Finding place to call home
A MOVE to base the Gold Coast Cyclones rugby union squad at Bond University is being touted as a big step forward in a traditionally rocky relationship.
Plans to up the standard of the Cyclones’ various representative programs – including seniors, juniors, women’s and sevens – have led to an agreement to use Bond’s highquality facilities.
Bond rugby general manager Luca Liussi says it is a win for the Gold Coast.
The Robina campus fields a team in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition and aims to position themselves as an avenue for players to progress their careers without having to leave the Coast.
“It’s been a bit grey for the past 20 years between the premier club and Gold Coast rugby clubs,” Liussi said.
“We’re looking at any way we can to try to crush any perception of niggle there.”
Not that peacemaking is the chief reason behind the move, as Gold Coast District Rugby Union chairman Kim Bending points out.
“They are an elite program, Bond University, and that’s where we want the Cyclones to be positioned, as an elite program in Queensland country,” Bending said.
“The support that we are getting from Bond is quite substantial in regards to facilities and availability of facilities, so that’s exciting for us.
“One of the tough areas has been getting kids, especially through that APS system, playing our game. There is myriad reasons why they are not but if we offer better coaching and an elite program for Cyclones, that will be a major attraction to parents.
“It will also be a major attraction to senior players knowing that they are on an equal footing on that pathway to go Queensland Country or move towards premier rugby.
“The coaches that will be put into place will all be elite coaches. To me, I wish I was a young bloke coming through because all of a sudden if I think I’m any good at the game or my parents do, what a great option I have got here on the Gold Coast.”
In previous seasons, including last year, the Cyclones had no fixed home and had instead rotated between various clubs.