Coaches key to the success of rugby league in Queensland

For the game of rugby league to be successful in Queensland, there are numerous people who need to be involved including volunteers, referees, coaches, players and supporters.

For players to excel, they need to be guided by committed, passionate coaches.

Queensland Rugby League - on a mission to unify coaches across the state - will run a coaches forum at Novotel Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast from November 27-28.  

QRL senior pathways and performance manager Brett Jones said the forum came about to "connect all coaches across the state, recognise them for their efforts, recognise their importance to what we're trying to do as a state - both in strong participation and pathways for players".

The aim of the forum is for coaches to gain a deeper understanding of the player development pathway and the role of the coaching pathway.

"Ultimately, the aim is to have a strong and vibrant rugby league scene represented by the Maroons at the top... we can't do that without having all of our coaches across Queensland aligned, working towards a common goal and having confidence in where we're heading as a state," Jones said.

"It's about moving forward as one."

Jones said the forum would involve presentations from some of the best coaches in the game including Wayne Bennett, Mal Meninga, Kurt Richards, Neil Henry and Tahnee Norris, with a specific focus on effective coaching and talent development principles for players aged between 13 to 15 and 16 to 18. 

"We will also have specialists from other sports and universities talking, as well as a live coaching display and interactive workshops... it's all about creating positive player development environments," Jones said.

"It's been a period of disruption and change in the last two years and this is an opportunity for us to all connect as coaches.

"The vision moving forward is we'd love to see every club across the state - all 450-odd - have a recognised and supported coaching coordinator or director. And that person knows where they can go within the network for support... whether that be an Intrust Super Cup club, QRL, pathways, NRL club.

"Everyone starts to get an alignment to where they fit across the state and feel supported and recognised for that work. 

"We're looking to create a champion for coaching within each club, someone who feels as though they're a part of something bigger.

"We know people give up a lot of time so it's important they feel as though the time they're giving up is part of something and they belong. We want them to know the work they are doing is recognised and rewarded by some of the game's best coaches."

To register, click here.