Tigers’ TRL roar hit by player shortage
The Toowoomba Rugby League is on the brink of copping a savage 2018 blow with Southern Suburbs Tigers in danger of missing this year’s competition.
Just weeks out from the March 17 TRL premiership opener, Souths are faced with a critical shortage of senior players and as of today are struggling to put together competitive A and Reserve grade teams.
Tigers’ president Rex Zeeman said yesterday in a prepared statement the club was in a “sound” off-field position with good junior numbers and a strong under-18 squad set to take the field in 2018.
But despite its best senior player recruitment efforts, the 70-year-old club was “staring down the barrel” for numbers.
“The unexpected resignation of 2016-2017 captain/coach Dan Holmes in late-November put the club well and truly behind the eight-ball as far as player retention/recruitment is concerned,” Zeeman said.
“As club president, I am at a loss to explain the lack of player numbers but Dan Holmes’ resignation (due to work) certainly hasn’t helped player retention, let alone recruitment.
“Dan was fantastic for the club in recent years and we were certainly fortunate to have a close-knit, happy playing group under his leadership.
“However, once he left and we were left without an A-grade coach, it became very hard to convince players to sign on for 2018.
“The club is in good shape off the field with good coaches appointed, including former NRL player Leo Dynevor as A-grade coach.
“We have sponsors on board and the club’s financial position is solid.
“The club will have a new playing base in 2018, playing out of Glenholme Park instead of Clive Berghofer Stadium, a move which will provide us with greater opportunities both financially and socially.”
The Tigers have set March 2 as a deadline to decide which teams they will field this season.
“The club’s future is very bright so it’s vital that we get through this tough period,” Zeeman said.
“We have a very strong under-18s squad and there is also plenty of talent coming through Souths juniors who are doing a great job.
“There’s no doubt that the Tigers will be a force in the TRL in future years provided we can survive 2018.”
TRL chairman Brian Gilroy said every effort would be made to accommodate Souths in the under-18 competition and he was hopeful the club could yet fill its senior roster for 2018.
“We have been aware of Souths’ situation and we would like to think they can still gather the senior player numbers needed,” he said. “But we need to know the club’s position as soon as possible so we can go ahead with our season draw.”
The club will train on Monday night at Norman Park and has called a meeting of members and supporters at Toowoomba Sports Club for 6pm on Tuesday to discuss the future of the Tigers.