Legendary Blackhawks captain Dan Beasley to lead Burdekin into new era

Rocked by off-field turmoil this year, one RLTD club is ready to leave a dark period of its history behind and begin a new era under one of Townsville’s most decorated leaders.

Former Blackhawks captain Dan Beasley. Pic Darren England.

Foundation Blackhawks captain Dan Beasley will return to the Burdekin to coach the Roosters in A-grade in 2024.

Rocked by off-field turmoil that led to club coaching director Jason Williams being charged with more than 30 child exploitation offences this year, the club is ready to leave the darkest period of its history behind and begin a new era under Beasley.

Beasley, 31, said the special place rugby league held in the heart of the region was an opportunity to bring together the community and begin to heal.

“I think rugby league is a great platform for people to come together,” Beasley said.

“Obviously there has been some turmoil but creating a successful and strong culture at the club allows a pathway for people to aspire to.

Dan Beasley of the Townsville Blackhawks at the QCup season launch. Pic Darren England.

“That’s a big thing for regional towns and that’s what this is going to be about, developing a culture to bring the club back to where it was.

“I’m not trying to sell this as an inspirational situation but the more we can develop a culture at the club that people want to buy in to, the better it will position us long-term for success.”

Townsville Rugby League match between Burdekin and Centrals at James Cook University. Burdekin's Daniel Beasley. Picture: Evan Morgan

Beasley is to embark on his first coaching assignment for the Roosters but plans to draw on a decorated Queensland Cup career to lead the way for a rebuild.

Beasley played for Norths and Mackay before joining Townsville as its inaugural skipper in 2015, carving out a reputation as one of the hardest workers in the Queensland Cup over an 88-game career.

The middle forward’s 4min 28sec record in the 1.2km time trial was believed to have been the fastest of any local footballer until the Cowboys’ Tom Dearden broke it last week.

Townsville Rugby League match between Burdekin and Centrals at James Cook University. Burdekin's Daniel Beasley. Picture: Evan Morgan

Beasley made his debut for the Roosters in 2019 after affiliating himself to the Burdekin to take advantage of the hunting and fishing on offer around Home Hill and Ayr.

That love affair continued after his retirement from the Queensland Cup that season before he returned to the Roosters for a cameo season in 2021 while also travelling Australia in a caravan.

He said his former coach Chris Perry and ex-teammates had been “pretty persuasive” about taking on the role.

“It’s a great opportunity. I’m bonded with the club and I want to see it do well and bring some success down to the Burdekin,” Beasley said.

“Coaching probably wasn’t ever my intention. As I came to the end of my career I thought I would step away from rugby league for a while and I’m back into it a little sooner than I thought, but we’ve got a good bunch of boys down here and I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Beasley said he would not be an active player on the recruitment market and, beyond two key targets he hoped would sign on to be his on-field leaders, is prepared for the task of developing a homegrown Burdekin outfit.

He said he would wait to assess the composition of his group and its strengths before determining the team’s attacking identity but one trait would be non-negotiable.

“Competing on everything is the way I saw my career and how I played,” Beasley said.

“In whatever aspect that is we’ll try to create a competitive culture and camaraderie as well. I want to install a culture where the boys have great relationships with each other on and off the field.”

Originally published as Legendary Blackhawks captain Dan Beasley to lead Burdekin into new era