When something like Covid-19 hits the world of sport it is easily to sink into a very depressed and negative frame of mind. It is then that the positive thinkers and doers, come to the fore front. They are the ones that, being fully aware of the situation, take a firm attitude and begin to plan for the future.
Regardless of the present situation, if we fail to plan, then we plan to fail.
Happy to say a number of our clubs have some of these people on board and their positive attitudes are showing. One such club is the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union. It was back in the early 1980s, over a cold glass of beer at the Noosa Heads Surf Club, that a small group of men with the positive attitude required to build a club, came into being. They took the necessary steps: formed and named the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club; the rest is now history.
When you talk to the Noosa club President Donald McKill, Head Coach Michael Phelan and forward coach Josh Mason, it becomes quite obvious the necessary positive attitude is alive, and very active. “We have come through the last few months in a very successful state of mind. Our supporters and sponsors have stood by us and we have made vast improvements in all aspects of our club life. We built a new modern gymnasium and equipment shed, a new electronic score board, new camera and security lighting system, updated our canteen by installing Keliher kitchen equipment and also obtained a new ride on mower. A major part of our pre season work, has been the support of our Old Boys: with people such as life member Max Gunthorpe, leading the drive, this team has become a very important part of our structure.
However most important of all, the starting dates for our competition have been set: this will not only get our players back on the paddock, but also bring the families and supporters back to Dolphin Park. I sincerely thank all who have helped during these months of turmoil.”
But now, the man in the hot seat would have to be head coach, Michael Phelan: to get all players back onto the paddock, settled into their teams and training programs (all done with the ever- present regulations still in place and strictly enforced in the club) will not be easy. “We are very confident; we have a good coaching panel of five and the players necessary to fill our four teams (in the senior division), the A’s, Reserves, Colts and Ladies.”
For the ladies this season will be a big step forward. For the first time they will play a full team of 15, whereas in previous seasons, their competition has only been for 7player teams. “The overall competition for our district,” said the coach, “will see a total of 6 teams in A grade, 10 in reserve, 6 in the colts(u/19s) and 6 in the girls. With regards to the A’s we see Caloundra as our toughest competition. However, for us the big news is that the starting dates have been announced. Our first game will be August 1, at Maroochydore, vs Maroochydore and our first home game will be the following Saturday, August 8, Dolphin Park. The other important date, our annual trip to New Zealand for our u/15 team, is still uncertain; this will of course rest with the appropriate authority.”
Life for coach Phelan, started 56 years ago, in the township of Allora in the Southern Downs Region of Queensland. His education commenced at the local state school where he studied until year 10; following this, he spent his final years 11/12, at Downlands College Toowoomba: it was here that he got his first serious taste of rugby union, playing in the centres for the college. On graduation, at age 17, he immediately entered the Police Academy in Brisbane and on completing his basic training, received his first posting; this was to keep him in Brisbane for a further twelve months. His next move was to Mt Isa, a town that he was to call home for the next eight years.
“The attitude up there to football was real country stuff: you played union on Saturday and rugby league on Sunday and that was the thing to do: the two different codes, on the two consecutive days. The way the games are played now it would be absolutely impossible.”
It was in 1992, that Michael arrived in Noosa. On doing so he immediately joined the Dolphins and continued in the game, playing in the backs. After retiring in 1997, he took his first coaching job with Dolphins Colts (u/19s) team. In 1999 he moved up to coach the reserves with Shane Teah, a former Kiwi player. Then in 2001-2004 he coached the A’s and 2005–2006, dropped back to work as coach of Colts, at the same time playing several games for the Reserves. The year 2007, saw him return to the A’s.
Standing next to the head coach this year as an assistant, will be the A’s forward coach, Josh Mason. In this his fifth year as a coach, it will be his first season working at the higher level; and he adds with a big smile, “’It really is a challenge, but it is something I am looking forward to.” Born in Brisbane and raised in Rainbow Beach, he, like his head coach, spent some years as a student at Downlands and there played rugby for his college. Then as a career choice, in 2007, he also joined the ranks of the Queensland Police.
In his first posting he was stationed at Proserpine and in another similarity with his head coach, he played both codes, union and league. In 2013, he came to Noosa, immediately joined Dolphins and started coaching the reserves: despite a transfer to Maroochydore, he stayed loyal to the Dolphins. In both careers we wish him well.
This Friday afternoon, starting at 3.30pm at the Dolphins clubhouse, the Dolphins will host their sponsors to a seasons relaunch; local VIPs will be in attendance. Next week Noosa Today will talk with Zoe Griffon, Junior President of the famous Noosa Dolphins
