Wallabies winger Henry Speight’s vision to grow rugby union on the Gold Coast

He’s built a cult-following, now Wallabies winger Henry Speight wants to build the game on the Gold Coast.

He’s built a cult-following, now Wallabies winger Henry Speight wants to build the game on the Gold Coast.

Speight, 31, signed with the Queensland Reds late last year and linked with Bond University on a two-year deal with a vision to help grow the game on the glitter strip.

The veteran of 120 Super Rugby matches and 19 Wallabies caps will play an important role as a Bond University Rugby ambassador.

Reds signing Henry Speight will join the Bond Uni rugby club as his local club team. When not required by the Qld Reds he'll play for Bond Uni Bull Sharks. Henry Speight chats to the Premier Pathways Squad. Picture Glenn Hampson.

“The pathway is very exciting for me,” Speight said speaking at Suncorp Stadium ahead of the Super Rugby season.

“I take great passion and pleasure in being able to go back into the community and give back to Rugby. I’m very thankful for the opportunity Bond has given me.

“To get involved not just with Bond University, which is great, but the whole Gold Coast region, I’m really looking forward to giving back to the game.

“Being able to grow the game and show face with kids and clubs and let them know they could be a Red, they could be a Wallaby and let them know there is a pathway, they don’t have to be in Brisbane.

“Some of the boys around me have shown like Angus Blyth and Alex Mafi, you can come through the system in the Gold Coast and make it to the top level.”

Bond University's Queensland Reds (L-R): Hamish Stewart, Angus Blyth, Alex Mafi, Henry Speight. Picture: Cavan Flynn

Speight will play his first game for the Queensland Reds when they take on the Brumbies in Canberra on January 31 in the first round of the Super Rugby competition.

The bulldozing winger has scored 46 career tries in the competition.

Queensland Reds winger Henry Speight (Bond University) at the team's Media Day at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Cavan Flynn

“There will be a lot of emotion in the first game,” Speight said.

“Not just me personally, everyone down there with the smoke and the fires happening around Australia.

“Being the first game of the season, first game of any code in Canberra, it is going to be a feel-good thing about the town and something to look forward to. It’ll be exciting to go there.

“The fires really put sport into perspective. As players we are blessed to be in this position, I don’t take this position for granted. There are lot of people doing things tough to keep people safe.

“Hopefully both teams can put on a bit of a spectacle and bring some smiles to faces and families down there.”