Tweed Seagulls launch into season 2022

Tweed Seagulls launched into 2022 with close to 150 guests in attendance at their season-opening event held at the Seagulls Club yesterday.

Off the back of a top-four finish in the Hostplus Cup last season, confidence is high amongst the men’s side with head coach Ben Woolf looking forward to the year ahead.

“We’re looking forward to it and we’re ready to go,” Woolf said.

“We’ve managed to maintain a lot of our roster (from last season), so we’re getting to know how they play and they’re settling into the way that we coach as well.

“We’ve made some good additions to our squad as well, so we’re looking to improve on what we did last year.

“It’s a tough competition. It’s unpredictable because you don’t really know what’s going to come back from the NRL each week as well, but we adapt and it’s about developing the players.”

CEO Matt Francis said he was excited about the year ahead and was keen for the club to continue its rise.

“It was great to have all of our valued partners in the room after what has been such a difficult period for so many,” Francis said.

“The club worked extremely hard throughout 2021 to keep everyone on the field around restrictions and so on, but it’ll be great to get back to Piggabeen, which has recently been redeveloped, to play in front of our local community.

“We have such great support here at Tweed and we’re really excited about 2022, not just for the Hostplus Cup side, but all our men’s, women’s and junior teams.”

Gold Coast Titans head coach Justin Holbrook attended the launch and was extremely complimentary of the affiliate program and the relationship they have with the Seagulls.

“It’s a crucial part of any club set-up (the pathways program),” Holbrook said.

“We’re really lucky that Woolfy and the club are so supportive in what we need to achieve.

“When the guys come back to Tweed they obviously want to play well. The staff ensure that they get the opportunity they need whether they are young developing players or experienced players who are looking to get back into our top 17.”

The Seagulls will start their Hostplus Cup season with a Round 1 match against Brisbane Tigers.