MOUNT Isa Rugby League has elected its board for 2015, with plenty of fresh, excited faces among them.
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One of them is new president Shaun Wilde, who is keen to continue the growth of the sport within the city.
“I took on the role of president because I wanted to give back to the community,” Wilde said.
“I love going down to footy and seeing all the kids enjoying themselves, as it’s a great leveller.
“Football builds confidence and creates opportunities on and off the field.’’
Wilde got involved in rugby league as a seven-year-old, when he began his playing career with Brothers.
“I started playing rugby league for Brothers when I was seven years old, and I still consider myself a Brothers man,” he said.
“I am still friends with my early coaches including Ricko Aplin and Snake McElligott.
“One of my closest friends Allen Punch and I played footy together, and we still laugh about our playing days.
“Despite this year being my first time on the Mount Isa Rugby League committee, I have been involved as a player for close to 30 years.
“Most recently, for the last two seasons, I ran the water for Starries and we won the grand final in 2013.”
As a player, Wilde played A grade while in high school in Darwin, with Norths in Rockhampton and played for Boomanulla Raiders in Canberra.
“Playing football in Canberra was an experience, as we played in Cooma and Jindabyne in winter time and the ground was half frozen,” he said
“When my son was younger, he always told his friends that I played for the Raiders and everyone though he meant Canberra Raiders.
“Being a Rabbitohs fan, I wanted to name my son after Phil Blake and Mark Carroll but wasn’t allowed.”
Off the field, Wilde hopes the MIRL can continue to build on the success of the past few seasons.
“I want football to continue well into the future and be the highlight of the weekly Mount Isa calendar,” he said.
“The MIRL committee is working on having the juniors and seniors all playing on the same day - the Saturday.
“I want the seniors to be role models for the juniors as all the juniors look up to the senior players.
“We also have Sue Nott on the MIRL committee as the women’s/girls co-ordinator.
“It would be good to have more women/girls involved in rugby league and maybe play a few games or even a ‘women in league’ round.
“Sue is heavily involved with Townies and she will bring her ideas and experience to MIRL.
“Everyone knows I am passionate about my community.
“When I was a kid, my grandfather Allan Major introduced me and other family members to footy.
“He did all this from his own resources and I would like to honour him in some form.
“I haven’t discussed it with the family or MIRL, but I would like to revitalise the Allan Major All Blacks Carnival and run it under the MIRL banner.
“Ideally, it will be a small regional carnival and teams take the names of their language groups, such as the Kalkadoon Warriors.”
Wilde and Nott will be joined by six other dedicated committee members for the 2015 season.
“This year we have a junior president for MIRL as a result of the growth we had over the last few seasons,” Wilde said.
“Miebaka Dede has stepped up as the junior president and I will support him in any way I can.
“Deon Barritt is again the treasurer. It is great to have Deon back on the committee, as she will provide with us with direction and leadership.
“Scott ‘Mr Football’ Kyle is helping the committee and will be the vice-president.
“Scott is a champion and we are all glad he is helping us.
“Chris Waters is the representative co-ordinator, and is already working on potential representative games for both the juniors and seniors.
“I am glad Chris is doing this as the juniors need to experience the joys of going away and representing Mount Isa, presenting them with the chance of being noticed by talent scouts.
“Bernie Maye is the referees co-ordinator again for 2015, and without him and his team there are no games, so I am a big fan of Bernies.”
The board will also work closely with Mount Isa Rugby League development officer Laurie Taylor and Queensland North West Region Rugby League operations manager Sarah Bax.
“Both Laurie and Sarah are valuable assets to MIRL and the wider community,” Wilde said.
“Laurie is an experienced campaigner that MIRL needs to use efficiently because if we don’t, it will be a lost opportunity.
“I have spoken to a few people from Cloncurry and Doomadgee, and they are interested in doing the referee and sports injury courses that Laurie runs.
“We need to build capacity in the region and within the clubs so that footy continues to grow.
“Laurie’s experience and ideas will help MIRL maintain our position as the number one sport in Mount Isa.”
Wilde and his board are already starting to make big plans for 2015, including introducing an awards night.
“I have mentioned to the committee that I would like to see a Players Player of the Year and team of the year awarded,” he said.
“It would be similar to the Dally M awards, but the refs give their one, two and three points to the players that they see consider to be the best players each game.
“It’s a way of celebrating good and fair footy.
“In addition, Chris Waters and others have fought to have the Outback carnival in Mount Isa next June.
“The Outback Committee agreed to having the carnival in Mount Isa, so we will be having the A grade carnival here on the weekend of June 27 and 28.
“So this is the big ticket item that MIRL will be focusing on for next season.”