Currumbin Eagles’ recruitment plan and rising talent underpins minor premiership sweep

A RECRUITMENT drive aimed at bringing Currumbin juniors back to the club is largely behind their sweep of the Rugby League Gold Coast minor premierships, coach Ryan Gundry believes.

A RECRUITMENT drive aimed at bringing Currumbin juniors back to the club is largely behind their sweep of the Rugby League Gold Coast minor premierships, coach Ryan Gundry believes.

The Eagles have emerged from the finals wilderness in spectacular fashion this year, clinching first place at the end of the regular season for A-grade, reserves and under-19s – the first time the Galleon Way club have achieved the feat.

“The president, all of the coaching staff, the water runners, all of the people that do all of the work off the field – that one is really for them,” Gundry said.

Currumbin Eagles A-grade, reserves and under-19s celebrate their sweep of the Rugby League Gold Coast minor premierships. Picture: Supplied

Asked what sparked their dramatic uplift, he pointed to the arrival of standout figures filtering down through the squad coinciding with their young guns filtering up.

“I was pretty conscious of making sure that we got good people to the club first and then footballers,” Gundry said.

“A lot of people looked and said ‘oh wow, how come you got him’. I’ve known a lot of these guys for a very long time from when I used to play so I know the values of them and they have brought people along with them.

Ryan Gundry with halfback Phil Ramage. Picture: Mike Batterham

“Also Martin’s (Griese, assistant coach) influence down there as well with what happened at Tugun, some guys had a point to prove.

“Our big focus was all about getting back our local juniors, guys like Mick Burgess, Reece Worboys, Joel Rapana, Hayden Allsop, Phil Ramage.”

The success of Currumbin’s under-17 side last year has flowed into under-19s – and there’s more to come, with their current crop of under-16 and under-17 teams competing for titles.

Reece Worboys in action during Currumbin’s Round 10 match against Runaway Bay. Picture: Jerad Williams

Having earnt a welcome week off after a jam-packed regular season, the Eagles’ next task will be on Sunday week against the winner of Runaway Bay and Tweed Heads this weekend.

Gundry acknowledged that rivals such as Bay and Tugun arguably enter finals with more momentum but is confident his players will stand tall as key men return in the nick of time.

“It’s about getting your best players on the paddock … I haven’t had my six and seven together since Round 5 against Burleigh,” he said.