One of Mount Isa's great servants to junior rugby league has been honoured with a major award..
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Nigel Tremain began his coaching journey in 2016 and has been heavily involved in the North Queensland Country and Queensland Outback junior programs during the past few years.
His over and above dedication to Mount Isa Rugby League last season has seen him named the 2020 BHP Community Coach of the Year.
When Nigel noticed a decline in the number of participants in the under 15 and 17 age groups he discovered most kids weren't happy with the times and days they were playing, so he drafted up a survey to find out the most ideal time they wanted to play and then devised a city versus country concept that took all of the kids' ideas into account.
What happened next was incredible.
Players came from everywhere to be involved.and the concept attracted more than 40 girls to begin playing LeagueTag.
"Nigel is all about inclusion... it's not about winning for him," Mount Isa Rugby League secretary Renee Bonnor said when nominating Tremain for the award.
"He wants kids to get out on the field and enjoy themselves and he makes it a safe and fun environment for all involved," Ms Bonnor said.
"It has been an absolute honour to watch Nigel bring the game back from the brink of extinction."
Surprised by a phone call by Queensland Maroons utility Harry Grant, Queensland Maroons centre Julia Robinson and QRL North region manager Scott Nosworthy, Tremain was honoured to receive the award.
"I appreciate the recognition," he said.
"Obviously, I don't get into it for that. I'm very grateful for whoever [nominated] me for the award.
"We have a lot of talent out here [in Mount Isa] and we need to support the kids and that's what it's all about for me anyway."
First involved with rugby league as a player at aged 13, he first gave coaching a go when his son Kael's team needed help and has grown into a regular representative junior coach.
This includes enduring the annual 32-hour one-way bus trip from Mount Isa to the Sunshine Coast with the Queensland Outback teams.
"I got involved through my son... that's how I got into it," Tremain said.
"There's a lot of work and hours that go into it, but there's a lot of reward as well.
"I think I've done around 20,000 kilometres for rep football in my four years... there's been plenty of times on the bus.
"But we get to go everywhere... we went to Atherton last year, Longreach, Coolum... we go all over the place and just to see the kids and the effort they put in... it's rewarding.
"You need kids out here to get exposure and that's the biggest thing we're trying to push.
"The [honour] is much-appreciated and I'm lost for words."
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