Western Clydesdales honour true gentleman Darryl Van de Velde

Western Clydesdales have honoured former QRL director who brought NRL club Canterbury Bulldogs to the Garden City and helped shape the future of region’s best young rugby league players.

Without Darryl Van de Velde there would be no Western Clydesdales.

That’s the view of Clydesdales chairman Tony Coonan as the Toowoomba and wider Queensland rugby league community mourns the death of the highly respected player, coach and former Queensland Rugby League director.

Van de Velde was one of the first people Coonan turned to for advice as the Clydesdales worked to secure a Hostplus Cup return after more than a decade out of the game in 2023.

“He was a true gentleman and an amazing man,” Coonan said.

“When we were trying to secure the Clydesdales Hostplus Cup return he was one of the first people I turned to for advice and help.

“I recognised the expertise and knowledge we needed was not here (in Toowoomba) so I went outside.

“Darryl, Don Oxenham and Brian Canavan were the people I approached.

“The three of them played instrumental parts in getting us over the line with Queensland Rugby League.”

Coonan said there were times when he spoke to Van de Velde three or four times a day but it was a call made by the latter that radically altered the Clydesdales future.

Needing an NRL affiliation the Clydesdales naturally approached their south east Queensland neighbours – the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and The Dolphins.

Legendary QRL administrator Darryl Van De Velde. Picture: Nicholas Falconer/Sunshine Coast Daily

“We needed to be affiliated with an NRL club and naturally we approached the Broncos, Titans and Dolphins first.

“In fairness to those clubs they already had agreements in place with other clubs so we started to look elsewhere.

“Darryl bought Gus Gould and the Bulldogs to Toowoomba.

“When I told him about our position he asked if he could call Gus on our behalf.

“He talked to him (Gould) about our plan and vision and it rolled on from there.

“Once Gus established he wouldn’t be stepping on anyone’s toes, he really stressed the fact he didn’t want to get any other clubs off-side, we started talking about a possible deal in more depth.

“Without Darryl’s connections and passion our relationship with the Bulldogs would not exist.”

Looking to the future Coonan said he and the Clydesdales would strive to build on the work Van de Velde did.

“I have the upmost respect for Darryl Van de Velde,” Coonan said.

“He has been an amazing supporter of the Western Clydesdales.

“In simple terms, without his guidance, we would not be playing in Hostplus Cup.

“He supported the Board and myself throughout the re-entry process. He fought hard on both the QRL and NRL levels to have our entry approved.

“Personally, he was great mentor for me and a good friend.

“We have learnt so much from him. To carry on his legacy, it’s important for all of us to keep working hard to secure the long-term future of the Western Clydesdales in all statewide Competitions.”