire program.
Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui - Rugby League
Hailing from Widgee in the Gympie region, Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui played for the Gympie Devils before his talents were noticed by the Brisbane Broncos when he was still a teenager.
The James Nash High School alumni made his debut for the Australian junior Kangaroos and the Queensland under-20s and played in his first Intrust Super Cup grand final for the Easts Tigers in 2018.
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy didn’t know how to pronounce the teenager’s name when he showed up in Melbourne to debut for the side in 2019.
One thing he did know was that this teenager, standing at 197cm and weighing 107kg, has the all the makings of an NRL forward - he was big, strong and aggressive.
Fa‘asuamaleaui played for the Storm in the 2020 NRL Grand Final against the Penrith Panthers and was named Rookie of the Year Award for the side later that year.
He impressed origin selectors who called on him to make his Queensland Maroons debut in the 2020 State of Origin series.
Fa‘asuamaleaui signed with the Gold Coast Titans last year, signing a $3.3 million contract in November to extend his contract until the end of the 2026 season.
The 22-year-old was named Captain of the Gold Coast Titans on February 3.
Mat Fleming - Waves AFL Club
Fleming’s name is synonymous with Bundaberg sport, whether it’s from his years in basketball, rugby league, AFL, or cricket.
He was Vice-President of Across The Waves AFL Club in 2007 and 2008, was captain of the Combined Country Wests division one cricket team and was named President of the Bundaberg Basketball Association in 2009 after serving as a coach and player.
Fleming has captained Bundaberg representative sides and been a part of premiership-winning teams for his cricket team, The Waves.
The 47-year-old is currently the reserves coach for The Waves Eagles in the Wide Bay AFL Competition.
‘Flemo’ continues to selflessly contribute to Bundaberg sports and has been described as a “dedicated and good bloke” by cricket teammates.
Shaun Rose - Bundaberg Cricket Association
If you know Bundaberg Cricket, you know Shaun Rose.
Rose is the Treasurer for the Bundaberg Cricket Association, and has been an instrumental part in the relationship the association has with the Bulls Masters.
From the annual Bulls Masters tour schedule to Bundy Big Bash League events, Rose has helped to coordinate and manage it all.
The 43-year-old was instrumental in partnering with the Bulls Masters and working with Bundaberg Regional Council and the Bundaberg Rugby League to install new lights at Salter Oval.
Rose is also a dedicated member of Norths Cricket Club.
Jellina White - Gympie Devils Rugby League
Jellina White’s ongoing support of the Gympie Devils Rugby League Club has been a treasured gift to the players and coaches of the much-loved local club.
White is Owner/Manager of the Bank of Queensland Gympie Branch who has sponsored the club for a number of years.
In 2012, she was recognised by the Brisbane Broncos for her generous support to the club.
White’s whole family has been involved with the rugby league in Gympie since she moved them to her home town in 2008.
White’s 2012 sponsorship saw the Development officer at the time given a provision car to get around for the development program.
Her accolades include 2014 GWIB Business of the Year, 2014 GWIB Business Woman of the Year
and 2015 GWIB Employer of the Year.
She has continued to be a major sponsor of the Gympie Rugby League for over ten years.
This year after the floods, Jellina donated $3000 to the Gympie Junior Rugby League Club for a new kitchen and canteen even after her own BOQ branch was inundated with flood waters.
Dale Rethamel - Bundaberg Race Club, Bundaberg Cricket, Bundaberg AFL
If there’s a man who has known no bounds when it comes to the generosity and support of Bundaberg sport, it’s Dale Rethamel.
Rethamel sponsors over 30 local sporting clubs and community groups each year through his popular caravanning business, Takalvans, which he runs with his wife, Natalie.
The Bundaberg Race Club President is involved in an array of sports including horse and greyhound racing, cricket and AFL.
Rethamel has supported the Bundy Big Bash cricket competition since its inception in 2018, where he fully sponsors twenty20 cricket team, Takalvans Taipans.
He has also sponsored the AFL Wide Bay Takalvan’s women’s competition since it started in 2020.
Outside of sport, Rethamel also generously gives his time to the board for RACQ Lifeflight, where he’s been instrumental in funding to keep the lifesaving service in the air.
Rethamel was recognised for his service to the community by being named Bundaberg Citizen of the Year at this year’s Australia Day awards in Bundaberg.
Kieron Hyndman - AFL Wide Bay
Hailing from Hervey Bay, AFL QLD Fraser Coast Development Coordinator Kieron Hyndman, went back to the region to share his passion of AFL with the community.
27-year-old Hyndman has spent the last few years feeding the hunger of the Fraser Coast’s up-and-coming AFL stars, capitalising on their potential and providing the resources needed for individual growth.
AFL QLD State Community Football Manager Barry Gibson said Hyndman was an incredible asset when it comes to growing the sport within the region.
“Kieron’s an incredibly passionate football person deeply invested in the Wide Bay region, that’s where he’s from and that’s why he took the opportunity to move back several years ago and get involved,” Mr Gibson said.
“This is our first year managing the competitions phase and so far so good in terms of energy and engagement and the relationship he’s created with his stakeholders who have been outstanding.
“We’re really buoyed by what he’s done so far.
“People say you won’t work a day in your life when you’re doing something you love and I think that’s him, he loves football and he’s passionate about the area.
“To be doing something that invigorates him and motivates him every day, it’s good for the region, and it’s good for him that he gets to do something that he takes so much enjoyment out of.”
Shereene Moy
If you have passed through the Gympie region school sport system in the past 25 years, chances are you‘ve been lucky enough to know Shereene Moy.
The highly respected Gympie South State School teacher has dedicated herself to coaching for more than 30 years, spending most of that time within the region after transferring here early in her career.
What perhaps says the most about Moy’s passion for nurturing and encouraging up-and-coming sporting talent is her role as district secretary of all school sports, in which she co-ordinates between 140 and 160 children in an array of codes.
Her coaching commitments range from cross country, athletics, swimming, boys and girls rugby league and cricket at schools, boys touch, boys and girls rugby league and athletics at the district level.
On top of all that, she is the regional manager for Wide Bay swimming and Wide Bay boys touch.
Even after all her years of hard work, Moy says simply “helping others” is what she loves most about her job.
“I love seeing kids follow their passions and believe in themselves,” she said.
“At no stage would I claim I‘m responsible for the success they have, I just do my best to help them along on their pathway.”
Asked to name some of the most gifted young athletes she’s ever come across, Moy produced some real gems such as Melbourne Storm star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, former North Queensland Cowboy Carlin Anderson and professional golfer Charlie Dann.
“Charlie Dann is a story I still tell to kids now. He was a tennis player through and through at school, he‘d never played golf, but through one of our sporting programs he did a term of golf and look where he is now.
“Again, I’m not claiming responsibility for any of that, but it’s nice to give kids that little bit of motivation with their sport.”
Mike Ireland - Bundaberg Rugby League
Mike “Blocker” Ireland has been a true stalwart of Bundaberg Rugby League (BRL) for many years.
Starting as a player, Ireland worked his way into the committee as a Treasurer before he became Chairman.
The Goondiwindi boy played rugby league in various areas including Gladstone and Bundaberg before taking on a role as treasurer in the late 90s.
He became Chairman in the early 2000s.
While most know him for his dedication to the game itself, QRL Central Chairman Danny McGuire said it was a selfless and courageous act by Ireland that really stuck in his mind.
During the 2013 floods, Mike opened up Salter Oval to volunteers and emergency services to give them a place to camp while tending to those impacted by the natural disaster.
“He’s always put his hand up to help others in the region,” Danny said.
“He had the army there, the fire emergency services, state rescue, SES they all camped there.
“Bundaberg Rugby League funded all the lights and facilities.
“He coordinated and organised that.”
As Chairman of the BRL, Mike has seen a number of games played out at Salter Oval.
Ireland has been a driving factor in securing the 47th Battalion rugby league competition four times for Bundaberg, which involved teams from the region, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Sunshine Coast, Roma, Toowoomba, South Burnett.
He also helped bring a Broncos trial game to fans in 2016 when they played against the Cowboys.
Before the game was played, Bundaberg Regional Council were told they must have a fence around the grounds of Salter Oval.
“Council was short about $20,000 to fund that, so Mike and the BRL put their hands in their pocket and paid for the remainder of the fence,” Danny said.
“As a result of the game being brought to Bundaberg, the BRL made a fair amount of money from the gate proceeds.
“That money towards field improvements.”
Danny says if it wasn’t for Ireland, he’s uncertain how the BRL would look today, including the support of women’s teams in the region.
“He’s a big supporter of female teams,” Danny said.
“It’s good Bundaberg has maintained its four sides over the last few decades, with the two clubs on the Fraser Coast as well joining the competition, which is a testament to the efforts he’s put in.”
Ireland will continue to be Bundaberg Rugby League Chairman in 2022.
Shannon Ferguson and Karla Gerrard - South Kolan Rugby League Club
Two new volunteers put their hand up to take charge of positions on the South Kolan Rugby League club committee recently.
Shannon Ferguson, an aged care worker and Karla, an accountant, saw an opportunity to give back to the community, coming on board to help rebuild and reorganise and the club this year.
Vice President, John Tanner said Shannon has gone above and beyond for the club after it struggled in recent years.
“She’s done a wonderful job running in and out of time to get food stuff and all the rest of it,” John said.
“She filled out all of our paperwork for the QRSL, but they lost it, then she had to turn around and fill it all out again.
“It’s not a five minute job, but she did it.
“Without those two new girls we would have been struggling.”
President, Fred said everything was on the right track after the committee organised a fantastic day for round one.
The club suddenly bounced back in their first round of Northern Districts Rugby League two weeks ago.
“It was just incredible how everything was done,” Fred said.
“We’re still short of players, but they ended up winning by two point against Miriam Vale.
“Half time, South Kolan were NIL, Miriam Vale were 18.
“It was incredible.”
Fred said the day showed just how far the club had come after everything was so well organised by everyone, including Shannon and Karla.
“I’ve been involved in a lot of committees and this is up with the best i’ve ever worked with,” Fred said.
“They’re just great, great ladies.
“It’s choked me down, I couldn’t thank them enough.
“It’s a pleasure to see everything flowing so easy.”
He said the effects of COVID put their club on the back burner for some time.
“COVID knocked a lot of stuff around and suddenly you’re locked down and can’t do things,” he said.
“It affects volunteers feelings, but it’s changing now and we’ve got people coming back to give us a hand and i’m really glad the two ladies got on board.”
Kye Leggett - Bundaberg Cricket and Bundaberg Touch.
Sport has been running through Kye’s veins ever since he was a child.
He began playing sport as a 5-year old in 1998, growing up to play cricket, touch, rugby league and golf.
Leggett represented Wide Bay in cricket each year from 2010 through to 2015.
He was named as one of Queensland Cricket's' emerging players for three consecutive years between 2009 and 2011.
Leggett started playing division one cricket for Norths in 2011 at 13 years old, going on to help win premiership titles for the club in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.
He was the youngest player to play div one cricket for Norths, and the youngest player to make a ton in div one cricket for the club.
His performances on the field continued to pay off for the batsman who was named best junior cricket player of the year in 2014.
Leggett went on to represent South Queensland, Queensland Country and Queensland a cumulative four times.
He also has experience playing cricket in Sri Lanka, and spent an entire year in Scotland where he spent 7 months playing cricket in 2016.
During Bulls Masters tours of Bundaberg, Leggett was selected to play against them in two consecutive years.
When he wasn’t playing cricket, Leggett juggled touch football where he represented the Wide Bay each year from 2010 to 2013.
He made the Central Queensland touch team from 2008 through to 2016, played in the Touch T-League in 2012 and 2014 and made the Youth Championships for touch in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Leggett is also a level two coach for cricket and touch football, coaching from under 10s to under 18’s in Bundaberg and Central Queensland.
Nathan Hauritz - Cricket
Nathan Hauritz was born in Wondai before his family made the move to the Fraser Coast.
It was there in the seaside town of Hervey Bay that Hauritz perfected his craft as an off-spin bowler playing junior cricket for the Cavaliers.
Between the ages of 12 and 19, he represented Wide Bay, Queensland and Australia which included a number of youth tests and one day internationals.
He made his state debut with the Queensland Bulls against Victoria in 2001, playing first class and one-day cricket for Queensland until 2005.
He began playing first class cricket for the New South Wales Blues from 2006 to 2009.
Hauritz made his Australian test debut in 2004 against India and went on to play 17 tests with a 63 wicket haul and 58 ODI’s where he also took 63 wickets.
He picked up his 50th Test Wicket in Hobart in 2010.
He played his last test match for Australia on October 9, 2010 against India and his last ODI on January 21, 2011 against England.
Despite his retirement from international cricket, Hauritz was quickly signed to Big Bash team, the Brisbane Heat for the 2011-12 season where he played until 2013-14.
He signed with the Sydney Thunder for the 2014-15 season before heading to the Melbourne Renegades for 2015-16, his last BBL season.
In 2011, Hauritz was honoured by the Hervey Bay Cricket Association when they named one of their three Urangan cricket fields “Hauritz Oval”.
He lives in Brisbane, currently working as a cricket coach and consultant, but frequently makes visits the Wide Bay to continue to inspire and motivate the next generation of Fraser Coast cricketing superstars.
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