TRL positives to kick in Chairman predicts 2018 highs
RUGBY LEAGUE: Toowoomba Rugby League (TRL) chairman Brian Gilroy said the competition pluses were set to dwarf the minuses when the 2018 TRL premiership kicks off on Saturday week.
Gilroy was responding yesterday to some worrying TRL pre-season headlines focusing on player shortage numbers at Toowoomba-based clubs Souths and Brothers which threatened their existence in this season’s competition.
Souths have turned their bleak season outlook around with a late player rally while Brothers, along with the Tigers, also aim to field two senior teams and an under-18 side this season.
Brothers club president Joe Hannant told The Chronicle yesterday that while the Leprechauns had sufficient numbers to meet their 2018 commitments he harboured longerterm concerns for the competition in regard to thinning player numbers.
Hannant said it was a creeping problem that needed to be discussed by all clubs for the sake of the competition’s future.
Gilroy agrees the issue needs to be aired but he’s also looking at the positives in place ahead of the March 17 season launch.
“There has been a bit of doom and gloom around in recent weeks,” Gilroy said.
“But I see a lot of positives ahead of us as well in what could be one of our most interesting seasons for a number of years.
“We’re naturally very pleased to see Souths and Brothers overcome a few struggles to take their place in the competition.
“They’ve had to battle a couple of unfortunate circumstances.
“There is no doubt that player participation numbers in all sports is a concern these days and we plan to discuss some strategies which might help address the problem.
“We’ve talked about holding a conference where we can sit down with stakeholders to discuss issues like juniors drifting away from the sport.
“We also need data to paint a clearer picture as to why things like that are happening.
“Player development ahead of player recruitment is another key factor.
“The good news for the competition ahead is some teams which have been feeling the pinch in recent years are shaping well for this season.
“The fact Oakey was struggling for existence a couple of years ago and are now rebuilding strongly is a huge positive.
“Goondiwindi seems to have beefed up as well.
“We’ve also got a smattering of players from the Q Cup coming back to our level of competition.
“I see some positive signs for a whole lot of teams this season.”
‘‘ I SEE SOME POSITIVE SIGNS FOR A WHOLE LOT OF TEAMS THIS SEASON. BRIAN GILROY