Buzzing for big contest
GRAND finals are good for business – just ask Broadbeach Cats players Luke DempseyCeh and Mitch Kavic.
The duo run Hand Coffee, a hole-in-the-wall espresso shop in Broadbeach, between their playing commitments with the Cats who will play in the QAFL grand final today.
Ruckman Dempsey-Ceh will feature in the premiership decider while Kavic, who started the season as captain of the club’s reserve grade side, is sidelined with injury.
The pair, who have decked out their shop in blue and white this week, have felt the love from the local community leading into the club’s first grand final in 22 years.
“We get a few people recognising us, especially because a couple of local businesses around us support the club,” Dempsey-Ceh said.
“We have always got the boys coming in to support us as well so we get a heap of footy guys coming in.
“Some customers have kids playing junior footy at the club. It’s great to see.”
Dempsey-Ceh and Kavic opened Hand Coffee, featuring an acronym for ‘Have A Nice Day’, in August last year after spending seven years working together at various cafes around the Gold Coast.
“We went out on a limb and got the small space in Broadbeach,” Dempsey-Ceh said.
“It’s going great. It’s been just over a year and we are still seeing new customers.”
The business operates from Monday to Friday, leaving the weekend open for football.
The two aren’t the only Cats players who have interesting careers outside of football.
Ryan Dienjes, who has played 123 games for the club, is a scaffolder who works up to five hours on a Saturday before playing football.
Xavier McMahon is studying to be a doctor, Josh Searl is an engineer and Matthew Fowler is a crane operator.
Dempsey-Ceh said the whole club was buzzing in the days in leading into the final.
“We are all pretty excited,” Dempsey-Ceh said.
“We had a few of the boys in the shop the other day and they were all pumped up.
“It should be a good weekend.
“Palmy will be a challenge but the whole club is buzzing.
“We can’t wait to get out there and do what we can for the side.”