A UNIFIED club spirit and collegiate atmosphere has helped secure finals berths for seven Beerwah Bulldogs teams including the undefeated Men’s A-Grade side.
The Men’s squad are now heavy favourites to go one better than 2022 when they fell agonisingly short in the grand final to the Maroochydore Swans.
And they are joined by the Women’s Open Side, who finished in fourth as well as the Reserve Grade side who placed third.
Club president, Ref Hammil, said he was immensely proud of the club, from players to coaches, parents and supporters.
He said a different approach to coaching along with a genuine push to make the club a family-friendly environment had helped bring teams together.
“We’ve allowed the coaches to coach the way they want to, they aren’t micromanaged, and the club is really unified as well,” he said.
“From A Grade down to C Grade and even 17s is they get to train together, so they are getting an understanding of the system and the unification of those teams and the club.” A recent training session even had the Women vs Men in a practice game.
“All of the senior teams at every training session warm up together, and then go into their own team training,” Ref said.
“The togetherness of the club has grown.”
The A-Grade Men’s side finished their regular season with a 38-24 win over the Swans, giving the team their first ever undefeated regular season result.
A Grade Men’s coach, Brett Hill, credited the success of the team to their teamwork.
“Everyone puts in for each other, there’s no superstars, no one is bigger than the team,” he said.
“It’s surreal, we are happy we have achieved (being undefeated) but the job is not finished yet, it’s like a different competition has started now.”
A Grade winger Samuel Fullerton was the regular season top try scorer with 14 tries, followed by teammates James Hill (10) and Daniel Marjanovic (9).
Halfback Mathew Kidd was the competition’s top regular season point scorer with 166 points.
The team’s highest win for the year 70-0 came against the Nambour Crushers in round 15, however they also had big performances against the Caloundra Sharks in round 14 (70-6) and the Noosa Pirates in round 17 (60-10).
The Open Women’s team has made the finals again this year sitting on fourth place after a bye last weekend, equalling their 2022 result.
Reegan Hicks, who debuted for the Open Women’s side at just 16-years-old, was the top try scorer in the competition with 15 tries, which included a record-equalling seven tries on debut.
She was also the fifth top point scorer on 62 points, with teammate Courtney Lockwood, who has 56 points.
Beerwah hooker Jordan Jackson was the fifth top try scorer in the competition.
The team’s best result was against the Gympie Devils in round 13 (60-10), but they also had great wins against the Noosa Pirates in round 3 (42-6) and the Nambour Crushers in round 15 (42-0).
Reserve Bulldogs five-eighth James Poole was the third highest point scorer in the reserve competition with 118 points.
Ref said he was thrilled with the club’s overall results this year, with one more team making it to finals compared to last year.
Junior vice president, Doug Savins, said the club’s new committee this year had contributed to the club’s success.
“The new committee had loads to do when they started, and we have worked hard to get everything done,” he said.
“As a club from the top to the bottom its been managed well, and it shows with the success of our teams on the field.”
Ref said his vision for a more family-friendly football environment had definitely taken shape this season.
“I’ve noticed more families have come to watch games this season, we’ve worked hard to make a family environment, so you’re able to bring your kids down,” he said.
A-Grade Mens play in Beerwah on Saturday August 26 at 6pm. The Women’s side play in Noosa on the same day at 4:30pm.
Main image: Club president, Ref Hammil and Treasurer, Leigh Rowlands.