President upbeat on future for Roosters
The brother of NRL star Reece Walsh has declared the junior rugby league club that produced the State of Origin representative is no longer under threat of folding after becoming president.
Zac Walsh was voted into the role as Nerang Roosters junior president on Monday, days after the club launched a desperate bid to raise $100,000 in funds to enable juniors to participate in 2024, due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Walsh said the club had already raised around $25,000 and was confident the proud establishment that also produced dual-code international Mat Rogers wouldn’t close its doors.
“The threat of folding is gone. We have a plan in place to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Walsh said.
“We are in high spirits and don’t plan on giving in easily. The community rallied around each other and we are excited for the journey ahead. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.
“We can’t help what has happened. All we can do is move forward and stick together.”
Walsh said he couldn’t detail why the club found itself with a $100,000 financial black hole but revealed Rugby League Gold Coast and the Roosters were both investigating.
A former Roosters junior, Walsh played at the club from the age of three through to 15 before signing with South Sydney.
He then spent time at the Newcastle Knights before returning in 2019 to captain the senior side to a premiership.
Walsh’s father Rodney was also heavily involved with the club for years, playing A Grade for Nerang before spending time with the Tweed Seagulls.
“I’m pretty overwhelmed to be chosen to be president but the club means a lot to me and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of getting it back to where it was,” he said.
Rugby League Gold Coast chairman Peter Daly said Nerang was a critical development club for the district.
“Nerang plays an important role in the rugby league ecosystem on the Gold Coast and has produced a number of wonderful players over the years,” Daly said.
“Not just at NRL level, but in the local A-Grade and Queensland competitions.
Daly is confident that while the club has experienced some “hiccups”, it is heading in the right direction for 2024.
“We just have a few things we’d like to work through with them, but everything is positive and on the rise,” Daly said.
“They’ve ordered jumpers and everything and Rugby League Gold Coast has given their support.”
Nerang will hold a working bee this Saturday from 10am, with any residents welcome to attend.