Warren Heilig appointed Rockhampton Rugby League operations manager

‘It’s just one big conveyor belt to help make dreams come true’: He introduced rugby league to Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Now experienced player and administrator Warren Heilig is ready to breathe new life into the game in Central Queensland.

Warren Heilig likes to think of himself as the “Steve Irwin of rugby league”.

“I’m a massive rugby league fan,” the newly appointed Rockhampton Rugby League operations manager declared.

“I’m really, really passionate about it and it’s an easy sell when you’re passionate about it because other people feed off that enthusiasm and they tend to go with you on that.”

The 42-year-old is bringing that passion and enthusiasm in spades to the position, which he started on January 31.

But he also comes with vast experience as both a player and administrator.

Weilig played his first game as an excited four-year-old with Wynnum Manly in Brisbane.

He went on to represent that club, as well as Souths Logan Magpies, in the Queensland Cup.

He played in America and also had a two-year stint with the London Skolars in England.

He has worked with the NRL and had a year in Auckland, working with the New Zealand Warriors’ youth development squad.

Heilig was also responsible for introducing rugby league to Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

He married a Norwegian and moved to Norway, living there for about seven years.

There he worked for the Rugby League European Federation as the Scandinavian development manager before being appointed general manager of Rugby League Norway.

“The guys over there, they’re kicking on and going really well,” Heilig said.

“It’s a proud achievement for me to see that something I just started in my head is now thriving.

“They’ve probably got more clubs and members in Norway now than they do in Rockhampton.”

Heilig returned to Australia about 10 years ago and was living on the Gold Coast.

He was to take up a position with the Canadian Rugby League before Covid put a stop to that.

“That didn’t get off the ground but then fortunately I got a call from Rockhampton Rugby League to say they were looking for an operations manager and I got through the interviews and here I am,” he said.

Heilig said priority number one was bringing that enthusiasm back to local league.

“We want people to know when the games are on and we want them to come out and support them,” he said.

“For me, my biggest push is for $50 you can go and have a day out and watch some good local footy.

“I’ve watched games online, I haven’t seen a live one yet but I’m looking forward to that, but there’s a lot of talent here and the games are played at a really good standard.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has said I’m a Norths man or I’m a Brothers man or I’m from Yeppoon and we love footy out there.

“Everyone’s got their club but when I asked when’s the last time you went to a game, they say ‘I haven’t been in years’.

“Well, that’s my job - to get crowds back and get them enthusiastic about the game again.

“We plan on making it bigger and better and the only way we can do that is to get people out watching the games and knowing we’ll put on a good show.”

Heilig said once the support swelled the RRL could look to make the clubs more professional.

“That’s what we would like to see down the line - the clubs getting more financially stable and they start attracting outer talent,” he said.

“We’re looking further afield - if you want to get a Townsville player who’s going alright, maybe he might want to try his luck in the Rockhampton competition.

“Once the clubs get a bit more financially viable - which is obviously my job as well to come up with more ideas to raise a bit more money and be more financially stable - then we can start looking at growing the competition itself.

“I’ve got some ideas in the pipeline that will help us with that and hopefully it all works out.

“I’d like to think that in 12 months time we’re well on our way to growing the comp and the grand final at the end of this year will be one of the best and one of the most sought-after tickets of the year.”

Capras' CEO Peter White and Dolphins' head coach Wayne Bennett announce the clubs' affiliation at the Rockhampton Leagues Club in December.

Heilig said he was excited about the recently announced affiliation between the CQ Capras and the newest NRL club, the Dolphins.

“It all feeds into it; the juniors want to feed into the seniors, the seniors want to feed into the Capras and the Capras want to feed into the Dolphins,” he said.

“It’s just one big conveyor belt to help make dreams come true.

“A Rocky kid now, rather than watching the likes of Cameron Munster leaving town because they had to, can stay here because there is a clear pathway to the NRL.

“We can keep them at home now and that’s exactly what Rockhampton wants; we don’t want to see the talent drained out of here.

“That’s a very exciting prospect and it’s something I’ll definitely be cheering on and doing my best to help out with.”