Highfields Eagles struggle to sign players due to financial pressure

Another Toowoomba Rugby League Club is struggling under the weight of player related financial pressures. Less than a year after winning three major trophies, Highfields Eagles are struggling.

Highfields celebrate their win. Gatton vs Highfields. TRL Madsen Rasmussen Hutchinson Builders A Grade 2022. Sunday, July 3, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Less than a year after winning three major Toowoomba Rugby League trophies, Highfields are struggling to field senior teams.

Like many grassroots rugby league clubs the Eagles are struggling to match the ‘financial demands’ players are requesting.

Early season injuries and off-season retirements have also taken their toll on the Eagles’ playing stocks.

“Exorbitant player payments are the root of the issue,” Highfields Eagles president Rob Broughton said.

“The underlying tone of players leaving, other than personal, is financial.

“I completely understand that if someone is offered a significant amount of money, it would be silly not to take it, but it’s an absolute kick in the guts.”

Highfields players post try celebration. Picture: Nev Madsen.

When asked how his club could combat the issue, Broughton was unsure.

“We want to reward loyalty, but we are unsure how, other than showing them that we (Eagles) have one of the best club cultures and family atmosphere in the league,” he said.

“We put our hands up, not our hands out.”

The poaching of talent is also an issue, leaving sides feeling as if there is no reward for their hard work developing juniors.

“The cherry picking of talent is also frustrating,” Broughton said.

“You cannot begrudge a club’s success when they have a core of talented juniors that are now the side’s best players, but when a side goes out and buys the best talent from the region, it strips the club of players and you lose those that you have developed.”

Jakeem Thompson for Highfields during their TRL A-grade match against Pittsworth this season. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Unfortunately for the Eagles and other TRL clubs – financial pressures associated with players are a common problem with no simple solution.

TRL chairman Joe Hannant said they are aware of the issue and closely monitor each club.

“There is a salary cap,” Hannat said.

“It’s an age-old problem that has reared its head again recently,”

“Each month the clubs submit their financials and at the end of the year we have audits of the clubs books.”

In addition to financial issues, injuries, and representative footy have also plagued not just Highfields this season, but is an occurrence across the league.

“Representative footy is also a double-edged sword,” Broughton said.

“Having the (Western) Clydesdales back is amazing and I hope for the town and league that it is here for good this time.

Jarrod Lee for Highfields during the 2022 TRL Hutchinson Builders A-grade semi-final. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“But at the moment, we have definitely seen some growing pains and a clunkiness around which the rep teams have been operating.

“We love seeing our players selected, showing their stuff and getting an opportunity that we can’t offer as a club. And it means that we are doing something right in our training and coaching ranks.

“At the same time, it depletes an already shallow pool (of players), leaving teams with just the bare-bones.

“I know that in a few years all the kinks will be sorted out and it will draw in and help retain quality talent, with the allure of playing at the higher level, but at the moment, it has been disruptive to many sides, and has made some situations difficult to navigate.”