Warwick Cowboys’ Col Speed lands major job as coach of Queensland Country football team

The Cowboy’s big man has landed himself an amazing new position as his team is riding high top of the TRL ladder. Here’s what he’s expecting.

Speed took the top job in late 2022, currently sitting top of the table (Photo: Warwick Cowboys)

The Warwick Cowboys have gone from strength to strength this season sitting pretty at the top of the TRL ladder and playing a brand of electric and dynamic footy.

That’s in big part to one man, coach Col Speed, who’s been riding high this season, notably being in first place after Round 10 following a brutal 70-0 thrashing of Oakey over the weekend.

The man in charge, once dubbed North Coast’s most decorated rugby league coaches, has been promoted into the big leagues, being selected as head coach for the XXXX Queensland Country side in their upcoming clash with the City side.

Col Speed interviewed by TRL after their victory over Gatton (Photo: TRL)

Speed said his management focus on teams is “people first”- sorting the individual players out before a ball is even kicked.

“It’s all about people management, at club level we have different cultures and personalities on the team, and I’ll basically I try to coach every person differently and get to know them on an individual basis rather than a football perspective,” Speed said.

“It’s about building up a relationship,” he said.

In a decorated 25-year coaching career, Speed has bounced around and demonstrated his people-first management style, whether it was at various Northern NSW teams, Toowoomba sides, the Toowoomba 47th Battalion side, or the Cowboys.

He says the jigsaw just comes together.

“The difference between club football and coaching the Country side is our short time frame in preparation, but at this level they can all play footy, it’s a matter of bring them together and getting them to play for the jersey and each other,” Speed said.

“We were successful last year in the 47th Battalion, and I’ve got no doubt if we do the right preparation we can do it again.

“The desire has to be there and they’ve got to be proud to represent the country, their families and their communities, that needs to be instilled before they even hit the locker room.”

Warwick Cowboys coach Col Speed (right) chats with new signing Tui Oloapu (left).

The Thargomindah-born and bred coach has plenty of experience with country footy and says there’s no lack of talent.

“The biggest challenge is getting everyone to play for each other and go into battle for each other, and do everything it takes to bring that trophy home.

“There’s no worries about toughness if you’re born and bred in a country area, they’ve already got that core value, the rest of it will be putting it together and being smart with the footy.”

The QLD Country squad is expected to be picked by mid-July.

The XXXX City v Country derby will kick off in September, stay tuned for all the action.

Originally published as Warwick Cowboys’ Col Speed lands major job as coach of Queensland Country football team