Gold Coast rugby union: How 5000 Gold Coast rugby union players were left ‘in limbo’ after 2016 QRU takeover of local administrator

GOLD Coast rugby union bragging rights go on the line again on Saturday - but it's a far cry from when the competition was on the brink of collapse.  RELIVE THE STUNNING REVIVAL

4th November 2020, Gold Coast Rugby Union Grand Final PreviewPhoto: Scott Powick

GOLD Coast rugby union bragging rights go on the line again on Saturday - but it's a far cry from when the competition was on the brink of collapse. 

The Gold Coast Bulletin will livestream a commentated feed of Saturday's 4pm first grade grand final, featuring Griffith Uni Colleges Knights and Nerang Bulls, and 1.40pm's second grade decider between Colleges and the Gold Coast Eagles.

The winner of the first grade clash will take home the Phil Temperton Cup, named after the legendary Gold Coast coach and administrator.

But the trophy was only renamed for Temperton two years ago. Until then, it was known as the Michael Summers Memorial Trophy.

Here is the story of how Coast rugby came back from the brink.

Why Nerang think they can stop a grand final juggernaut

HOW THE SAGA STARTED IN MARCH, 2016

MORE than 5000 players in 14 local rugby union clubs are in limbo going into the 2016 season after the departure of the district’s board and management over $190,000 in debts.

An emergency meeting was held last night to discuss the competition and future of the code in the region, after Queensland Rugby Union took over operations of Gold Coast District Rugby Union last month.

The Gold Coast organisation owes $105,000 to the Australia Tax Office, $25,000 in superannuation and $60,000 to various others, including about $30,000 to the estate of the late Michael Summers, a former chairman and current Premiership Cup namesake.

 

Coomera Crushers president Jai Johnson said the takeover was “very disappointing” and said the QRU was to blame for part of the financial pressures, as it slugged Gold Coast players three times the membership fee it charged Brisbane players.

“It was right at the start of the season when we found out and it’s put the whole competition on the Gold Coast in limbo,” he said.

“It has thrown a massive spanner in the works in regards to how we plan the season.”

Mr Johnson said the impact of GCDRU’s problems would be felt far beyond the players, which include 160 juniors and 50 seniors in his club alone.

“It affects the families that come and support their grandkids, and also the community work we do,” he said.

“We have a program of rugby for autistic children and we can’t even plan that.”

GCDRU life member Phil Temperton said the organisation had gone bust four years ago under similar circumstances and things had deteriorated again after the death of Mr Summers, who had ploughed his own money into it before he had a heart attack in 2014.

“The place has been left in a shambles,” he said.

Two senior managers of the organisation have also left, including Murray Archibald and general manager, Heath Claydon.

Mr Claydon referred the Gold Coast Bulletin’s inquiries to five QRU staffers, who declined to comment yesterday.

The QRU released a statement saying the GCDRU had “uncovered some financial issues related to a previous administration” and had asked QRU to “assist” with administration.

“As such, the QRU has now stepped in and we are working to provide the normal delivery of administration and Rugby services to protect all the efforts of the Rugby community in this region,” it said..

There will be no further comment from the QRU at this time.”