Coolum Colts set to compete in SCGRL division one competition

The Coolum Colts rugby league club is making a three decade dream a reality as their quest for division one glory begins, with a number of star recruits.

Coolum Colts rugby league club have managed to scrape together their first ever senior men's A-grade side for the 2023 season. President, Simon Kidman and head coach Matt Smith. Picture: Patrick Woods.

From a club office that began in a caravan in 1989, the Coolum Colts rugby league club is set to field their inaugural Sunshine Coast division one men’s side in 2023.

After picking up three division two premierships in the last four seasons, the Colts was at a standstill at the end of the 2022 season as to make a push for the top grade or inevitably lose their senior side.

The men in maroon are now set to field division one and two teams and are pushing for an under 19s team for the season.

New Coolum Colts president Simon Kidman said all of the credit belonged to past committee members.

“It’s been growing for the last two or three years and we’ve had great success in the second grade competition so every time the boys won they wanted to move up,” he said.

“We just had restrictions in terms of getting extra sponsors, the cash behind us to host an A-grade team and player numbers.

“I’d like to take the accolades but it’s been building and building under our former president Josh Olsen and his committee that’s pumped it up to this position.

“The club as a whole is stoked and it is very well deserved.”

Coolum Colts rugby league club president, Simon Kidman. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Kidman said he was thankful for the community’s support and was eager to see what the club’s new recruits could do.

“We started recruiting early, which hasn’t been easy as a new division one team,” he said.

“We’ve gone to the community to ask for help in accommodating our new players in terms of housing, jobs and everything like that.

“We’ve managed to bring four New Zealanders over with three of them coming from Premier Grade in Auckland, we’ve also managed to secure some fringe Queensland Cup and more so PNG Hunters players wanting to come here for a better opportunity.”

Head coach Matt Smith said the team was eager to begin their division one campaign.

“This will be my third year as head coach and I’m very happy and excited to not only get the coaching job but to be in the top tier now,” he said.

“We’ve brought in a few boys from overseas because as our first year in the top grade we don’t have the players that are accustomed to the first division.

“Those recruits will mix well with our local talent and everyone is really pumped and looking forward to the season ahead.

“If we can make finals it would be great for the team but also for the club and would have a positive flow-on effect for years to come.”

Originally published as Coolum Colts set to compete in SCGRL division one competition