10 Mar Business Of Sport Breakfast Kicks Off With Auction: Funds Donated To Local Junior Rugby League Club.
The Business of Sport Breakfast kicked off on the third of March, with a speech from the Broncos CEO, Dave Donaghy, a raffle and the auctioning of valuable NRL memorabilia.
The auctioned items, including a signed Broncos jersey and a framed photograph, went for a total of more than $1200, with all proceeds going to the Gladstone Junior Rugby League Club.
Included in the raffle was a two-night getaway to Agnes Water and Lady Musgrave Island for two people.
The event shone a light on the less glamorous side of the football industry, with Donaghy putting ‘The Business of Sport’ into the spotlight.
Donaghy described the challenges of running a football club amidst a worldwide health crisis, and the responsibility that comes with managing young players.
“When we get kids who are only fifteen years old, it’s not only important that we teach them how to be good players, but also how to grow into good people.”
The proceeds from the event will go into supporting the next wave of players, some professional, and some not. However, the most important thing about NRL is the game itself, and the more people who can get involved, the better.
“While there’s only a small percentage of kids who play NRL that will actually make it through to our teams, the most important part is keeping kids active, and getting them outside and playing the game,” Donaghy said to the full room of people in attendance.
Donaghy also touched on the presence of gender-equality issues that the sport may have faced in the past.
“In terms of equality, fifty-five percent of our staff at the Broncos are women. We’re trying to keep the same standard for our NRL Women’s teams as well as our men.
“Of course this means encouraging young girls as well as boys to get involved in our various Junior Rugby League Programs.”
Donaghy, like many others, first noticed he had a passion for NRL when he was a child, playing games at Chanel College where he went to school. The importance of an event like this means that kids of all skills and abilities can still get out and have fun, regardless of if they have a future playing the sport or not.
Nathan Doyle, the President of the Gladstone Rugby League Club, says the funding will have a massive impact on current and future players at the club.
“The funding will be used to lower the price for our RISE Program to allow more players, both female and male, to participate in the sport. The RISE Rugby League Development Program provides aspirational Junior Rugby League players, those Under 13 and Under 15 with the opportunity to play the game.
“The program also provides coaches with an avenue to obtain specialised training and education through a holistic Rugby League development experience.”
For anyone who would like to get involved with Junior Rugby League this year, the season starts on Saturday the twelfth of March, with spots still available in most age groups.
To secure your position today, call Rugby League Gladstone President Nathan Doyle on 04 1850 5625.
