Brother of Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh details way forward for Nerang Roosters Junior Rugby League Club

The brother of NRL star Reece Walsh has declared the junior rugby league club that produced the State of Origin representative has discovered its fate after being under threat of folding. Discover its future here.

The Nerang Roosters Junior Rugby League Club looks to have avoided collapse. Picture: Mike Batterham

The brother of NRL star Reece Walsh has declared the junior rugby league club that produced the State of Origin representative is no longer under threat of folding after becoming president.

Zac Walsh was voted into the role as Nerang Roosters junior president on Monday, days after the club launched a desperate bid to raise $100,000 in funds to enable juniors to participate in 2024, due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

Walsh said the club had already raised around $25,000 and was confident the proud establishment that also produced dual-code international Mat Rogers wouldn’t close its doors.

“The threat of folding is gone. We have a plan in place to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Walsh said.

Reece Walsh, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We are in high spirits and don’t plan on giving in easily. The community rallied around each other and we are excited for the journey ahead. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

“We can’t help what has happened. All we can do is move forward and stick together.”

Walsh said he couldn’t detail why the club found itself with a $100,000 financial black hole but revealed Rugby League Gold Coast and the Roosters were both investigating.

A former Roosters junior, Walsh played at the club from the age of three through to 15 before signing with South Sydney.

He then spent time at the Newcastle Knights before returning in 2019 to captain the senior side to a premiership.

Walsh’s father Rodney was also heavily involved with the club for years, playing A Grade for Nerang before spending time with the Tweed Seagulls.

“I’m pretty overwhelmed to be chosen to be president but the club means a lot to me and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of getting it back to where it was,” he said.

Rugby League Gold Coast chairman Peter Daly said Nerang was a critical development club for the district.

Nerang Roosters Junior Rugby League president Zac Walsh. Picture: Supplied.

“Nerang plays an important role in the rugby league ecosystem on the Gold Coast and has produced a number of wonderful players over the years,” Daly said.

“Not just at NRL level, but in the local A-Grade and Queensland competitions.

Daly is confident that while the club has experienced some “hiccups”, it is heading in the right direction for the 2024 season.

“We just have a few things we’d like to work through with them, but everything is positive and on the rise,” Daly said.

“They’ve ordered jumpers and everything and Rugby League Gold Coast has given their support.”

Nerang will hold a working bee this Saturday from 10am, with any residents welcome to attend.

EARLIER

The Gold Coast junior rugby league club that produced NRL star Reece Walshwill has appointed his brother to lead it out of financial meltdown.

Nerang Roosters took to crowdfunding website GoFundMe last week asking for $100,000 in donations to enable juniors to participate in 2024, due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

Zac Walsh was voted in as president on Monday and will oversee the club’s bid to reach stability again.

Reece Walsh, the Brisbane Broncos star dubbed the face of rugby league in 2024, joined the fundraising drive by issuing a plea for support on national television over the weekend.

“The club’s going through a bit of a tough patch at the moment,“ the injured star told Channel 9.

“I thought it was only right for me to get back down here… give a helping hand where I can.

“My whole childhood revolves around this club.

“It just has that real family vibe, and I am who I am today because of this club.”

Rugby League Gold Coast chairman Peter Daly said Nerang was a critical development club for the district.

Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh (front, right) as an under-6s player for the Nerang Roosters -2008

“Nerang plays an important role in the rugby league ecosystem on the Gold Coast and has produced a number of wonderful players over the years,” Daly said.

“Not just at NRL level, but in the local A-Grade and Queensland competitions.

Daly is confident that while the club has experienced some “hiccups”, it is heading in the right direction for the 2024 season.

“We just have a few things we’d like to work through with them, but everything is positive and on the rise,” Daly said.

“They’ve ordered jumpers and everything and Rugby League Gold Coast has given their support.”

The Roosters advertised the presidency last week, asking for applicants who had been a part of the Nerang JRLFC committee for a minimum of two consecutive years.

Along with the presidency up for grabs, Nerang also advertised positions of Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

“Once the AGM is finalised on Monday night, it will be back to normal with the Roosters’ under-6s through to senior grades playing the greatest game of all time,” Daly said.

Nerang's Reece Walsh captained Queensland under-16s against NSW and was one of seven Gold Coasters in the side. Photo: QRL

A host of NRL players took their first steps towards rugby league stardom on the back paddocks at the Roosters including Mat Rogers and Kevin Kingston.

Titans forwards Keenan Palasia and Klese Haas, Broncos backrower Brendan Piakura, Manly winger Jaxson Paulo and Eels playmaker Daejarn Asi are all active players who spent time at the Nerang club.