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Good morning from Queensland's Gold Coast - Friday 8th
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Terry Matterson willing to quit Castleford UK job By Steve Ricketts - Foundation Broncos forward Terry Matterson last night revealed he would be ready to walk away from his burgeoning coaching career in the English Super League if he was approached to replace Wayne Bennett at Brisbane.
Matterson said he had a get-out clause in his two-year deal with newly promoted Yorkshire club Castleford and would love a return to the NRL.
He remains committed to assisting the Tigers consolidate their place in the English top division, but admitted his strongest emotional ties were with the Broncos where he played for eight years, including the 1992 and '93 grand final wins over St George.
The Sydney Roosters product, 40, said his career goal was to be a head coach and he would return to Australia only if he was offered such a post.
He said he was not afraid of filling Bennett's considerable shoes, even though Queensland State of Origin coach Mal Meninga described the job as a "poisoned chalice".
"If you ask me whether I'm interested in the Broncos job, the answer is yes," Matterson said from his home at Wetherby in England. "I have a strong emotional attachment to the place and it's a club you associate with success.
"I can see where Mal is coming from but there are not too many situations where you start a new job in coaching and everything is ideal.
"Every move I have made has been to better myself and the next move would have to be a step up. I had offers to return to Australia last year as an assistant coach in the NRL after Castleford were relegated but I see myself as a head coach now."
Former Broncos teammate Gavin Allen believes Matterson is the man for the job, given his ties to the club and the fact he has experience first as a coach and chief executive at Queensland Cup level and then as an assistant coach to Matt Elliott at Canberra.
"The fact Terry was prepared to move his family to England to pursue his aims is proof of his passion for the career he has chosen," Allen said.
"It would have been easy for him to return to Australia last year as an assistant coach because it must have been soul-destroying at times playing down a division in England.
"Terry has developed his ideas away from the Broncos and he would bring in fresh ideas while understanding the culture of the place." Read more Courier Mail
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Benji Marshall expected to re-sign with Wests Tigers Wests Tigers are tomorrow expected to announce the re-signing of Kiwis test five-eighth Benji Marshall until the end of the 2009 National Rugby League (NRL) season.
Marshall comes off contract at the end of 2008 and recently made it clear he hoped to have his future sorted out before the season started on March 14.
The Tigers have scheduled a press conference at their Concord Oval training base tomorrow morning where it is believed Marshall will sign a one-year extension.
Marshall will be hoping for a change in fortune this year following a horrific run with injuries over the past two seasons.
The 22-year-old was limited to just 13 NRL games last year due to two separate shoulder injuries while a broken jaw and another shoulder reconstruction saw him play only 11 games in 2006.
The injury run has led some critics to question whether Marshall's body is up to the rigours of the NRL, with many believing 2008 shapes as a make or break year for the livewire playmaker. Read more NZ Herald
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Broncos not seeking a Bennett 'clone' By Laine Clark - Foundation Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett has been described as the ultimate hard act to follow in rugby league, with the legendary Mal Meninga described the task as a "poisoned chalice".
But Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen says the people who keep talking up the task should "take a cold shower".
Cullen said the resumes from NRL and English Super League coaches that have already arrived at the Broncos showed that applicants were hardly shy away about filling the big shoes to be left behind by Bennett in 2009.
"No one would expect the next coach to try and be Wayne Bennett," Cullen said when asked if Bennett's successor faced a daunting task.
"Wayne Bennett is unique.
"If someone came here and tried to be Wayne Bennett, they would be a failure.
"They've got to come here and bring their own style, and prove themselves in their own right."
Cullen may have only just begun the task of replacing Bennett after the Broncos' "coaching guru" made the shock announcement that he would stand down in 2008, at the end of his 21st season at Brisbane's helm.
But Cullen is already certain about one thing regarding his successor: Don't expect a "Wayne Bennett clone".
"You look back to (coaching great) Jack Gibson. I reckon a lot of coaches failed because they tried to be the next Jack Gibson, whereas they could have been more successful by bringing in their own personality and skill," he said.
"We are not looking for a Wayne Bennett clone."
Queensland Origin coach Meninga, who has ruled himself out of contention for the Broncos job, believes that Bennett's successor may be accepting a "poisoned chalice".
But Cullen said the interest in Bennett's job showed that many people did not share Meninga's view.
"Mal confirmed he was not interested ... (but) did say the guy who is coming along might inherit a poisoned chalice," Cullen said.
"I think he was trying to say more than anything it is going to be a bloody difficult job to try and fill Wayne's shoes.
"(But) I can tell you there's quite a number of people already who don't believe in the poisoned chalice.
"They (applications) are from very high quality to not so. There doesn't seem to be anything holding anyone back at this stage."
Cullen said that high-profile names were among the applications.
"It's right across the board. NRL and English Super League," he said. Read more Foxsports
Gilly axes those Broncos rumours By Luke Turgeon - Titans assistant coach Trevor `The Axe' Gillmeister has rejected claims he wants Wayne Bennett's Broncos job, believing Brisbane powerbrokers have made up their minds who they want for 2009.
The Queensland Origin great yesterday said he had not applied for the Broncos head coaching position and was committed to the Gold Coast.
"I would be surprised if they didn't already have something in place," said Gillmeister, whose name had been mentioned in several reports as a possible replacement for Bennett.
"There would be plenty of blokes that would do a great job but it just depends what they want."
Broncos boss Bruno Cullen said yesterday it would be `three months plus' before they would be close to finalising Bennett's successor despite the problems a drawn-out manhunt may provide for Brisbane's ability to retain the off-contract players.
The Broncos are keen to re-sign up to 10 players including Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker, Joel Moon and David Stagg.
Hannant conceded Bennett's replacement would have a bearing on whether he re-signed with the NRL club.
"I'm sure it would play a big part in it," he said.
"At the moment I don't want to worry about that or try to get my head around it -- I'm going to concentrate on playing football."
Applications from NRL and English Super League coaches have already arrived as the Broncos begin the task of finding a replacement for their foundation mentor.
Bookmakers have installed current assistant Ivan Henjak as favourite for the top job in 2009 but heads a long list of candidates that include New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary, former Penrith and Cronulla mentor John Lang, Broncos legends Kevin Walters and Allan Langer, and departing St Helens coach Daniel Anderson.
At this stage it seems the Broncos are likely to appoint an interim coach for 2009 while waiting to poach premiership winning Storm coach Craig Bellamy or Canberra's Neil Henry once they come off contract in 2010.
While Gillmeister admits he cannot see an NRL head coach role in his immediate future, he refuses to rule it out further down the line.
Gillmeister has been handed the coaching reins for the Titans side to play the club's first trial match against Canberra in Ipswich on February 16.
Tweed Seagulls playmaker Brad Davis has been named captain of a squad largely made up of Queensland Cup and under-20s talent, with a select few expected to earn a place against the Cowboys in Cairns on February 23. Read more GC Bulletin
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West Tigers have one Ellis of a star, says Lyon Glenn Jackson - Manly centre Jamie Lyon last night predicted Gareth Ellis would have the same sort of impact on the NRL as Adrian Morley did, after the Great Britain international signed a long-term deal with Wests Tigers.
The Tigers will today announce two key signings ahead of the 2008 season: Ellis will become the first Great Britain forward to switch to the NRL since Morley, while on a landmark day for the club, Benji Marshall will also commit to the Tigers for another year.
While Marshall's re-signing was no surprise after he pledged his future to the club last Sunday, the signature of Ellis has come somewhat out of the blue.
The Leeds second-rower, who helped the Rhinos to the Super League title last season, has signed a deal believed to be for three seasons. Ellis, who toured Australia with Great Britain in 2006 as part of the Tri-Nations, stems somewhat the flow of NRL stars quitting the home competition for the Super League, whose clubs are in a position to offer significantly more money.
Ellis was last year linked to a move to Manly for 2008, although at the time his official website denied the move, declaring: "While it is flattering for Gareth to be associated with an NRL team and his style of play may be suited to the Australian competition, Gareth currently has no plans to head Down Under."
Morley had a stellar NRL career with the Roosters after quitting Leeds for Bondi Junction in 2001, and Lyon, who played with St Helens for two seasons, predicted Ellis could enjoy similar success.
"They're different players, but I've got no doubts he could have the same impact," Lyon said. "It's a great signing for them. He's a great player. He can pull off a very good shot, he's smart, he's fast, he's a strong runner - he runs like a centre. He's the whole package.
"It might take him a little bit of time with the heat and the different surroundings, but he's a big acquisition. He could be something special."
Ian Millward, now Graham Murray's assistant at North Queensland but previously coach of St Helens and Wigan, was equally emphatic about Ellis's potential in Australia.
"He's tall and rangy and has very good footwork and ball skills, and I think his mobility makes him perfectly suited to the NRL," said Millward, who had tried to lure Ellis to St Helens.
"I thought he was one of the best forwards in the last Tri-Nations in Australia [in 2006], so it's good to see him want to challenge himself in the NRL. If there were three English players you'd want to bring out here, they would be Ellis, James Roby and Jamie Peacock."
The Tigers were not overly active in the player market last year, but after securing their coach, Tim Sheens, and now Marshall and Ellis, they have laid significant foundations for the future. The players have just returned from a pre-season camp in Canberra, and the club will announce the marquee signings this morning at their training base at Concord Oval.
Penrith have also been busy on the home front, yesterday signing lock Trent Waterhouse until the end of 2011. The 27-year-old, who was said to be looking to quit the club during the Panthers' woes last season, signed a three-year contract extension, declaring his intention to play out his career with the Panthers. "This is the only club I've ever been at, and I'm happy here," he said.
Elsewhere, Preston Campbell's manager met Gold Coast officials on Wednesday about triggering an option for another season with the Titans.
The club has an option in their favour for Campbell's services after this season, although his manager, Allan Gainey, said a deal could be done within days.
Melbourne have suffered a blow ahead of this month's World Club Challenge in Leeds, against Ellis's Rhinos, after skipper and hooker Cameron Smith yesterday withrew due to the impending birth of his first child.
"There's still a slight chance if the baby arrives early I may make the trip across, but at this point in time it's highly unlikely," Smith said.
Coach Craig Bellamy has sprung a surprise for his contingency plan in Smith's absence, handing the No.9 jumper to utility Matt Geyer. While Bellamy is unsure whether Geyer will start the match at hooker, the veteran has been spending significant time there during the off-season and is likely to play a role as Smith's back-up at times this year. Read more League HQ
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Russian Vereya v Leigh Miners Rangers - Carnegie Challenge Cup. - Russian team Vereya have been drawn against Leigh Miners Rangers in the second round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
Vereya, who are from Narofominsk on the outskirts of Moscow, were runners-up in the Russian Championship to Lokomotiv Moscow, who will enter the competition along with National League clubs at the third-round stage.
Second-round draw:
Bramley Buffaloes v Wigan St Pats,
Wath Brow Hornets v Ellenborough Rangers,
Royal Navy v Rochdale Mayfield,
Hull Dockers v Skirlaugh,
Ince Rose Bridge v British Army,
York Acorn v Bradford Dudley Hill or Dewsbury Celtic,
Normanton v East Hull,
Leeds Metropolitan University v Leigh East,
West Bowling v Featherstone Lions,
Leigh Miners Rangers v Vereya,
Warrington Wizards v Stanningley Bank,
Quay Bulls or Drighlington v Millom,
Oulton v West Hull or Widnes,
St Maries Siddal v Eastmoor or Queens
Ties to be played on the weekend of February 23-24. Read more Sporting Life
RLCM we will reproduce some of the questions and answers which featured on the LeagueCoach website. Feel free to use the forum link to barter thoughts on coaching and training drills and philosophies. Thanks to all those who contributed during the month.
Skolars v Celtic Crusaders - Sun 10th 3 p.m - There will be a few surprise faces playing on Sunday.
Some old and some new. No more clues! Please get down and support the boys in their first home game of the season.
Ben Araud, Skolars General Manager is very excited by the kick off to the season.
He said, "I want to see a real improvement in match days at the club. New River isn't Wembley but its zone 3 of London and a 44 acre site.
"We will do our best to welcome both home and away fans and make their experience as good as any in the National Leagues.
"I just ask Londoners to get behind the team and celebrate the fact rugby is so popular now in the Capital!" Skolars Online
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North Queensland Cowboys Coach Update - The North Queensland Cowboys would like to invite all interested people to attend a Coach Update on Friday the 22nd of February 2008 leading into our trial game in Cairns on the 23rd of February.
The update will be held at Cairns Junior Rugby League grounds at Mann Street from 6pm through to 7.30pm.
Cowboy's NRL Assistant Coach Matt Parish will be conducting the update.
Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for a moderately practical skills session.
For further information contact Cowboy's Development Manager Kristian Woolf on 0428 888 355. NQ Cowboys Online
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Harlequins Reserves to Play Curtain Raisers - Harlequins Rugby League are delighted to announce that in 2008 their Reserve team will play home fixtures at The Stoop, as 'curtain raisers' to the first team's engage Super League games.
This will be the first time in the club's history that the Reserves (U21 Academy) will have had the opportunity to play regularly on the same pitch as the main game.
This new initiative comes as part of Harlequins Rugby League's long term commitment to the development of the sport of Rugby League in London and it is believed that this initiative will assist on a number of levels.
For the Reserves, the curtain raisers will provide them with the opportunity to play in a top class facility and showcase their skills not only in front of bigger crowds but also in front of first team coaching staff.
Quins RL supporters will also be able to view first hand the outstanding level of talent that is pushing its way through the club's Academy towards the top grade.
Harlequins RL Chief Executive Paul Brown has said: "With the ever increasing profile and importance of the Academy, we had a lot of feedback and interest from our supporters that they wanted to see and follow the games."
"It has a lot of positive performance advantages for us as a club, and 7 of our current Super League squad came through the Reserves side, and a number will obviously feature at times in 2008 - so they'll be exciting games to watch."
"It also adds value to your season or match ticket - 8 times this year you should have two games of high quality rugby league to watch for the price of one."
Reserves Coach and Assistant first team Coach Rob Powell is also all for this new initiative saying: "The Reserves playing curtain raisers is a massive step forward for the club. It is important that there is a transition for the junior players through to first grade. It is also a great tool for the coaches to see the players and a great motivating factor for the players themselves."
"It's equally important for the London fans to be able to get behind London players who have the chance of one day playing in the first team" Powell added.
This announcement follows suit with other new to 2008 Harlequins RL initiatives geared at assisting the development of Rugby League in the area. These initiatives include the reduction of Quins RL match day and season tickets prices to provide better accessibility to a wider range of people as well as the inclusion of a Quins RL season ticket in the registration package of London based community team players.
The Quins RL Reserves are expected to play their first curtain raiser at The Twickenham Stoop on Saturday 8 March against Huddersfield. Harlequins Online
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The Newtown Jets are ready for their first hit-out this Saturday - Newtown's 2008 triallists will have their first playing assignment this Saturday, weather and ground conditions permitting. The Jets have entered a team in the NSWRL International Nines tournament to be conducted at the Cabramatta Sports Ground (Sussex Street, Cabramatta) on Saturday, February 9th 2008 commencing at 12 noon.
This is a 16 team tournament and other NSW Cup teams participating are the Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies. Windsor, who this year will act as Penrith's feeder team in the NSW Cup competition (the former Premier League) will also be playing on Saturday, along with a number of entries from the Rugby League Emerging Nations group such as the Cook Islands and American Samoa.
The Newtown RLFC team management felt that the Nines tournament is a suitable opportunity for the Newtown triallists group to stake their individual claims for inclusion in the Jets 2008 NSW Cup squad.
Head coach Greg Matterson has named the following players for Saturday's tournament:
Rhys Pritchard, Hep Cahill, Luke Millwood, Toshio Laiseni, Khalid Deeb, Ray Moujali, Daniel Green, Luke Gordon, Ben Green, Jimmy Andersen, Byron Ford (ex-Souths and Hull Kingston Rovers), Michael Taouk (formerly with Newtown and Chester Hill), Ali Karouche (ex-Bulldogs), Joe Phillipe (ex-Roosters) and Fonua Fale (ex-Souths).
Newtown's first trial (under full match conditions) is against the Macquarie United Scorpions (who play in the strong Newcastle Rugby League competition) at the Lyle Peacock Oval, Toronto on Saturday, 16th February. This trial is due to kick off at 5.00pm.
Macquarie United is coached by the former Newtown first grader Mal Graham, who has compiled an impressive coaching record in NSW country football over the past twenty years.
Given Sydney's weather conditions of the past week, Saturday's Nines tournament at the Cabramatta Sports Ground hangs in the balance depending on weather conditions in the next twenty-four hours.
Please check with the Cabramatta Leagues Club on 9727 8788 if you want to know if the tournament is still on. Newtown Jets Online
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Castleford unveil the KFC/Sportsmatch PAWS programme -
Castleford are delighted to unveil the KFC/Sportsmatch PAWS programme, which has been made possible through a tremendous Sportsmatch/KFC award of £50,000.
The scheme will see the club appointing a specialist tutor, Michaela Anderson, to fill the role of the clubs Dance Development Officer and she will be visiting local primary schools to teach a variety of dance styles which will cater for both boys and girls.
Each school visited will be given the opportunity to perform the routine on a match day in front of the crowd.
Speaking on behalf of the Tigers, Community Manager Alex Green said, "This scheme will see the creation of an official Castleford Tigers Junior Dance Club - the KFC Paws so that the children visited at school can continue their learning outside the curriculum. It will also lead to the creation of an International Dance Festival, which will be held at a high profile Castleford Tigers match.
"All schools visited who are interested in taking part will be visited by an international Tigers player who will teach them the Haka. The children will then be encouraged to develop their own Haka to perform at the International Dance Festival.
"The support from Sportsmatch and Marsden Developments has made this possible and on behalf of the Tigers I would like to express our gratitude.
"And things kicks off this coming Tuesday with the launch of the Holiday Dance Camp at Roundhill WMC. If anyone needs any further information please contact me on 01977 52674."
Mathew Marsden Director of Marsdens Catering said,"As existing sponsors of the Tigers Cheerleading team, we are delighted about the KFC/Sportsmatch Paws programme.
"The programme will see representatives of the club visiting local primary schools teaching dance skills, which will compliment the extensive work that the club already undertake in teaching rugby skils. We feel that this is a novel idea and are delighted to see the KFC brand backing the club in this venture." Castleford Online
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North Sydney Bears continues Centenary celebrations - The North Sydney Bears RLFC continues its 100th birthday celebrations this Sunday with a Centenary Open Day and plaque unveiling at the club's spiritual home of North Sydney Oval.
Former Bears legend Jason Taylor - now first-grade coach of South Sydney - joined North Sydney Mayor Genia McCaffery, Australian Rugby League Chairman Colin Love and Chief Executive Geoff Carr today to unveil a special Centenary Plaque commemorating the North Sydney School of Arts, where the foundation club was born in 1908.
Yesterday's unveiling was a precursor to an emotional open day at North Sydney Oval this Sunday when the Bears faithful will head 'back on the road again' to celebrate a century of memorable moments. 'JT' will be there also revisiting the scene of some memorable Bears victories.
Lucky fans present on the day will get the chance to take on some of the biggest legends to ever don the Bears' colours in a game of tag football.
The Bears Centenary Challenge will pit former North Sydney stars such as Jason Taylor, Les Kiss, David Fairleigh, Michael Buettner, Matt Seers, Josh Stuart, Mark Cannon, Gavin Jones, David Peachey and Greg Florimo against a team of Red and Blacks fans.
Fans will also get their chance to see who is the greatest Bears goal-kicker of all, with former greats Darryl Halligan, Jason Taylor and Les Kiss taking part in the 'Sharpshooter Showdown' goal-kicking contest.
"This is every Bears fan's dream," North Sydney General Manager Greg Florimo said.
"It's not often you get the chance to play a game of tag footy against your heroes, but for a handful of lucky supporters, that dream will become a reality on Sunday."
Mr. Florimo said the Bears Centenary Challenge was just one of a number of activities planned for the club's Open Day Birthday Bash.
"One of the highlights of the day will be the unveiling of a commemorative Centenary plaque at the club's spiritual home of North Sydney Oval.
"The club has played there since 1910 and the plaque will act as a permanent reminder of the special link between the club and the ground.
"There'll also be an exhibition of Bears' memorabilia set up in the Oval's dressing sheds, which will be open to the public.
"There will also be a band, a pass-the-ball competition, and a jumping castle and face painting for the kids.
"Best of all, you'll get to mingle with some of the Bears best ever players, as well as other Bears fans; the best fans in rugby league".
Entry will be free with the festivities to start at 11am, and finish at around 3pm.
WHAT: NORTH SYDNEY CENTENARY OPEN DAY
WHEN: Sunday 10 February, 2008
WHERE: North Sydney Oval
TIME: 11am to 3pm
North Sydney Bears Online
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Newtown forms a partnership with the Chester Hill Rhinos. - The Newtown RLFC has received approval from the NSW Rugby League to form a partnership in 2008 with the Chester Hill Rhinos RLFC (which plays in the Jim Beam Cup competition). This partnership will provide for Newtown-registered players not selected in the NSW Cup team on any given weekend to maintain their match fitness and playing form by gaining selection in the Rhinos Jim Beam Cup side.
The partnership with Newtown also provides an incentive for Chester Hill players to aim for higher selection in the Newtown NSW Cup team.
The Chester Hill club has several identities familiar to Newtown Jets supporters. The team is coached by that former rampaging Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs front-rower Geoff Robinson and the famous Hughes brothers are connected with the club as well.
The Laundy family, so well known in NSW hoteliers' circles, have a financial interest in the club and the Rhinos are captained by a great Henson Park crowd favourite from the 2005 season, the hard-working and skilful front-rower David Thompson. Newtown Jets Online
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Newtown's gymnasium complex gets better and better - Newtown supporters need have no fear as to the professional preparation of those Newtown-registered players who have been in training since early November under the eagle eyes of Head Coach Greg Matterson and Strength & Conditioning Maestro Dennis "Rowdy" Yates.
These lads will be competing for places in Newtown's 2008 NSW Cup team against players from our partnership club (and fellow 1908 NSWRL foundation club) the Sydney Roosters - and let me assure you the Newtown training squad won't lack anything in strength, fitness, toughness and resolution.
The Newtown gymnasium is situated in a property provided for the use of the Newtown RLFC by long-time Jets supporter, Director, Life Member and sponsor Terry Rowney.
The gym proved to be Newtown's ace in the 2005 and 2006 seasons when the club's Jim Beam Cup team made the semi-finals in 2005 and the Grand Final in 2006 - due in large measure to the top class preparation given to our players in Rowdy Yates's notorious House of Pain.
The gym has never looked better in 2008 and has a number of improved features.
The facility is airy, well-lit and appropriately painted throughout in royal blue and white. There are ample toilet facilities, showers, chilled water bubblers plus the complex is scrupulously maintained in terms of cleanliness.
Modern training equipment includes treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines plus a wide range of weights and exercise stations that is the equal of any other professional Rugby League club.
There is also a general purpose training room with a large floor area of compressed rubber tiles - this is ideal for circuit work in wet weather utilising boxing and medicine ball routines.
Another feature of the complex is a respite room with comfortable chairs, in which the walls are festooned with framed historic Newtown photographs and posters ranging from 1908 to 2007, many of these items being on long term loan from Newtown Directors Terry Rowney and John Lynch.
The club's strength and conditioning coach Dennis "Rowdy" Yates is one of the best in the business. Dennis was a St Peters junior and was first connected with fitness training at Newtown as far back as 1971.
He has also worked at the Eastern Suburbs RLFC, the City Tattersalls Club and in other sports like boxing. He has been on the gymnasium and school fitness staff at SCEGS Redlands for many years and has been back in the Newtown camp since 2002.
Dennis is also a valuable man on game-days with his competent and unflappable management skills from the bench. Newtown Jets Online
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Fiji National Players interested in playing in Australia - I have some Fiji National Players that are interested in playing in Australia.
Please contact me so I can send their profiles and also discuss ways of them securing sporting visas.
I will also make effort to talk to you if given land line number in Australia.
Ilaitia Naqau
Nadera Panthers
PO Box 6706
Nasinu.
Fiji Islands.
Email inaqau@...
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Queensland Country and the Cowboys Continue Partnership - NQ Toyota Cowboys CEO Peter Parr announced today that Queensland Country Credit Union would continue its sponsorship of the club for the next five years.
The statement was made at QCCU Branch at Willows Shoppingtown. Chief Executive Officer Peter Parr said the club was delighted to be continuing the relationship with Queensland Country.
"Queensland Country and the Cowboys are Queensland and community based organisations. QCCU focuses on its members and so do we," Mr Parr said.
Mr Parr described Queensland Country as an 'outstanding corporate partner' for the Cowboys for the past six seasons.
"The professional manner in which Queensland Country has supported this sponsorship has been outstanding, and the Cowboys are very comfortable in the knowledge that Queensland Country will again be in our corner for the next 5 seasons."
Debra Burden CEO of Queensland Country Credit Union is also excited about the4 continuing relationship. "Queensland Country Credit Union and Health Fund is all about partnership. Partnership with our members. Partnership with our community. Partnership with our footy team. We see the sponsorship with the North Queensland Cowboys as two great Queensland teams working together to make a real difference in the lives of the Queensland country community," said Debra Burden
"Queensland Country Credit Union and Health Fund has been a Cowboys sponsor for six years, We've found it's been an excellent way to introduce the Credit Union and Health Fund to future members and at the same time make our existing members and staff feel proud to be associated with our region's premier football team. Being a major sponsor has elevated our visibility and provided us with many opportunities to promote the great benefits of belonging to Queensland Country."
Toyota Cowboys players Ray Cashmere and Carl Webb who were present for the announcement today were impressed with QCCU's service in many ways.
"Playing Rugby League in the NRL takes up a lot of time. At QCCU they look after you with automatic bill paying directly out of your account," Ray Cashmere said.
Carl Webb injured his calf muscle towards the end of last season and was amazed at the assistance he received from Queensland Country Health. "Getting an injury while your playing is bad enough, is a worry on its own let alone the complicated medical paperwork. Queensland Country Health has taken the worry out of it for me and now I'm ready to go for season 2008," Carl Webb said.
Queensland Country offers the full range of financial services that you will find at most banks. What makes them different is that they exist to serve their members, not shareholders, and therefore strive to help them meet their financial goals.
With this focus on the members Queensland Country offers unique products that aim to make our members lives easier.
With 23 branches through out the state of Queensland they have you covered. Queensland Country is proud to be the only financial institution that has its head office situated in Townsville.
QCCU is the "official banking partner & exclusive financial services partner of the Cowboys (excluding superannuation, general insurance and asset leasing)" NQ Cowboys
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Peponis plays down Folkes time limit Bulldogs chairman George Peponis has refuted claims that coach Steve Folkes was on borrowed time at the NRL club, but it was hardly the ringing endorsement Folkes would have craved.
Responding to comments Folkes had just seven weeks to prove he deserved another contract at the club, Peponis said the coaching position had not yet been discussed at board level.
"All last year when the question of Steve's future was brought up in the public forum I responded the same way, no decision regarding his future would be made until April or May in the year that his contract was up," Peponis said in a statement posted on the club's website.
"That is consistent with how the board has operated in previous years when Steve's contract came up.
"We owe Steve the courtesy of talking with him about his future before any possible discussions may occur with anyone else.
"He has been a great player for this club, our longest serving coach, a premiership-winning coach and he deserves the right to be addressed before future plans evolve."
The Bulldogs have been linked with Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett, who will quit the Broncos following the 2008 season.
Bennett stated that he intended to coach again next season and the Bulldogs, St George Illawarra and North Queensland are the early favourites to snare the veteran mentor.
Bennett is believed to be the favoured option of a group of former players including Graeme Hughes, Andrew Farrar and Paul Dunn, hoping to take control of the Bulldogs board.
Peponis wouldn't comment on speculation that Bennett was Belmore-bound.
"I have the utmost respect for Wayne Bennett as a coach, but it would be disrespectful to Steve to talk to anyone about coaching the Bulldogs, including Wayne, before talking with Steve," he said. Read more Yahoo Sport
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Smith to miss World Club Challenge
Storm captain withdraws from World Club Challenge due to the impending birth of his first child.
Club ready to talk turkey with Gidley
The Knights will take their first step today towards re-signing utility back Kurt Gidley.
Logan sidelined by neck injury
Canberra Raiders prop could enter the NRL season with no trial games under his belt.
Generation next at Knights
The Newcastle Knights will field their first second-generation player. Read more League HQ
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BAILE SET FOR SUPER LEAGUE BOW
Jean Philippe Baile is in Catalans' squad for Saturday's trip to Castleford.
HAPE CONSIDERS UNION
Shontayne Hape could follow Lesley Vainikolo into rugby union.
WELLENS WON'T LOOK BACK
Paul Wellens insists dethroned champions St Helens won't be looking back in 2008. Read more Sporting Life
RFL unveil new logo - The Rugby Football League (RFL) has unveiled the logo for the newly-formed England rugby league side. Following the splitting up of the Great Britain team into the individual nations of England, Scotland and Wales, the RFL has now selected a new badge to replace the old GB version.
It features the St George's flag with '1895' in yellow text in the centre of the cross, signifying the year in which rugby league broke away from the old code of rugby union to establish a new sport.
The logo will be used in this year's World Cup in Australia and will be used on all official merchandise and kit ahead of the tournament, which begins in October.
Commenting at the launch, the RFL's marketing manager Phil Williams said: "The new England brand has a modern feel to it which reflects the innovative nature of rugby league.
"It gives the England team a fresh new look but also captures the history of the game which we feel is an important element.
"We believe the logo also reflects the forward-thinking and passionate nature of the sport of rugby league and creates a powerful image of the England team brand."
Williams said that stakeholders and supporters had been consulted during the design process, which has taken around 12 months to complete.
"We wanted everyone to feel part of the process as the England rugby league team belongs to the whole game," he continued.
"We believe supporters will wear the new design with pride and follow the England team with passion, not only for this year's Rugby League World Cup in Australia but for many years to come." www.inthenews.co.uk
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Clean slate for Tony Smith - Tony Smith says reputation will count for nothing when it comes to picking his World Cup squad.
The England coach, who has just returned from a fact-finding mission Down Under, says form will be the only guideline when it comes to selecting his party for Australia 2008.
And although he was quick to point out it is not meant as a warning for those established stars who triumphed in the New Zealand series last year, he made it clear that the door is wide open for anyone to force their way into the reckoning.
"All the guys that were involved in that New Zealand series did themselves a lot of justice and put their names forward and this is a new year and each team I'm involved and my coaching staff are involved in, will be picked on form," he told Boots 'n' All.
"It's up the players now to go out there and put that form on the board again, but it's certainly open to all English players to represent and put that great badge on their heart.
"I've got no doubt there's some senior campaigners out there that have done a lot of very good things for their country and will be doing the same again.
"I'm sure that they'll put the form on the board throughout the season to get themselves selected.
"But if they don't - and it's not a warning - everybody wants to play for their country but they want to be picked on good form, they don't want anybody to give them a leg up or be picked because of their name. They want to be there on their form.
"The players will agree with that system so certainly it will be picked on form. I think that's the only way to go."
England's opening game with Papua New Guinea may be over eight months away, but Smith is more than happy with the preparations that have been put in place.
His recent trip to his homeland was to check on training facilities and pre-tournament plans and he was happy enough with what he saw to turn down the offer of a warm-up game with the Manly Sea Eagles.
"They came in fairly late," he said. "We'd pretty much set our stall out as far as our warm-up games are concerned but they came in with a late suggestion and one that probably just didn't wuite fit our calendar really.
"But we're going to have the midi game against the French again and we're more likely to pick our strongest team rather than rest our senior players for that one.
"Then towards the back end of the year we're looking to have a warm-up game against the Irish - who are also involved in the World Cup - so that's likely to happen just after the Grand Final, just before we head off to Australia."
When England do eventually jet off Down Under, they are likely to do so as third favourties behind the hosts and New Zealand.
Smith is more than happy for his men to be classed as dark horses, but is quietly confident that they can upset the odds and bring England their first taste of World Cup glory since Great Britain - and Stevo - lifted the trophy in 1972.
"We're probably rightfully put in third, maybe second depending on how you view the Kiwi series and probably due to the fact that we're the only nation that puts on a competition other than the Australians.
"Whether that puts us into second place is up to everybody else to discuss. But we've got a very good chance and I'm going to take players to the World Cup who feel the same way: if they don't, then they won't come." Sky Sports
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Create your own Animated Drills for Rugby League with Rugby Pro 2006 from TruStorm Software. Rugby Pro is an easy to use coaching tool to design rugby league drills and plays, click here to read more.
Domestic World Cup Travel
The Rugby League Experience is providing a range of packages for local, interstate and visitors.
To be kept up to date with all the latest tour information you can register your interest here.
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Fiji National Players interested in playing in Australia - I have some Fiji National Players that are interested in playing in Australia.
Please contact me so I can send their profiles and also discuss ways of them securing sporting visas.
I will also make effort to talk to you if given land line number in Australia.
Ilaitia Naqau
Nadera Panthers
PO Box 6706
Nasinu.
Fiji Islands.
Email inaqau@...
RLCM we will reproduce some of the questions and answers which featured on the LeagueCoach website. Feel free to use the forum link to barter thoughts on coaching and training drills and philosophies. Thanks to all those who contributed during the month.
Port Kembla District RLFC
The Port Kembla District RLFC competes in the Carlton Illawarra League on the South Coast of NSW in First and Reserve Grades and Under 18s.
The club is looking for players for the 2008 season, and is particularly interested in talking with Front Rowers and Centres.
Interested players can contact a member of the club's committee listed below.
A playing package can be discussed with the committee.
Chris Walsh - President - 0407409039
Jeff Grant - Secretary - 0400460122
Rick Lyddiard - Treasurer - 0408973457
PLEASE NOTE
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The RLCM website enjoys over 500,000 hits per month and one of the favoured webpages is the RLCM Positions Vacant page.
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If you wish your advertisement to appear in the RLCM Newsletter we would appreciate if you or your club is a Paid RLCM Subscriber or a purchaser a RLCM product.
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RLCM Coaching Extract
An extract from the soon to be released 2008 RLCM Coaching Yearbook and CD-ROM - distributed to RLCM Paid Subscribers
Running Better Team Meetings - Simple as 3 x 3 x 3
By Wayne Goldsmith, MOREGOLD PERFORMANCE CONSULTING
Wayne Goldsmith was a keynote presenter at the recent NRL/ARL High Performance Conference in Sydney and Brisbane
Ten Tips for running effective post game meetings in Rugby League:
1. Limit team meetings to a maximum of ten minutes and no more than three minutes on any one topic.
2. Limit the number of slides on any one topic / message to three.
3. Limit the amount of video in any one meeting to three minutes.
4. Ask lots of "why" questions and "what happens next" and "how can we improve on this".
5. CONSTRUCTIVE RATHER than DESTRUCTIVE. The video era has led to the ANALYSIS era. Analysis by nature is DESTRUCTIVE as its purpose is to pull apart, study and understand what happened. Use the analysis process to find new and creative ways to construct better performances.
6. Deliver information to players in a way that makes sense to them - that is, consistent with their unique learning styles and learning preferences.
7. Learn, think, act - make sure there is opportunity for players to learn from the meeting, give them time to think about it and to put it into action.
8. Regularly seek feedback from players on how effectively meetings are conducted.
9. Change the meeting structure, format, venue, presenters etc.
10. LESS MEETINGS - MORE ACTION!
Read more Click to experience the MOREGOLD difference.
RLCM will reproduce some of the discussions which feature on the LeagueCoach website. Feel free to use the forum link to barter thoughts on coaching and training drills and philosophies. Thanks to all those who contributed during the month.
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