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Season Wrap 

It’s hard to believe the Caloundra RSL Sea Eagles have just completed their maiden season in the QCup. It’s harder to believe they are the QCup Premiers, but that’s exactly the case after a remarkable debut season.

The Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles were born when the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles formed a joint venture with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, with the NRL club supplying its name and a handful of players to the Queensland based team.

That started a roller coaster ride which eventually lead to the premiership. "There have been many testing times during the season," commented CEO Justin Veivers. "I mean bringing full time professional footballers into a semi professional environment each week is difficult enough, but to also get those players on a Friday and have just one training session is also a test. "It’s a real credit to our head coach Brandon Costin. He was able to get the guys to gel and by season’s end produce a really champion football side. "I think the brand of football we played was attractive and built on real team spirit, hence our growing crowds and following."

The Caloundra RSL Sea Eagles experiment saw coast based players mixing with NRL stars and the overall result has been a massive lift in the quality of the locally based players.

Veivers is adamant the football landscape in the region has changed forever. "No doubt we are now producing depth. In just one short season we have been able to build a base. That base will get stronger over time, but the Manly connection has expedited the process and I don’t think it will be long before we have players going from here to the NRL team."

The Sea Eagles secured the rights to host the QCup Grand Final at Stockland Park and the sides naming rights sponsor the Caloundra RSL got involved to help promote the event. That all happened before the coast side had qualified for the season decider. "That was a pretty stressful few weeks. We had the grand final whether we made it or not and obviously there was a lot riding on our side, but the way they won the preliminary final, coming from well down with 15 minutes to go, proved what it meant to the side," Veivers said. "It’s been tremendously satisfying for everyone involved. We had great success with our young colts. They were just one game away from the grand final and that’s a great result. We’ve just launched our Lads To Legends program for our top 16 and 18 year olds and all of a sudden we have a great career path for our young men."

The work’s not over for the Sea Eagles, they’re busy preparing for a title defence and delivering a team the entire region can be proud of."I think that’s the big thing. We can’t stop. We need to keep setting goals. If I have to drag people to our games one at a time I will. We have a great product; it’s an inexpensive day out for the family. People say they want an NRL team on the coast, well we’ve got one and they’re called the Caloundra RSL Sea Eagles and we’re the premiers!"

September

It’s September and for footy fans it’s the month we’ve been waiting for. It’s finals time and for the first time you won’t have to leave the Sunshine Coast to see the best in action. The Caloundra RSL Sea Eagles have secured the rights to host the 2009 QCup decider at Stockland Park. What an exciting time to be a part of our new Club. We are heading for semi final football in our first season. Many tipped us to win the wooden spoon, now they are saying we can win the premiership. What a whirlwind it’s been, what a ride! It’s not too late to get on board as we could host a semi final before the premiership decider on September 12. We are planning three great days of football related action. The Caloundra RSL will be a focal point, with a grand final breakfast, the QCup Concert and the official after party. Show your colours, give our Sea Eagles a cheer and who knows they might even be there on the big day. Put it in your dairy and see the stars of the QCup in your own backyard. Remember September 12.

By Justin Veivers CEO Caloundra RSL Sea Eagles

August

Many would have said the Caloundra RSL Sea Eagles would be the easy beats of the 2009 QCup competition. Our debut season, a brand new organisation and playing in the second best league competition in the world was a daunting task. However as you read this we are well and truly entrenched in the top 6 and a real shot of playing semi- final football and perhaps even be a contender for the premiership. We are not about to get too ahead of ourselves, but I think it’s vital to recognise our success. This was a massive undertaking and to date we have met every challenge in a way that makes me proud to be a part of the organisation. Each week Manly send us five to six players. Their class has been one of the driving factors of our success, but more importantly their desire to play well for their Sunshine Coast club has been vital. To go with our "fly ins" there is a dedicated bunch of men working hard right here on the Sunshine Coast. Together as a unit they are helping progress rugby league in this region like never before. We are looking at semi final football and we can’t wait to see you at a game. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the footy, come and have a look. The standard and quality will amaze you. Off the field we are working hard to make the game day experience, one that you will tell your friends about. It’s a cheap day out and there is nothing better than a winter’s afternoon on the Sunshine Coast. Between now and September we have two vital home games against Easts and Wynnum. Thanks to the Caloundra RSL for their continued support and just by being a member you’ll be eligible for some great Sea Eagles benefits. Stay tuned. When you see the Sea Eagles players at the club, be sure to say hello and wish them well as we push for a maiden QCup Premiership!

By Justin Veivers CEO Caloundra RSL Sea Eagles