Labrador Tigers and Surfers Paradise to honour legend of both clubs with new QAFL Cup

“To do the things he has done at two clubs on the Gold Coast over a long period of time is nothing short of sensational.” Labrador and Surfers Paradise will honour a legend who has influenced both QAFL clubs when they play for a new Cup this weekend.

LABRADOR and Surfers Paradise will honour a legend who has influenced both clubs when they play for a new Cup this weekend.

The Tigers and Demons will play for the inaugural Col Bourke Cup on Saturday at Cooke-Murphy Oval in Round 11 of the QAFL.

Bourke is one of most revered figures in Gold Coast football, having been involved in either club for over 30 years and boasting success few others have.

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“Terms like icon and legend get thrown around pretty casually in life, but to us at Labrador Football Club, Col is absolutely an icon and legend of AFL on the Gold Coast,” Labrador president Nick McGuire said.

“Most people would be hugely proud of the things Col has achieved at one club, but to do the things he has done at two clubs on the Gold Coast over a long period of time is nothing short of sensational.

Col Bourke’s contribution to Labrador and Surfers Paradise will be honoured this weekend when the two club’s play for the Col Bourke Cup. Picture: Regi Varghese

“Col is a hugely respected member of our Football Club, a great bloke, a legend of the game and an unassuming and humble character and we are absolutely a better place as a result of his involvement.

“Also, special thanks to Surfers Paradise Football Club, we have been great rivals on the field for a long time, off the field we have the utmost respect for them.

“When we approached them about this idea they responded immediately in support.”

Bourke coached Surfers Paradise to four grand finals and two premierships and was named as the coach of the Demons’ Team of the Century.

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He then shifted to Labrador where he was assistant to Neville Fields when the Tigers went to three grand finals and won two premierships in the 1990s before becoming head coach and taking them to two more premiership deciders.

Bourke, the Tigers’ current chairman of selectors, has since been involved in numerous administration roles with the Tigers, working in the background to help them reach five more grand finals and two premierships.

Bourke has also coached the Gold Coast AFL, South Queensland and Queensland Country representative teams.

COL BOURKE’S FOOTBALL HISTORY

Surfers Paradise Football Club:

1 year Assistant Senior Coach.

7 years Senior Coach, (4 Grand Finals 2 Premierships).

Named Coach of the Team Of The Century.

Labrador Football Club:

Involved at Labrador Football Club for in excess of 25 years.

3 years Assistant Coach (To Neville Fields), 3 Grand Finals 2 Premierships in the 1990s

3 years Senior Coach, 2 Grand Finals.

Subsequently involved in Administrative Roles:

— Football Manager.

— Football Department Manager.

— Chairman of Selectors.

— During these Admin years (since coaching), the club also featured in 5 Grand Finals for 2

Premierships. (Coaches were Jarrod Field (GF 2009) Steve Daniel (2 GF 2014 & 2015 1 Premiership 2015) Perry Meka (1 Premiership 2016) and Aaron Shattock (1 GF 2017).

Currently Chairman of Selectors.

Awarded Life Membership and Hall of Fame.

Other:

Coached Gold Coast AFL (6 years), South Queensland (3 years) and Queensland Country (6 years).

Awarded Australian Sports Medal by the Australian Government.