Western Clydesdales coach to front Bulldogs academy program

The Canterbury Bulldogs has strengthened their ties in South West Queensland with a key signing. We spoke to the NRL club’s boss about their new academy program and its coach.

Canterbury Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould (right) visited Toowoomba to name Blake Mara as the head of the club's new satellite plater development program in South West Queensland.

LEAGUE: Canterbury Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould made a ‘signing’ that will strengthen the game in southwest Queensland yesterday.

Stepping onto the field at Clive Berghofer Stadium, Gould named current Clydesdales coach Blake Mara as the head of the Bulldogs satellite player development program in the region.

“Blake has a great association with the area,” Gould said.

“He knows the landscape, the school system, the town.

“He’s had experience with the Melbourne Storm as a player and with the (Brisbane) Broncos in development.

“It’s good to have a local person that knows the area – it’s a big start for us in trying to start an academy program here.”

The Bulldogs have already established academies in regional New South Wales with Gould believing they are vital to league’s development as a whole – not just for the Bulldogs.

“It’s vitally important. For too long country and regional areas were drained of young talent and only small percentage of them get through and make it to the top,” he said.

“What we want to be able to do is leave kids in their hometown for longer but in doing that not be disadvantaged.

“Satellite NRL programs into country and regional areas so they’re getting expert tuition, coaching, strength and conditioning so when they make the step finally into a NRL program not only are they not behind the other kids, they’ve also finished their schooling, got their education and are prepared for life after football.

“It’s vitally important for the future of the game not just the Canterbury Bulldogs.”

For Mara, he said the opportunity to work with the Bulldogs was a dream come true.

“For myself it’s a terrific opportunity to be mentored by Phil (Gould) and the club,” he said.

“Being an aspirational player myself I’m really passionate about helping younger players in the pursuit of their dreams.

“It’s great that regional kids are going to get opportunities right at their doorstep to progress onto that level.”