Runaway Bay stalwarts Graham, Mitch and Nick Gleeson on their rugby league beginnings

WELL known in Gold Coast rugby league circles, the Gleeson family’s connection to the sport can be traced even further back in the bloodlines.

WELL known in Gold Coast rugby league circles, the Gleeson family’s connection to the sport can be traced even further back in the bloodlines.

Graham is the long-serving president at the Runaway Bay Seagulls and his twin sons Mitch and Nick have just as much become cornerstones of the club during the past two decades.

Graham believes it hails from their time in the NSW country towns of Orange and Cargo, where his father Sonny coached.

There, Graham played as a lock forward and his sons were ball boys. They relocated to the Gold Coast in late 1998 and the following season the now 56-year-old had a run for Bay’s masters team.

Mitch, Graham and Nick Gleeson. Picture: Tim Marsden

“Then I got sucked into the junior committee so that’s how it all started,” he recalled.

Having initially not been allowed to play footy outside of the backyard or at school, Mitch and Nick eventually joined Bay’s junior program and have never looked back.

Mitch, whose movement has been affected ever since he had meningococcal at age four, has represented his country in disability rugby league as well as taking the field in senior able-bodied games for Runaway Bay until an injury run sparked him to join the club’s coaching staff.

Mitch Gleeson training with the Gold Coast Titans physical disability team in January. Picture: Jerad Williams

“He inspires a lot of other people that are involved,” Nick said.

“I’ve never seen him as being different. I think if you talk to anyone who has played with him or against him, he’s probably one of the toughest guys you have ever come across. He is tough as nails.

“Obviously we played a lot of backyard footy. Being a bit quicker I could go around him but if you ran at him, you’d definitely know about it.”

Nick played A-grade for the Bay but was forced to retire in 2011 due to shoulder injuries; last year he was head coach of the side that won the top tier premiership.

Runaway Bay Seagulls after winning the Rugby League Gold Coast A-grade premiership. Picture: Rugby League Gold Coast

“When I came into the club playing seniors and that, we generally weren’t a good A-grade side,” said the 31-year-old, who is six minutes younger than Mitch.

“We struggled each week to fill a side and be competitive.

“I’ve always wanted the club to be successful so being a part of that side, being the coach, was awesome.

“I’m probably more happy for the club than anything because I have been there for 20 years now and over 10 years with the seniors now and I know what they have been through and I know how much work goes in behind the scenes. It’s just good for the club.”

Mitch added of their second home: “It’s nine months a year down at the footy club Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays or Sundays.”

That passion all links back to their grandfather.

“That comes from my old man because he was pretty committed to a club … I think that’s why Nick and Mitch are so passionate,” Graham said.