Nerang bid gains force
A CENTRAL figure from the previous Gold Coast District Rugby Union administration is back, leading former powerhouse Nerang’s bid to return to their glory days.
Heath Claydon last month stepped into the role as Bulls president and has already made clear their intentions to be back competing in the Coast’s top senior division.
Claydon was the GCDRU rugby manager when the Queensland Rugby Union took control of the competition’s management in early 2016 after the local board had fallen into a six-figure debt.
“It was extremely difficult because everyone got blindsided by the situation, with Michael (Summers, former GCDRU chairman) suddenly dying,” Claydon recalled.
“But QRU’s people in power did what they felt was best for the game at the time.”
Operations returned to Gold Coast hands last November and Claydon said the appointment of figures such as chairman Kim Bending had filled him with confidence to have another crack at doing his bit for the competition.
Claydon has long held links with the Bulls through his daughter, Koby, and son, Charlie, playing juniors for the club and was happy to help out upon being approached.
“Even though the last position (as GCDRU rugby manager) was paid, you just get a lot of joy out of working with everyone in the community and with the kids and just putting on big events and seeing all the participants enjoy themselves,” Claydon said.
“It is a unique experience and only something that volunteering at a community club can give you.”
The Bulls have seven first grade premierships to their name, including six in a dominant 90s era, but have struggled in recent years.
For the second straight season they are not represented in first grade.
After his predecessor Mark Muir helped stabilise the club, Claydon said plans for a 2019 return were well advanced.
“We have already been talking about that this year,” he said.
“We have already got over 30 players fully registered and paid for this year. The goal is to have enough to use this year as a springboard to have firsts and seconds next year.
“The best thing is that all of the key players who have been working away at this for the past 12 months have committed to being here for the next couple of years.”
1990, 1992, 1993, 1997 (all grades), 1998, 1999, 2006