TRL chairman Michael Burns open to new ideas to develop game

Michael Burns is ready to go to work. The new Toowoomba Rugby League chairman reveals his plans to grow country Australia’s premier rugby league competition here.

Michael Burns is the new Toowoomba Rugby League chairman. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Michael Burns ranks Toowoomba Rugby League as country Australia’s premier league competition and he has every intention to strengthen those claims.

Burns, who is also a member of the Western Clydesdales board, was voted in as chairman at the recent TRL AGM.

“I consider it (TRL) to be Australia’s premier country rugby league competition,” Burns said.

“I know we’ve had various people here in the past, Queensland Rugby League representatives and various others, watching finals and they’ve been blown away by the standard of the competition.

“The standard (of the competition) is great.”

While TRL has gone from strength to strength in recent years – including the introduction of a women’s division in 2020 – there is still opportunity for growth and work to be done.

Burns said “nothing is off the table” for the new TRL committee.

“My whole charter is to help grow the game,” he said.

“We’ve got a fresh new committee and nothing is off the table.

Highfields captain Katelyn Collie celebrates her team winning the TRL Women’s premiership. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It’s early days, we don’t have any specific areas we’re focused on right now, but we’re committed to growing and strengthening the game.

“One thing we want to do is strengthen and develop that pathway to the (Western) Clydesdales as well.”

While the longtime league man is positive about the future, he readily acknowledges the chairman position does have its challenges.

Like any grassroots level competition volunteer numbers and sponsorship deals are two of the bigger problems.

“Volunteer numbers and sponsorship are challenges many competitions face,” Burns said.

“We (TRL) can play a big role in helping our clubs, we’re working with and for them to grow the game as a whole.”

Burns also acknowledged Newtown Lions membership termination which was decided by the previous committee.

While he is yet to cite a formal appeal from the club he said an independent committee will judge the merit of the appeal when it is lodged.