‘We can’t hide under blankets’: Battlelines drawn in chaotic Gold Coast rugby league season

Returning to play in 2020 isn’t about posting a profit, says a Gold Coast footy president.

Action from a Rugby League Gold Coast Round 16 match between Ormeau Shearers and Currumbin Eagles at Brien Harris Oval at Ormeau. Picture: Mike Batterham.

Returning to play in 2020 isn’t about posting a profit, Southport Tigers president Tim Mahoney says.

It’s about breaking even and fulfilling the commitment football clubs like his have made to the sport since their formation in 1930.

It’s about providing an environment for players to become involved in rugby league.

Clubs voting against continuing the 2020 season are guilty of “putting it in the too hard basket” instead of working towards that goal, the Tigers boss said.

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“Lots of our members are champing at the bit to get back to normal and we can’t hide under the blankets scared of something intangible,” Mahoney said.

“Unfortunately everyone is looking at what’s happening now instead of ahead to the next two-six weeks, which is when we’ll actually be able to take the field.

Conner Toia (Burleigh) and Tu Whakatihi (Southport). Picture: Glenn Hampson

“With restrictions opening you have to take the blinders off and look to the future.

“Seeing the way restrictions are moving, we’re destined to arrive at 200-300 people (permitted at a venue) on July 1 and 300-500 on August 1 at least, which is practically back to normal.”

Mahoney said the opportunity to recoup costs that cancelling the season would render as sunk should be a powerful incentive for clubs to return to play.

“All clubs have costs and when we’re not operating we have zero income,” he said.

“We pay all those outgoings even with no income so I’d rather roll the dice and play.

“If we can open the bar and canteen we can run fundraisers which will allow us to break even.

“There is lots to be considered and the decision has to be viable for your club, but at the end of the day if you have the right business model players should pay for the costs of running your club.

“It’s going to be a shortened season but with that comes reduced costs.

“I can’t see why clubs can’t proceed with the season.”

Mahoney expressed his unhappiness with Rugby League Gold Coast’s lack of leadership as the code navigates the greatest hurdle in its modern history.

“I’m bitterly disappointed in the fact the League is not leading us,” he said.

“My biggest issue with Rugby League Gold Coast as a governing body is they need to take leadership and decide we’re playing, give us a date instead of asking ‘Who’s in?’.

“We’re positive, we want to be in, and we’re hopeful everyone else does too.”

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The Ormeau Shearers will play no further part in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition in 2020 regardless of the outcome of Monday night’s board meeting, according to club president John Coulter.

That applies to both juniors and seniors, Coulter said, because the club cannot afford to operate under current restrictions limiting 100 people to a venue.

Even attempting to return to the field would threaten the club’s long-term financial stability after significant capital was invested in upgrading the club’s facilities ahead of the 2020 season.

Pictured at the Ormeau Shearers Junior rugby league club John Coulter, his wife Deb Coulter-Bryce and children Shamica Bryce, Shania Coulter, Chance Coulter and Kaleb Coulter. Picture: Mike Batterham.

“As president I have to do what’s best for us and that’s avoiding going bankrupt,” Coulter said.

“I honestly don’t understand the logic or the agenda of going back.

“The restrictions will hamper clubs to no end and put our volunteers under pressure.

“We won’t be making any money, fees are going down and that will cost money.

“I’d love to go back because we’ve got new facilities but people have lost their jobs and sport and paying registrations just isn’t a priority.

“If anyone says differently they’re not talking the truth.”

Coulter said the club conducted a survey last week asking if members would return in 2021 if there was no football played at Ormeau for the remainder of the year.

More than 90 per cent of respondents indicated they would return to the club the following season.

The club’s president said there was no incentive for his club to risk financial ruin by rushing a return.

Action from a Rugby League Gold Coast Round 16 match between Ormeau Shearers and Currumbin Eagles at Brien Harris Oval at Ormeau. Picture: Mike Batterham.

“I don’t understand why we’re being put under so much pressure to get back,” Coulter said.

“We can’t have a canteen and people can’t watch their kids; that’s our only source of juniors revenue outside of registrations, which will take a hit.

“Ultimately it’s a financial decision and even if other clubs vote no we won’t go back.”

Runaway Bay president Graham Gleeson said his club would also vote no to a 2020 return because of the financial risk it posed to the club’s viability.