Passion powers drive to succeed

PASSION away from the football field is what pushed Kieran Quabba through the sports lockdown, in what was his first season without rugby league since he was 10.

The Townsville Blackhawks forward has long been a dedicated teacher, his time with Ryan Catholic College as a physical education mentor instilling an ethic and discipline in him that rivals what he brings to the green jersey.

But as driven as he is to deliver the club its maiden Intrust Super Cup title in 2021, the 25-year-old has been able to further his career as an educator because of the hiatus.

That external passion was been pivotal in getting the lock through the coronavirus pandemic. “I’m used to rushing out to school, going straight to training and getting home at eight at night before doing some skill work,” Quabba said.

“It’s a culture shock, I didn’t know what to do with myself, so it was a little bit different.

“As far as school goes it’s been good to get my mind off things, I’m a teacher first and football player second so it’s been good in that regard to advance my career there.

“I’m an extremely passionate educator, that’s why I do the job and I think there’s a lot of things I can bring from football into the classroom in the discipline areas.

“I think kids are great and mentoring them through the secondary years into adulthood is a great satisfaction when you see an older student and see what they achieved.”

With a premiership firmly on the radar, competition for spots will be intense next season.

Quabba will have to contend with the likes of Moses Meninga, Pat Kaufusi and Tom Hancock for a spot in the starting backrow, but that competition is at the heart of what makes the outfit tick.

And he said the Blackhawks’ approach to football in ensuring the players’ lives off the field come first has been part of their success, and will deliver even greater accolades in the future.

“It allows you to be humbled I think by the fact that you go out and work hard and then come back to training knowing you have to work hard there too,” Quabba said.

“It’s not all about football, there’s different skills you can take on and learn.”

On paper the Blackhawks had the team to win the club its first Queensland Cup, but it was how the pre-season unfolded that had Quabba convinced something special was on the horizon.

“You can’t dwell on that I guess, it’s come and gone. You can talk ifs and buts but it didn’t happen,” Quabba said.

“It was a disappointment not to have the year. But it gives fire in the belly for next year to make sure we turn back up.”