Sunshine Coast rugby league club’s legends and larrikins revealed
From the diehard supporters to volunteer veterans - every Sunshine Coast rugby league club can lay claim to a character whose name and contributions are renowned. SEE THE LIST
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Rugby league clubs, like most sports, have strong supporter bases that selflessly pitch in whenever needed and are quick to reveal their passion loud and proud when the chance arises.
Whether it’s through volunteering, steadfast support or cracking jokes with a beer in hand, a club always has a legend or larrikin who everybody knows.
The Daily has approached Division 1 clubs in a bid to highlight some of the Coast rugby league scene’s highly regarded characters.
MAROOCHYDORE SWANS
John “Rocket” Redwood
Maroochydore’s John “Rocket” Redwood is a renowned Swans character not just for his playing days and selfless volunteering but for his club pride shining through after a few beers.
Maroochydore treasurer Grant Mealey said he’d worked the gate for years, been on the committee and was a former player.
“He’s definitely a club stalwart and legend and has been involved in the club up until this year,” Mealey said.
“There used to be a different club song that we had and Rocket remembers it from back in the 80s.
“On presentation night he’d have a couple of beers and start singing it at the top of his lungs and have a bit of a laugh.”
CALOUNDRA SHARKS
Ian Welch
When it comes to club legends, the name Ian Welch is on the tip of Caloundra faithful’s tongues.
Sharks president Mark Lynagh said Welch had once been president for 12 straight years and was a former player who’d hit the field in the 1982 and 1983 grand finals.
“He lives and breathes the club and helps the club out,” he said.
“He is a larrikin and he doesn't mind pulling a practical joke every now and then on people.
“He’s generous to a fault and he would do anything for the club and is always there.
“I’ve taken over from him (as president) and he’s there for me all the time.”
BEERWAH BULLDOGS
Jason “Tacca” Holland
Gaining his nickname from a past of getting into fights at pubs, Jason “Tacca” Holland bears his larrikin traits with pride.
Mr Holland is a former player who has been with the club for nearly 15 years and has seen each of his kids come through the junior ranks at the Bulldogs.
These days, you’ll find him at most seniors’ games running water to teammates, but that’s not the only drink you’ll see him holding on game day.
Beerwah Bulldogs president Shannon Roy said Mr Holland loved a few beers with the lads and fitted in nicely with them.
“Definitely a larrikin, definitely well-respected among the boys and he’s always at the games helping out,” he said.
CABOOLTURE SNAKES
Kody Griggs
Caboolture Snakes former player Kody Griggs suffered a shoulder injury that has placed him on the sidelines indefinitely, but that hasn’t stopped him from supporting his team.
Mr Griggs sustained the injury in 2019 and since then has been showing up to nearly every seniors’ match to give the boys the flare they need pre-game.
Caboolture Snakes president Raymond Totoro said Mr Griggs was the king of the pig pen, due to his love for drink and watching footy.
“(He’s) got great chat, gets the boys going, has a real positive influence on them.”
KAWANA
Andrew Hinson
From starting out as a player to taking on many different roles including head coach, Andrew Hinson has seen it all when it comes to the Kawana Dolphins.
The former NRL player has evolved into coaching after starting out as a player in 2007.
He’s fluctuated between coaching U18’s, reserve grade and A-Grade.
“Our coaching staff thrives underneath him,” Kawana Dolphins president Michelle Horn said.
“He just does so much, he’s head in coaching, but his roles aren’t limited by that.
“He’ll give the club a clean-up when he doesn’t have to and other tasks that aren’t expected of him.”
NOOSA PIRATES
Greg Furner
Sometimes the heaviest load is carried by the one who goes most unnoticed.
Noosa Pirates life member Greg Furner, 64, takes on this role.
He said he had been a committee member for the Pirates for the past 32 years and had started with the club when it was $15,000 in debt, watching it grow into the success it now is.
While other Pirates’ members carry duties on and around the field, Greg minds the gates, losing the opportunity to see the action live.
“He forever helps around the grounds,” Pirates president Paul Dwyer said.
“He’s great to bounce ideas off.
“The fact he sits (on the gate) probably for five to six hours a day is unbelievable.”
STANLEY RIVER WOLVES
Stanley River Wolves spruiked a trio of club legends who have long done their part behind the scenes.
Sam “Carrot” Armitage
“He’s the reason why seniors (entry into A-grade in 2019) was possible,” Wolves A-grade coach and former junior, Callum Klein, said.
“He’s a club junior and also coaches junior sides and has sons now playing.
“ (Armitage) marks the lines and he just loves it - There’s not many that love it (club) more than him.”
Mary-Anne Hallam
“The hours she puts in for very little reward is amazing,” Klein said.
“She’s got kids at the club as well but it’s nothing for her to do a 12-hour day on a Saturday and she runs the meetings and things like that.
“She is always doing something.”
Rod “Rocket” McLeod
“He’s a fantastic strapper,” Klein said.
“He is always at training and on game days generally has to strap both A-grade and reserve grade sides.
“It really is a wonderful effort.
“He is a great bloke and clubman.”
NAMBOUR CRUSHERS
Nambour has plenty of history in Coast league and has plenty of club legends still pitching in even after decades of service.
Graham Allen
“Graham Allen played through Souths to Nambour Crushers and has held many positions in the club and is still a current committee member,” president Mark Turner said.
“He is also held in high regard by everyone and is called upon to make speeches and hand out debut jerseys to players.
“He helps with everything, all the game day stuff and does all the maintenance work, helps with field marking and just generally has been part of the football scene constantly.
Bert Deschamps
“From August 1982, Bert was instrumental in the amalgamation of Souths and All Whites to form Nambour Rugby League Club (Crushers) in 1985.
“He then went on to be the president of Nambour juniors for many years, president of Nambour seniors for many years, is a life member and continues to hold a committee position.
“Bert is still part of the fabric and there’s not a decision that doesn’t get made without it getting past him.”
David Cordwell
“He’s been involved with Nambour ever since it started as well and is an ex-Souths player,” Turner said.
“He’s our current Division 1 coach but he’s also played over 270 A-grade games for Nambour.
He was the first player to reach 250 games for Crushers and is also a past junior president.
“He’s got a lot of football behind him, Dave,” Turner said.
The Daily approached Gympie but they did not respond before deadline.
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