The Tweed Seagulls’ immediate future as one of the most successful pathways to the National Rugby League has been given a major boost with the announcement of a $1.4 million three-year extension of funding by Norths Collective, parent company of The Seagulls Club.
The Seagulls licenced club is one of five in the Norths Collective group which also funds the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup competition.
The ongoing commitment of Norths was widely welcomed today by the Queensland Rugby League, which hosts the Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup (Queensland Cup), BHP Premiership (women’s statewide competition), Hastings Deering Colts (under-20s) and Auswide Mal Meninga Cup (under-18s), The Cyril Connell Challenge (under-16s) and the Gold Coast Titans who have the Seagulls as a vital feeder team.
The Seagulls are enjoying their most successful period in 15 years with their under-18s having won back-to-back statewide titles and producing some of the NRL’s most exciting prospects while the ISC team stands third on the ladder after making the finals in the last completed competition in 2019.
“The funding of Norths Collective is vital for us to continue as a legitimate pathway for local youth at a critical time in our history,” said Seagulls CEO Matt Francis.
“We are unique in that we provide opportunities for young players across two states – from Northern NSW, the Tweed and the Gold Coast – to play in elite competitions as a direct pathway to the NRL men’s and women’s competitions.
“In the past three years we have seen our former Mal Meninga Cup players like Xavier Coates, Reece Walsh and Tom Dearden make their NRL debuts, we have others like Brendan Piakura and Toby Sexton who are on the verge of following them plus our current ISC fullback Jayden Campbell has come into prominence with his brilliant form.
“And from just three seasons with a women’s team we have produced an Australian representative in Tarryn Aiken, a State of Origin player in Jessika Elliston and have just had Currumbin Eagles product Zara Canfield chosen in the Queensland Origin team.
“It is an exciting time for the Seagulls with development of our ground at Piggabeen Sports Complex in its first stage, thanks to the support of Tweed Council, also taking place.
“Norths Collective’s further commitment plus our close association with the Titans are cornerstones of us continuing to be one of the best rugby league pathways in the country.”
Norths Collective president Mark Holman said the group is proud to extend its partnership for the 2022-24 seasons and further support rugby league at grassroots level.
“Norths Collective, with venues throughout New South Wales, are proud to be part of the NSWRL and QRL families through our involvement with rugby league and this is an extension of our commitment to growing this great game wherever it is played in the community,” Mr Holman said.
Seagulls Club general manager Stuart Burrows added: “Norths Collective and its venues throughout NSW are proud to be part of the QRL family and to extend our commitment to growing this great game and supporting footy wherever it is played in our community. We’re excited to be able to continue our great relationship with, and financial support of, the Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Football Club in a time where people really need community events and engagement.”
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell, whose club has 11 Seagulls under-18s players of 2021 under contract, said he was delighted one of their two feeder teams, along with Burleigh Bears, remains well-positioned to continue producing players of the future.
“We’re excited to know that this funding will go into helping develop the next generation of NRL and NRLW stars,” he said.
“The Tweed Seagulls are a place where kids can start their rugby league journey and go right through to become professional players in our game.
“The Seagulls and Titans share the same philosophies have very similar goals, which sees us both striving to not only be successful on the field but to be clubs that make our local community clubs and the Gold Coast-Tweed region is proud of.”
The Seagulls ISC side is third on the ladder behind Wynnum Manly and Norths Devils after winning 12 (plus a draw) of their past 15 games. The Colts team is running fifth after eight rounds while the under-18s are undisputedly the best junior representative team in Queensland competitions after winning the statewide final in early May in Townsville to add to the 2019 state and national titles (the 2020 season was abandoned after one round).
The BHP (women’s) premiership team finished fifth out of eight teams with the seven-round statewide competition completed last weekend.
Of this year’s under-18s, 16 players have secured agreements.
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