Rugby boss resigns

GOLD Coast District Rugby Union chairman Kim Bending has resigned from his post as the Gold Coast returns to play from its COVID-19 hibernation.

The 65-year-old quietly tendered his resignation to the GCDRU board last week with four months remaining of his four-year term.

Bending said he was confident the systems installed by the board would continue to serve the game in his absence.

“As far as I’m concerned this is my last hurrah with rugby,” Bending said.

“I don’t wish to continue any formal contact or administration going forward.

“I turn 66 in a couple of weeks so I feel that, over 45 years, I’ve earned my stripes and put enough into the game for no recompense.

“I did it for the love of the game. To me, it’s about service and I believe the service I gave this district was 110 per cent.”

Bending moved to the Gold Coast in the early 1990s after stints coaching club rugby in Brisbane and Townsville.

Bending assisted Nerang to the 1993 Gold Coast premiership before signing on as inaugural coach of the Gold Coast Breakers in 1996 and 97.

Bending coached Helensvale to their maiden Grand Final in 2002 before joining Surfers Paradise, where he served as club president.

Bending was voted on as chairman of the GCDRU board in November 2017 which was in a profound state of financial disrepair.

“It was a black hole of

WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE WITH LESSER PEDIGREES IN RUGBY COMMENT ABOUT WHERE WE’RE AT I FIND … EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO AN OPINION

KIM BENDING

with no assets, none whatsoever – we were ground zero,” he said.

“When we came in the current board moved this district into profit and has made a strong brand for rugby on the Gold Coast. That’s something I’ve very proud of what the board has done.”

Bending said he rejected criticism his administration had been autocratic.

“From some quarters there was criticism the board didn’t listen to stakeholders and that’s an absolute, complete furphy,” he said. “There was a comment made about me being autocratic.

“I think that’s disappointing and it’s off because there are six other board members who make decisions and I’ve been outvoted on many occasions.

“When I have people with lesser pedigrees in rugby comment about where we’re at I find … everyone is entitled to an opinion.”