Behind the scenes: How Matt Poole and Matt Bevilacqua’s Northcliffe move transpired

For the best part of the last decade, Matt Poole and Matt Bevilacqua have been inseparable.

FOR the best part of the last decade, Matt Poole and Matt Bevilacqua have been inseparable.

So it was really no surprise when they both ended up at Northcliffe despite not speaking to each other about their next move for the entirety of the process.

When the two first met at Mooloolaba surf club on the Sunshine Coast, they sat at different stages of their careers

POOLE, BEVILACQUA: WHY WE CHOSE NORTHCLIFFE

Bevilacqua was still a teenager, 19-years-old to be exact, and had uprooted his life in Tasmania to train under legendary ironman Michael King in the hope of qualifying for the Nutri-Grain series.

Poole had four years on his younger apprentice and was already competing in the Nutri-Grain series but had followed a similar trajectory - moving to the Sunshine Coast via the Gold Coast where he won the Australian Under-19 ironman title for Northcliffe.

2013 Kelloggs Nutrigrain Ironman and Ironwoman series trials at Salt Beach, Kingscliff Matt Bevilacqua in action for Mooloolaba

It wasn’t long before the two Matt’s developed a strong bond – training together twice a day and moving in together makes it pretty easy.

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The intensity at which they trained back at Mooloolaba has largely been unmatched since but when the club made significant budget cuts to its surf sports program in 2015, they sought greener pastures on the Gold Coast.

The two chose Kurrawa, then considered a smaller club who were looking to rebuild their surf sports program but already boasted Ky Hurst as a member of their stable.

In their first season at the club, Bevilacqua and Poole finished third and fourth overall in the series.

The following year, Poole made history as the first Kurrawa athlete to win a Nutri-Grain series title.

An emotional Matt Poole after winning the race and the 2017 Nutri-Grain Ironman series at North Cronulla Beach , Cronulla . Picture : Gregg Porteous

Bevilacqua followed the year after.

Last season was their best-combined performance to date.

Bevilacqua won the Coolangatta Gold, Poole came second

Poole won round 2 of the series, Bevilacqua won round 5.

Bevilacqua finished second overall, Poole finished third.

Neither thought they’d be on the lookout for a new club for the following summer, but a chain reaction at Kurrawa, including the departure of head coach Barry Newman, forced their hand.

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It was a mutual process as club and athlete began negotiations, though Poole nor Bevilacqua spoke once about their next move.

The Northcliffe surf club have recruited some big name athletes, Matt Bevilacqua and Matt Poole (pictured), ahead of the 2020/21 sporting summer. Picture: Jerad Williams

Despite being best mates, former housemates, and club mates, career discussions were strictly off-limits.

A pact exists as so not to damage their friendship or influence each other’s careers.

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They heard whispers from other sources but at the end of it all, they both decided Northcliffe was the best fit to see out the rest of their careers.

They had both developed strong relationships with Northcliffe’s club’s coaches and athletes over the years and decided individually they would be able to excel with a fresh start.

Bevilacqua pledged his allegiance to the club last week and a few hours later, Northcliffe called him back and told him Poole would be joining him.

The Northcliffe surf club have recruited some big name athletes, Matt Bevilacqua (pictured) and Matt Poole, ahead of the 2020/21 sporting summer. Picture: Jerad Williams

After hanging up, he immediately dialled Poole.

“I hear you’ll be wearing the white and maroon next season,” Bevilacqua teased.

“I hear you will too,” replied Poole.