Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Ipswich Times - With the seven-a-side hors d'oeuvres and City v Country entree served, it is time for the main course. The 2009 Ipswich Rugby League (IRL) season kicks off this weekend.

New IRL chairman Jack Rhea is optimistic it will be better fought than in recent years.

“I think it is going to be closer than it has been,” Rhea said.

Brothers and Goodna will again be the teams to beat and expect fireworks when they clash at Raceview on Sunday.

How coaches and players gel and who avoids injuries could decide whether the likes of Swifts, Norths and West End can match the big two.

Rhea hopes the country sides can be more than competitive and has made it his goal to ensure they eventually are.

“Fassifern might struggle for the first few weeks,” Rhea said.

Until they hopefully get their Fijian contingent back, that is.

“It will be a tragedy if they don't get them,” Rhea said.

Rhea has offered the IRL's support to clear the Fassifern Fijians with customs.

“Any way we can help we will,” Rhea said.

He is also determined to help Laidley field teams again in the near future.

Rhea admitted having a South Burnett first grade team in the competition without a Reserve team this season was a dangerous precedent.

However, it was better than not having the Bushrangers in the competition.

“If we didn't go that way what's it going to do for footy in the South Burnett,” he said.

“Hopefully we can help the area become stronger.

“The difference those blokes made to the Country side was phenomenal.”

Asked what he hoped to get from the season, Rhea said: “No whingeing and moaning from clubs.”