Shared growth goals, benefits for ‘Ipswich’s army’

Fresh from their latest Rugby League Ipswich grand final victory, Swifts club officials and supporters can join the push for a new NRL team, receiving valuable assistance.

Fresh from their latest Rugby League Ipswich grand final victory, Swifts club officials and supporters have another exciting venture to contribute to and benefit from.

They can share in the “Ipswich army’’ looking to be part of a 17th NRL team based in south east Queensland.

Through a growing partnership with Easts Tigers in Brisbane, Swifts Leagues Club is backing the Firehawks syndicate which has lodged a submission to the NRL.

Firehawks chairman Stephen Bullow was recently elected Swifts Leagues Club chairman after the passing of former boss John Hughes.

With ties to the Brisbane Easts Tigers club, which own the Firehawks, Bullow is working with an active group of Ipswich-based officials on the NRL bid.

Through his personal business, Bullow is also assisting Swifts in a range of strategic areas like governance, financial and facility management, operations, player recruitment, payments and wellbeing programs, and community priorities.

A major goal is to help revitalise a tradition rich Ipswich club formed in 1919 that has produced famous footballers like the Morris brothers, Gary Coyne and Walters clan.

Booval Swifts have a long connection to Easts Tigers.

Bullow joined other Easts, Swifts and Firehawks backers at Sunday’s Rugby League Ipswich grand finals.

They included Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club president Keith Phillips, Swifts Rugby League Football Club chairman Craig Patrick, Swifts Leagues Club vice-chairman Paul Morris, Easts and Firehawks CEO Brian Torpy, and Firehawks board member Des Morris, who has multiple Easts committee roles.

Morris brothers Paul (left) and Des were keen spectators as Swifts beat Brothers in the latest Rugby League Ipswich grand final.

Paul, the current Swifts Leagues Club vice-chairman, has played a leading role in building stronger ties between the Swifts and Easts Tigers leagues clubs.

“We have always had an allegiance with Easts, going back 60 odd years,’’ Morris said.

“It has always been a loose arrangement and now they’ve come on board and they are helping us out with coaching of players, coaching of coaches and direction with the leagues club . . . to help run the place better.’’

Morris said Easts had earmarked $8 million for the Swifts Leagues Club to help fund the footy club and its important development work.

He sees tremendous advantages in Swifts working more closely with Easts and backing the Firehawks NRL bid being led by experienced rugby league administrator Shane Richardson.

“It’s a huge benefit to the Ipswich area,’’ Morris said.

“It identifies talent - not only in the players but in coaches, administration of the footy club as in volunteers and administration of the leagues club.’’

Morris said that will help build better pathways to the NRL through Easts and the Firehawks.

Easts are also a Queensland Cup feeder club for the Melbourne Storm.

Morris said Swifts were the “Ipswich army’’ working with the Firehawks where most of those involved are volunteers.

“Swifts are 100 per cent behind it and all the members and players are just running with the idea of us going forward to a bigger and better club,’’ Morris said.

That is another boost for Swifts after Sunday’s 44-22 A-Grade grand final victory over Brothers.

Recently appointed Swifts Leagues Club chairman Stephen Bullow is also chairman of the Firehawks NRL syndicate.

Bullow, who is a barrister, showed his faith in the Bluebirds operation by taking on the Swifts Leagues Club chairman role after the previous long-term commitment of Hughes.

He was previously invited to become a director of Swifts Leagues Club before being elected chairman.

That is the former Redcliffe player’s third official role along with his Firehawks chairmanship and Eastern Suburbs leadership commitments.

Regarding the Swifts connection, Bullow has been offering his extensive knowledge in Ipswich.

“I have personally been providing advice around the management of the leagues club, which is separate to the football club,’’ he said.

“We’re providing governance support and financial assistance to improve the operations at the leagues club and the facilities of the leagues club, including what the leagues club offers to its members and guests.’’

With Swifts having strong rugby league traditions, Bullow said the football club deserved so much support.

That’s why the offer of assistance from the Easts group, covering junior and senior rugby league, has been so valuable.

With Swifts having a focus on developing rugby league in booming areas like Springfield, Purga and the Ripley Valley, Bullow said it was a timely fit to have the Bluebirds and Tigers strengthen their partnership under the Firebirds NRL bid.

That was considered especially important as AFL boosts its profile in Springfield through its stadium development.

“We could see Ipswich as a growth area for younger families and therefore young people wanting to play sport,’’ Bullow said.

He said the potential for expansion was strong in the next 20 years.

Bullow said if the Firehawks won an NRL licence, they would have a much better chance of success in growing the game and providing a pathway.

Firehawks NRL bid logo

The Firehawks are one of three south east Queensland-based syndicates who have presented their cases to the NRL hierarchy.

The Brisbane Jets and Redcliffe Dolphins are also lobbying to become the 17th NRL team.

Representatives of the three bid teams have made presentations to a committee which included ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and commissioners Kate Jones, Megan Davis and Peter Beattie, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, head of football Graham Annesley and CFO Richard Gardham.