Gold Coast Eagles president Ben Latimer hands over keys to Jason Terens
The Gold Coast’s oldest surviving rugby club is launching into a new era at Southport.
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The Gold Coast’s oldest rugby club has ushered in a new era with the election of new club president Jason Terens.
Outgoing president Ben Latimer has stepped down from the role after two years but will continue to support the club in a general board position and as a sponsor.
Treasurer Ben Garner will also vacate his position when a suitable replacement is found but until then will serve as interim treasurer.
South African-born Terens impressed voters at the Eagles’ 2019 Annual General Meeting over the weekend with a clear vision of where he hopes to take the club, backed by a large team of volunteers to help him realise it.
“It’s a very exciting time at the club,” Mr Terens said.
“The vision for us wasn’t me taking over but to work with a team of people who have skills in various areas of business and life.
“It’s an energetic team that want to get things done for the benefit of our kids, the club and the community.
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“Our group is spearheaded by our Under-13s head coach Grant Steffek because he was quite strategic in growing the environment we coach, play and socialise in into what is today.”
Mr Terens said his team had observed the club closely over the course of the year and identified key areas in need of improvement, particularly in engaging with their local catchment area and developing and supporting coaches.
Having members of the former club administration to assist in the transition is a resource Mr Terens described as invaluable.
“We haven’t come in to clear the decks and change everything,” he promised.
“It’s really to use our skills to put some structures in place for moving forward.
“For some it’s a fresh start but we want to put things in place that can launch Eagles back to its glory days and back to where we think it belongs.”
Pre-season training at the club begins in two weeks.
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