Gold Coast Rugby: PBC rugby manager Michael Bell signs on with Premier Grade powerhouse Brothers
The backbone of the Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators rugby club is leaving the Gold Coast to take over as rugby manager at one of the Queensland’s top clubs. READ THE FULL STORY
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The backbone of the Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators rugby club is leaving the Gold Coast to take over as rugby manager at one of the Queensland’s Premier rugby clubs.
Michael Bell helped prepare the Alleygators for their return to first grade in 2020, where the club reached the semi-finals in their first season back in the top flight.
He posted a statement to social media on Saturday morning confirming he would be taking a new position at Brothers rugby club in Brisbane.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am moving on from my club,” he said.
“The timing isn’t anywhere near ideal however I have accepted the role of Rugby Manager at Brothers Rugby Club and (am) heading back to full-time footy.
“It’s an enormous opportunity for me … but I am also sad for what I’m leaving behind at the Gators.
“When I started at the club I didn’t know anybody and in just over two years I’m leaving with the knowledge that I have made some lifelong friends.
“I want to thank the players and coaches who had to operate in extremely difficult circumstances to rebuild our rugby teams into competitive sides.
“Through no fault of their own we were severely hamstrung by a number of years of mismanagement of the club finances that left it on the brink of collapse when I joined in November 2018.
“We made a tough but correct call to only field a Reserve Grade side in 2019 and finished 2020 as semi-finalists in First Grade, narrowly missing a spot in the Grand Final.
“I’m a manager for the players first. Sometimes it doesn’t sit well with board members (especially ones who bring a club to the brink of financial ruin) however rugby always was and should always be a game for the players and coaches first.
“I am leaving the program in a much better position than what it was when I arrived and encourage all of our players, members, supporters, partners and volunteers to stick with it. 2021 promises to be an even better year on the field.”
Bell said he had given his four weeks’ notice to the club and would continue to attend trainings on Thursdays as the Alleygators map out a path forward without him.
Senior committee chairman Michael Joseph thanked Bell for his service and guidance through the club’s darkest days.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Belly and what he’s done,” Joseph said.
“He came in when we were down and needed guidance and helped us assemble hardworking junior and senior committees, which we got together under Belly’s tutelage.
“We were lucky to have him for the time we had him and now we’ll have to move on.”
Joseph said he did not expect an exodus of players following Bell out the door, with an air of unfinished business over the club after a 20-14 semi-final loss to eventual premiers Colleges last year.
The search for his replacement at Alleygators has begun in-house with head coach Jed Hogan and academy coach Ryan Roberts prepared to handle duties until an appointment is made.
MISTAKES OF THE PAST GUIDING NERANG TO BRIGHT RUGBY FUTURE
NERANG Bulls have already begun succession planning to ensure their breakthrough season of 2020 can translate into a new Bulls dynasty on Pappas Way.
It took 14 years of rebuilding from its last grand final appearance for Nerang to return to the Gold Coast’s big dance but plans are in place to learn from the errors of a generation ago.
Club president Heath Claydon has served in that role for three seasons but has already identified his successor, taking first-grader Adam Sloan under his wing to groom him for the responsibility of leading the club into a new era.
Sloan, 31, played on the wing as a senior statesman in the Nerang side that lost 33-15 to Colleges in the grand final last season.
The average age of players at Nerang is just 21, a sign that the Bulls will be even stronger in coming years.
Claydon said identifying the Bulls’ next generation of leaders early would help prevent the club from stagnating as it did following 2006.
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“I’ve been doing this for three years and didn’t want to get to the point in two or three years from now that we have no one in place to keep the club going forward and improving,” the former district chairman said.
“I’ve been around Gold Coast rugby for almost 20 years and I’ve seen at other clubs a lot of presidents get stuck at a club for 10 years because they can’t find someone to entrust.
“It’s good for the club in bring in new people with fresh blood and energy. Though Adam is still up there in first grade he was the perfect person to ask if he was interested in taking this club forward. “
Claydon said there were no plans to pass on the torch in the short term, providing ample time to guide his protege’s development as the club’s vice-president.
Sloan said his vision for the Bulls’ future lay in changing the old “boys club” culture to one that welcomed and valued the families of the club.
“I want to be a part of changing the culture,” he said.
“For years Nerang had this culture where the seniors and juniors weren’t divided but they weren’t united either.
“I’ve been at the club for 16 years and I’ve probably got four years left of rugby left in me.
“I’ll get to 20 years, hang the boots up and then help the club grow.”
Sloan is the son of former Nerang coach and committee member Steve Sloan, making him the first second-generation administrator to volunteer at Pappas Way.
Where to play women’s rugby on Gold Coast
AFTER a COVID-affected down year women’s rugby union is back on the Gold Coast and poised for its biggest season yet.
A women’s senior competition and three junior divisions (U13, U15, U17) will launch anew in 2021 to ensure every player looking for a game can find one.
Southport club Gold Coast Eagles captain Nicole Ireland said the season one to remember as droves flock to the Olympic sport.
“Women’s rugby on the Gold Coast is definitely bigger and more exciting than ever,” Ireland said.
“It’s definitely a great sport for girls to get around.
“Rugby is one of the most inclusive sports for girls and one of the fastest growing.
“Anyone of any ability level or body could get involved and find a place in this sport.
“Anyone is definitely welcome, any age, to come down to Gold Coast Eagles or any of the other clubs.
“You’ll be welcomed with open arms and we’d love to have you down here and involved in our sport.”
Casuarina Beach player Indiana Grey, 15, couldn’t agree more.
“I think of it as having fun and making new friends,” she said.
“It’s definitely not too big and scary. It’s people your own age and even the older girls are very welcoming.
“They’re just the sweetest people ever so rip in, I say.”
LIST OF WOMEN’S RUGBY CLUBS ON THE GOLD COAST
Coomera - Coomera Crushers
Helensvale - Helensvale Hogs
Southport - Gold Coast Eagles
Nerang - Nerang Bulls
Ashmore - Griffith Uni Colleges Knights
Broadbeach Waters - Surfers Paradise Dolphins
Miami - Bond Pirates
Currumbin Waters - PBC Alleygators
Casuarina - Casuarina Beach Barbarians
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