Bell top of class as coach at school

WHEN asked what separated him from other schoolboys rugby league coaches in the past 100 years, Grant Bell simply says it was “good fortune”.

A century of highly credentialed leaders could not prevent the former Kirwan High mentor from being bestowed the mantle of Schoolboys Coach of the Century, given the title of what would have been a powerhouse outfit.

His former pupil, Sam Thaiday, cracked the list, as did fellow Bear alumni Jason Taumalolo.

But despite holding the accolade to go along with his place in the North Queensland Cowboys history books as the club’s inaugural coach, Bell said it was “hard to pump his own tyres”.

Nothing gave him a greater kick than watching young boys ascend to the ranks of the NRL, and transform into men right before his very eyes.

“I had some terrific players there, but I think one of the important things in coaching is bringing players together and getting them to unite and connect,” Bell said.

“Whether it’s with a side in school, your focus is not just on the football but them as young people and young students.

“When you’re away with the rep side, whether you’re off to Darwin or Perth … you want to try and make sure the players both enjoy their footy, but also the people they’re playing with and against.

“It’s an experience beyond a game of rugby league.”

There are too many memories for Bell to pinpoint one which stands out, too many great footballers who graced the field for and against him.

Although he does recall a young Greg Inglis giving him nightmares, before the Queensland legend began making a name for himself at the Melbourne Storm and in the Maroons State of Origin camp.

A humbled Bell said he was “very chuffed” when he got told of his recognition, and even having reached the heights of the NRL said he could not split the two experiences.

His time coaching schoolboys sides — including Queensland representative outfits — bookend his tenure at the Cowboys, so it was not so much a stepping stone for him but a chance to impact young lives.

But when it comes to ingraining the disciplines of the game at the grassroots level, Bell said it came with a very different importance than shaping the nature of a first-grade side.

“I think coaching schoolboy footy, it’s a very pure brand, you really see the young players at their natural best when they’re really showing their skills and abilities, and you’re trying to model that into a team,” he said.

“I think you can’t ever understate the importance of schoolboy football.

“It’s part of the developmental pathways and to have your name listed alongside the 20 players that are listed in the team of the century was a great honour. ”