Bond University history: Sports journalist Andrew Hamilton to release book, Phoenix Rising
International rugby legends have shared their “incredible tales” of how they soared through the ranks, starting from what was once a small Gold Coast team.
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International rugby legends have shared their “incredible tales” of how they soared through the ranks, starting from what was once a small Gold Coast team.
Sports journalist Andrew Hamilton will release his new book Phoenix Rising, a story chronicling the history of the Bond University Rugby Club, on March 21.
The book was written through the eyes of former players, coaches and administrators.
International rugby legends including dual World Cup winner and former captain of the Wallabies John Eales, former Irish hooker Francis Canavan, former Wallabies player Greg Cornelsen and more are set to gather on the Gold Coast on Friday for the book launch.
“Notwithstanding humble beginnings, the club has always been ambitious and forward-thinking,” Mr Eales said.
“Bond Rugby now enjoys an excellent reputation, and this book is testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of some legendary characters, most of whom have served unselfishly in unpaid rolls.”
Former players reminisced on when the Bond University rugby team launched in 1988, before the university campus had been built.
They shared their “humble beginnings”, including how they had to run into the surrounding pine forest for bathroom breaks.
Bond University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Brailsford said the formation of the team was a pivotal moment in the Gold Coast’s rugby history.
“The initial team comprised of a motley crew of staff members who were still capable of pulling the boots on, supplemented by players drawn from the local community, and who were then joined by students as the campus opened for business,” he said.
“The Bond University Bull Sharks are now a permanent fixture in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition.”
Despite the success of the club now its history wasn’t without many hurdles, including when they were forced to merge with the Pirates in the 1990s and again with the Breakers in 2013, when they became the Bull Sharks.
Local identity Terry Jackman reflected on his involvement in the 2013 merger and how it changed the trajectory of the club.
“Time has gone on and people have moved on, and it (the Bull Sharks) has been a big success for rugby,” he said.
“We could never have gotten rugby on the Gold Coast where it is today without the move to Bond.”
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