GCDRU: Nerang Bulls Chris and Stephen Williams on their Indigenous culture and Gold Coast rugby union

INDIGENOUS father and son, Chris and Stephen Williams, are proudly flying the flag for their culture in Gold Coast District Rugby Union.

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Running onto the rugby field for the first time with his son Stephen was a memory Nerang Bulls second grader Chris Williams will never forget.

The father and son, members of the Yuin Nation on the NSW south coast, debuted together for the Bulls last year.

Over the course of 12 months the Williams have grown together to become a central part of their teams’ undefeated start in Second Grade.

(L-R) Stephen Williams and Chris Williams are father and son. Picture: Nic Darveniza

Stephen, 19, is Nerang’s flyhalf and a junior Cyclones representative who fell in love with the code after leaving the Burleigh Bears in rugby league to play with mates at Bond Pirates.

Chris, 40, is his adoring dad, best friend and the team’s hooker, who came out of sporting retirement to take the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play alongside his eldest child in a sport that had captured their hearts.

“As Indigenous people we’re more well-known to play rugby league,” the elder Williams said.

“If you look at the NRL at the moment you see Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell, and growing up in a small Indigenous community we all aspired to be someone like that.

(L-R) Stephen Williams and Chris Williams are father and son. Picture: Nic Darveniza

“Unfortunately in rugby union Indigenous people don’t have that same profile on TV and unfortunately in Gold Coast rugby I don’t know if there are many players who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

“As a father and son who do, it makes it pretty special.”

Their journey toward the Game They Play In Heaven began in 2014, when a group of Stephen’s mates invited him to join them at Bond Pirates for an all-conquering season that ended with the Brisbane Junior premiership.

“I left to have a go at something different and fell in love with it,” Williams said.

“There was just so much more options. I’d never made a rep team in rugby league and after two years in rugby I’d made the Cyclones.”

Chris signed on to help coach his son’s team and was soon bitten by the rugby bug as well.

It was while the pair were supporting a friend of Chris’ at Nerang in 2020 that the idea to take the field together became a reality.

“Stephen was at an unfortunate age where as young men they gain employment or girlfriends or study so sport gets put on the backburner,” Williams said.

“If you look around now they don’t have a competition for U18s and or U19s on the Gold Coast so for him to play rugby it meant stepping up into seniors, which was an opportunity that fell into my hands.

“As a father and son we were joking around about when we went out to Nerang and I said what do you think?

“We went to training and signed up that week and made our debuts together. I’ll never forget that moment – I had goosebumps for weeks.”

Their father-son relationship has blossomed into so much more since becoming teammates, their rare accomplishment honoured permanently on a plaque at Nerang’s clubhouse.

“To do it with your son, who is also your best friend, that is amazing,” Williams said.

“It’s character building. We’ll ride this ride together through the highs and lows and it’s brought us much closer together.”

The Williams have each other’s backs on the field, especially if other teams set out to ruffle the feathers of Nerang’s young flyhalf, with his old man quick to play the bodyguard when required.

(L-R) Stephen Williams and Chris Williams are father and son. Picture: Nic Darveniza

Williams is also a teacher for his son and his five younger children, sharing stories about his culture and upbringing in Wreck Bay Village, population 160, to educate and inspire.

“My culture is something I celebrate every day with my children,” he said.

“I embrace my culture and am always telling them stories from my grandmother, who was part of the stolen generation.

“As I say to some of the boys, it’s about keeping that candle lit and sport is a big part of it.”

The challenges Williams has overcome have been numerous but all have been tackled with the hope of allowing the next generation to stand tall on his shoulders.

“For me there were lots of barriers, moving from a small country town to the Gold Coast, the big smoke, where catching public transport and even traffic lights took getting used to,” he said.

“Things like working to a certain time is not something we’re used to back in our small community.

“Obviously the tokenistic stuff like being labelled a darker-skinned person, and we still have challenges like that today where people believe – because they’re uneducated, I wouldn’t call it racism – that we get things given to us.

“People believe we get free housing or health or carparks, that’s absolutely not the case.

“It’s why I think things like the Bulletin using sport as a platform to educate people is priceless.

“We’re trying to move forward as a country to be as one but it’s going to take time.

“I’m only here for how long I’m here but if I can make a difference using sport a platform to educate people then that is fantastic.”

Stephen’s rugby journey continues on Saturday when he lines up for the Northern Gold Coast U19s in a Gold Coast Cyclones trial match at 1pm at Surfers Paradise Rugby Club.

The ‘psychological tool’ Bond will deploy to snap Colleges streak

- Nic Darveniza, 29 May

A YOUNG Bond Pirates team unscarred by 2018’s ‘Knight-mare’ 116 and 112 point defeats to Colleges will venture to Heeb Street on a quest to bury their club’s easybeat reputation.

No team has suffered more at the hands of Gold Coast’s latest rugby dynasty.

Bond’s points differential of -495 from eight matches is the stinging reminder of how far the club has fallen since reaching the 2015 decider.

Veteran No.8 Bradley Plant and fullback Damien Timms are the sole players in Saturday’s line-up to have ever beaten the Knights but that is part of the reason they believe it can happen again in 2021.

“I can’t even really remember it,” Plant said of Bond’s last win over Colleges, a 23-22 thriller in 2017 buried since by eight straight losses.

“There are only four or five boys who played in 2018-2020 so those fresh faces are nearly why it’s going so well (in 2021).

“They’re all young boys coming through this year and that’s almost a good thing because they don’t know how we’ve played lately.

“They’re almost naive, they don’t know how other teams have gone, they’ve come in and it’s changed the way we’ve played as a team.”

A clean slate is the powerful psychological tool Bond (3-2) must embrace if they hope to launch a new era by breaking Colleges’ 21-match unbeaten run.

Plant has no secret formula to share with his young teammates but has been on the wrong end of the scoreboard enough to recognise the fatal mistakes they must avoid.

A strong start is critical to denying Colleges the momentum that feeds their fearsome attack.

“It’s like a snowball effect,” Plant said.

“They get a few points up and then you can’t come back.

“They’re the most well-drilled side that’s played in the last 10 years so it will be about getting under their skin and playing the type of rugby they don’t want to play.”

The rolling maul that trampled Surfers Paradise for three tries last weekend is certain to feature in that game plan.

Colleges return to their Heeb St base for the first time this season after major renovations forced them onto a five-game road trip.

In other round six matches Surfers Paradise (2-3) host Helensvale (4-1) at Albert Park, Nerang (3-2) welcome the Eagles (0-4) to Glennon Park and Coomera (2-3) host Palm Beach Currumbin (1-4).

GOLD COAST RUGBY POWER RANKINGS: MAY 10, 2021

Who is the best senior club rugby team on the Gold Coast in 2021? Bulletin reporter Nic Darveniza ranks the contenders for that honour from 22-1.

1. Bond University (QPR First Grade)

The Gold Coast’s flagship rugby union team suffered their first loss of the season to ladder-leaders GPS in the Hospital Challenge Cup but took the scalps of defending premiers Easts in a three-match winning streak to open the year.

The Bull Sharks could yet prove the best club team in Queensland, let alone the Gold Coast.

2. Bond University (QPR Second Grade)

Bond’s second grade outfit only won their first match of the season last weekend but still have the firepower to overcome local heavyweights Colleges and Helensvale if push came to shove.

Former Wallaby Lloyd Johannson has brought heavy-hitting power to a midfield combination with talented centre Ronan Kapi.

3. Griffith University Colleges Knights (GCDRU First Grade)

The Griffith University-based side have set the benchmark in local rugby for the past five seasons and 2021 is proving no different.

They earned their rank atop the GCDRU competition with a narrow escape act over Helensvale, prevailing 24-21 with a late penalty goal.

Captain Jaye Paton is arguably the competition’s best player while former Premier Grade stars Richie Kingi, Cass Walding and Tereina McLean also shine.

4. Bond University (Third Grade)

Bond’s final senior team has plenty of talent, including former Australian Schools No.10 Matt Minogue and Canadian U20s forward Lachie Currie.

Nerang proved the GCDRU competition is roughly the equivalent of fourth grade in the QRU during pre-season so a third-grade team who tied the defending champs belongs here.

5. Helensvale Hogs (GCDRU First Grade)

After starting the 2021 season on fire, putting 50 points on the Gold Coast Eagles and 39 past semi-finalists PBC, Helensvale will feel aggrieved they rank below Bond’s thirds and arch rivals Colleges.

Star recruits Lausii Taliauli (Brumbies) and Reno Gerrard (Souths) are averaging more than a try per match.

6. Nerang Bulls (GCDRU First Grade)

After pushing Colleges to the brink in round one the Bulls have scored 11 tries in two weeks but still lack the class of the GCDRU sides ranked ahead of them.

Flanker Tom Coombs has enjoyed his best start to a season yet and his four tries have helped cover the loss of injured fullback Will Bird (hand) in back-to-back wins.

7. Bond Pirates (GCDRU First Grade)

The Pirates are on pace for a finals berth, sitting third on the ladder after three weeks. The whipping boys of Gold Coast rugby since 2019, Bond have punched above their weight every week under new coach Buck Heron.

Bradley Plant at No.8 and Damien Timms in the backs have taken their games to new heights.

8. Coomera Crushers (GCDRU First Grade)

The Crushers have won just one match this season after shrinking from three grades to one, but in beating Surfers Paradise showed the form that made them one of the most feared teams of 2020.

Centre Tyrell Forbes is the real deal with three tries in as many weeks.

9. Surfers Paradise Dolphins (GCDRU First Grade)

The Dolphins had no place on this list even a week ago but in dominating Palm Beach Currumbin 31-19 are tracking in the right direction. Young gun Indiha Saotui-Huta has scored 25 per cent of the club’s total tries with two of eight.

Expect more when Surfers take on down-on-form rivals Eagles this weekend.

10. PBC Alleygators (GCDRU First Grade)

There is no more frustrating team on the Gold Coast than the Alleygators, who can swing from scoring 26 points in a half against Helensvale to aimless depending on where the wind blows.

They’ve missed top contributors early in the season but until we see consistency they will struggle to climb this list or the GCDRU ladder.

The best of the rest:

11. Helensvale Hogs (GCDRU Second Grade)

12. Gold Coast Eagles (GCDRU First Grade)

13. Griffith Uni Colleges Knights (GCDRU Second Grade)

14. Bulls (GCDRU Second Grade)

15. Surfers (GCDRU Second Grade)

16. Bond Pirates (GCDRU Second Grade)

17. PBC (GCDRU Second Grade)

18. Griffith Uni Colleges Knights (GCDRU Third Grade)

19. Nerang Bulls (GCDRU Third Grade)

20. Helensvale Hogs (GCDRU Third Grade)

21. Hinterland Celtics (GCDRU Third Grade)

22. Bond Pirates (GCDRU Third Grade)

THE BIGGEST QUESTION FACING COLLEGES IN 2021

LIFE after “Harro” has begun for the Gold Coast’s reigning rugby champions after star openside Harrison Cummings set his sights on the Queensland Premier Rugby scene with Bond University.

Exactly who will replace the fiery flanker is the biggest question facing Colleges coach Johnny Ngauamo this off-season.

In two trials the Knights have cycled through plenty of options in the back-row, with early indications that skipper Jaye Paton will move from the base of the scrum to the flank.

It’s a position he is well accustomed to after starting his career in the jersey Cummings now hopes to fill at Bond University.

Paton said although there could be no replacing a player of Cummings’ quality, the similarities between their games would make any transition as smooth as possible.

“Harro brought a lot of aggression to our pack so that’s where we’ll need to step up and fill that,” Paton said.

“We’re obviously sad to see him go but hopefully he goes well at Bond and I’m sure he’ll do amazing things.

“Me and Harro play quite similarly in that we both love big, physical football.

“There’s not too much different in roles between No.7 and No.8 for us and we’ve got a few options at both positions.

“We’ve been experimenting this trial season to find out what directions works best for us.”

Early indications after trials against Noosa Dolphins (19-10 defeat) and the visiting Melbourne Unicorns, the back-to-back champions of Melbourne’s Dewar Shield (34-14) are that a back-row unit of Henry Morris at blindside, Paton at No.7 and Nikau Wilson are the favourites to return.

A spanner in that plan could be the potential return of grand final-winning flanker Tysen Urry from retirement.

The man nicknamed “Pup” hung up the boots alongside good mate Seb Gallagher after the win over Nerang but Gallagher has already changed his mind, casting Urry’s retirement into doubt as well.

AROUND THE GROUNDS: Brisbane Irish 19-10 Gold Coast Eagles; Casino Bulls 31-29 Bond Pirates; Eagles 17-12 Helensvale Hogs; Helensvale Hogs 21-0 Brisbane Irish

EAGLES GIVE KEYS TO ‘HOMELESS’ KNIGHTS

- Nic Darveniza

THE spirit of rugby is alive and well on the Gold Coast with a touching act of kindness between clubs.

Reigning premiers Griffith University College Knights have found themselves without a home this pre-season as renovations at their Heeb St base rendered their playing surface unsuitable for this weekend’s trial against the ­visiting Melbourne Unicorns.

With the Gold Coast Eagles away for a three-way trial with Helensvale Hogs and Brisbane Irish, the Southport-based club has offered use of its fields, bar and canteen to the Knights; a team teasingly labelled the competition’s villains after an extraordinary era of success.

“It was no decision at all for us,” Eagles president Jason Teren said.

“We want to facilitate rugby where we can if they have to use our ground when we’re not using it there’s no issue, we’re more than happy to accommodate them.”

Teren said relations at executive level at the Coast’s rugby clubs were closer than ever before with regular meetings between presidents fostering a culture of goodwill.

“I think all the clubs are a lot closer now than they have been previously, from the sound of things,” he said.

The Bulletin will launch its first online match centre for the weekend’s first grade trials, with live updates from every ground from Warwick to Casino as Gold Coast clubs hit the road before Easter.

PBC play Warwick, Pirates play Casino, Hogs and Eagles play Brisbane Irish and the Knights meet the champions of Melbourne club rugby.

BUCK STOPS WITH COACH

- Nic Darveniza

TOUGH love will be the key to Bond Pirates’ reversal of fortunes in 2021 under new head coach Buck Heron.

The former Casino Bulls hardman is teaching rugby lessons on the Pirate Ship, with the gangplank a real threat.

The Pirates are getting with the program, as one teenage centre learned after giving away his side’s sole penalty for leaving his feet at the breakdown in a 14-7 trial loss to Casuarina on Saturday.

Heron pulled him off the field immediately.

“I told him if he ever did that s*** again he would never play for this club again,” Heron warned.

“I sent him back on and he didn’t do it again. I think that was a positive experience because it showed that he was coachable.

“If he’d got the s**** and walked off, or done it again, he wouldn’t have had what it takes to be a part of this group.”

Gone are the days when a glass half-full approach will fly at Pizzey Park.

Heron believes the ends will justify the means.

“I’ll tell you one thing,” he vowed.

“We’re going to win more than one game this year.”

Fullback Damien Timms scored his side’s sole try before a late miskick gift-wrapped the go-ahead try to Casuarina.

The Griffith University Knights tasted their first defeat since the unforgettable 2019 grand final, falling 19-10 to Noosa Dolphins in the inaugural Coastal Cup clash.

Just seven members of the 2020 undefeated season were available for selection in the battle between the ­defending champions of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Recruit Callum Burgess-Boomer impressed with a try and try assist for skipper Jaye Paton.

Coach Johnny Ngauamo stressed this season would be a rebuilding year for Colleges with player turnover gutting the momentum they might have carried over from 2020.

At Lennox Heads, Gold Coast Eagles couldn’t overcome the spirited Trojans, led by field general and former Wallaby Berrick Barnes.

The Eagles paid the price for a slow start, losing five tries to two, but can take heart in winning the second half thanks to a strong engine room that shapes as a major strength in 2021.

SEVENS STAR LEADS BOND BID

- Nic Darveniza

THE face of women’s rugby in Australia will call Bond University home for the 2021 AON University Sevens Series before defending her Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.

Aussie 7s playmaker and former World Player of the Year Charlotte Caslick (pictured) will return to Bond for the first time since 2018 to lead an already talented group gunning for silverware in an abridged national competition.

Caslick will join Bond from round 2 of Queensland’s qualifier tournament, which pits the university against former national champions UQ and Griffith as well as visiting university teams Melbourne and Adelaide, for a berth in the national finals.

“I’m so excited to play,” Caslick, 26, said. “There’s a really good group of young girls at Bond at the moment, and I’m really excited to play with the Levi sisters (Maddi and Teagan) and one of my best friends in the team, Katie Costello.”

Round 1 kicks off in Brisbane at Easts Rugby Club on March 27-28.