The Brisbane Broncos’ grassroots team toured Mackay last month as the club’s Game Development squad shone a light on regional Queensland in the off-season.
Club legend and five-time Premiership winner Michael Hancock, along with 2006 Broncos Premiers Casey McGuire and David Stagg, returned to north Queensland, visiting eight schools in two days.
Mr McGuire is a proud regional Queenslander and says the club has a rich history in the regions.
“For the last 20 years and more, the Broncos have made a big point of making connections in the regional communities,” he said.
“We recognise early that a very small percentage of kids that will go on and play professional sport for a living, so we try and cater for those kids that are preparing for life after school.
“It’s about preparing them for work after school and just being good people, and their health and wellbeing is important too.”
The team ran mentoring and skills sessions at Mackay Northern Beaches State High School, Eimeo Road State School, Mackay North State High School, Fitzgerald State School on Wednesday, October 26, followed by Mackay West State School, Catherine McAuley College, Mackay State High School and Pioneer State High School the following Thursday.
Mr Hancock has singled out the club’s ongoing commitment to servicing junior rugby league clubs and schools across Queensland as a key to the Broncos brand.
“When we come into rural and regional areas, where a lot of our players come from, we try and support that region so hopefully they can continue to thrive,” Hancock said.
“Often times, you do see other clubs down south come and take the best and never return to give back.
“With now four clubs in Queensland, collectively we should be able to do a great job on the grass to help boys and girls in general, to have an opportunity to not only go to the Broncos, but the opportunity to go to three other clubs.
“The more the competition is strong, the more rugby league is strong.”
Broncos legends Michael Hancock, David Staggs and Casey Maguire with the Catherine McCauley College rugby league team. Photo supplied
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