GCDRU revolution will hand power back to clubs

A new chairman and one of Queensland’s finest rugby representatives will lead the GCDRU board in a new direction that more closely embraces the local clubs.

Player Elton Flatley lining up kick. Rugby union - Australia Wallabies vs Scotland World Cup quarter-final match at Suncorp Stadium 08 Nov 2003. a/ct

A new chairman and one of Queensland’s finest rugby representatives will lead the Gold Coast District Rugby Union board in a new direction that more closely embraces local clubs.

The GCDRU have appointed former Wallaby Elton Flatley to the organisation’s board and promoted current member Dr Rod Thomson to the chairmanship after three months of caretaker leadership.

The organisation deferred selecting a replacement for previous chairman Kim Bending until Monday’s board meeting after the veteran administrator’s sudden resignation in July.

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A voting bloc of clubs disgruntled with the existing top-down power structure at the district elected popular referee’s association boss Thomson to relieve acting chairman David O’Brien.

The diplomatic Thomson, a South African-born psychologist and longstanding local referee, was a unanimous selection for clubs aiming to adopt greater influence in district decision-making.

New GCDRU boss Rod Thomson with former chairman Kim Bending. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

The board will be up for re-election early next season but their next term will be capped at 12 months after the board ratified a motion to repeal the three-year terms introduced in 2017.

Clubs hope the move to annual elections will create greater accountability to stakeholders, which was a growing source of discontent with the Bending administration.

Thomson said his first priority would be bridging the divide between the clubs and the GCDRU.

“The board needs to get back to being close to the clubs again,” he said.

“I’ve been involved for 15 years with grassroots rugby through refereeing and I’ve built great relationships with the clubs and there’s great trust and mutual respect there.

“Good leaders listen to their people and work with them.

“That’s really why they’ve asked me to take on this position and I’m very grateful for that groundswell of support.”

Thomson said he would build his tenure upon the pillars of consultation, communication and consolidation.

The appointment of former Wallabies centre and Reds centurion Elton Flatley is no symbolic gesture.

Elton Flatley lining up kick. Wallabies vs Scotland World Cup 2003 quarter-final match at Suncorp Stadium 08 Nov 2003.

The 43-year-old will take on an active role heading up a subcommittee on junior development and community outreach, where his experience can inspire and educate.

“Now is a good time for me personally to get involved because I’ve got a bit more time to devote to it,” Flatley said.

“Gold Coast rugby has got some good things going for it and I’m excited to really get into the local rugby community more than I have in the past.

“I haven’t got a lot of experience on boards so I’ll be a junior member and watch and learn, but I know the rugby side of things and that’s where I want to help.

“Get involved with the young kids and get those pathways firing on the Gold Coast.”

Flatley and Thomson will continue on through 2021 while other board members will seek re-election in March.