Western Clydesdales name coach for 2023 HostPlus Cup season

The Western Clydesdales have made their first key signing – a new head coach – ahead of their 2023 return to Queensland’s premier state cup competition. Meet the new coach here.

THE Western Clydesdales have their head coach and the NSWRL premiership winner already has the reins in his hands.

Jason Alchin, who joined the club last month as under-21s mentor, will run the HostPlus side in 2023.

“I’m very excited. I’m excited about developing young players from the Toowoomba and south west Queensland regions to state cup level,” Alchin said.

“And if they have the desire and the ability to play at a higher level then the (Canterbury) Bulldogs will support them through to the NRL level.

“This a great breeding ground for rugby league that’s why we are here.

“That’s why (Bulldogs general manager) Phil Gould wants to be here, that’s why John Khoury the chairman of Canterbury wants to be here cause they know it’s an amazing breeding ground for players.”

Alchin played 111 NSWRL games for the Bulldogs, St George and Wests in Sydney from 1985-95 before moving into coaching.

The former NSWRL premiership-winning fullback began coaching the Wests reserve grade team before gaining more experience coaching with other Sydney clubs.

Alchin then moved north and continued coaching, including time in the Mal Meninga Cup, on top of working in recruitment and pathways for the Bulldogs, who are now affiliated with the Clydesdales.

The Clydesdales and Alchin have already started the process of building a squad for their HostPlus Cup return and how the team plays will ultimately be determined by who they sign.

“Rugby league is a game of teammates,” Alchin said.

“It’s not mainly on the field it’s what you do off it.

“I know everyone says that but it is and I’m big on that.

“It’s all about the person off the field – the quality that they are.

“What I can bring is a winning culture.

“To me defence is big and that’s what win games, but I do like the attacking flair of a side.

“It all depends on who I can get for the first year or two.

“I think foremost what we have to do is make sure we get a competitive team.”

The Clydesdales are planning to touch base with Toowoomba players currently playing state cup elsewhere as part of their recruitment drive.

Jason Alchin will be the Western Clydesdales head coach for the 2023 HostPlus Cup season. Picture: Kevin Farmer

QRL SIGNS OFF ON CLYDESDALES RETURN

WITH six small words Western Clydesdales chairman Tony Coonan signalled the start of a new era in Queensland rugby league.

“We are there, we are in,” Mr Coonan said.

For the first time in more than 15 years the Clydesdales banner will fly in Queensland Rugby League’s premier competition – the HostPlus Cup – once again.

“The QRL have accepted our entry into the HostPlus Cup for 2023,” Coonan said.

“Now the QRL are going to work very closely to work with the Australian Rugby League Commission to sort out our journey.

“This is absolutely fantastic for the Western Clydesdales and rugby league across south

west Queensland.

“South west Queensland is rugby league heartland and it is really exciting that players from our region can now see a clear and complete pathway from their home town and junior club to the elite levels of our great game.

“Currently we have under-16, under-18s, under-21s and under-19 women but still our kids are leaving earlier to pursue their dreams of playing HostPlus Cup and onto the NRL.

“Now are best kids are going to stay.”

The Clydesdales have worked tirelessly with the QRL throughout the past 18-months with a focus on identifying and implementing the administrative, development and commercial structures needed to support a viable club.

Had their current bid been unsuccessful they would have to wait at least another five years before applying again.

“The southwest region is immersed in rugby league history and today’s announcement marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the Clydesdales,” QRL statewide competitions director Darryl Van de Velde said.

“The Clydesdales entry is aligned to recommendations from the 2021 QRL statewide competitions review which identified the southwest area as a priority for expansion.”

With 7000 playing participants, the Clydesdales have an impressive footprint which extends across 11 junior and senior local league competitions.

With their bid given the green light, Mr Coonan said the real hard work begins now.

“The next step is getting money,” he said.

“Now it’s about securing sponsorship, getting sponsorship for 2023 and stitching up long term sponsorship deals.

“It’s also about working really hard on a long term sustainable model.

“We can’t just keep relying on sponsorship and grants.

“The best example is the Redcliffe Dolphins and their recent bid.”

Canterbury Bulldogs Academy coach Blake Mara, Western Clydesdales chairman Tony Coonan and former Clydesdales player Doug Muir celebrate the Clydesdales return to the HostPlus Cup. Picture: Nev Madsen.

PATHWAY TO NRL

The Clydesdales HostPlus Cup return is key to the NRL aspirations of the south west Queensland’s junior rugby league players.

The club’s affiliation with Canterbury means there is now a clear path from grassroots junior competitions to representative Clydesdales junior football, HostPlus action and then the NRL.

“We’re really excited. We will have some of our junior academies up and running (in the next 6-8 months) in the region,” Blake Mara, who heads the Bulldogs SWQ satellite player development program, said.

“It’s all about providing local kids opportunities without the need to move (away) prematurely and put themselves under pressure.

“It allows younger players the chance to develop rugby league but also develop off the field in the comfort of their own home.”

Looking to the future there’s a good chance Bulldogs and other NRL calibre players could line up for the Clydesdales.

As well as helping raise the level of competition, Mr Mara believes watching and playing alongside elite players will inspire the club’s other players.

“In anything if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel it’s hard to take that next step,” he said.

“Having something to look at is really important.

“It will be great for our local players to literally have a living breathing example potentially running around on the field next to them.

“To be able to look over on the field and say that’s where I want to get to is what makes this news so exciting.”

DREAM COME TRUE

There’s been a ‘hole’ in Dough Muir’s heart for more than 15 years.

The former Clydesdales player has dreamt of the club’s return to elite level league and now it’s a reality.

“I’ve been a shattered man because we haven’t had a team in the cup for so long,” he said.

“To stand here now and know we are in the HostPlus Cup is overwhelmingly satisfying.

“I really believe in this area, the Western Corridor, there’s a lot of supporters of the Clydesdales brand.

“To see it back in, now the moment has arrived, we’re issuing a call to arms asking people to support it however they can.”