Page 87 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

WIDE BAY
Twenty-twelve saw the return of the Brisbane Lions to the region for the Australia Post AFL Community Camp. It was a fantastic couple of days of clinics, functions and events that invigorated the local football community. The highlight was over 1000 school students watching the Lions, AFL ambassadors and local players engaging in a friendly game of AFL 9s.
The local season kicked off with both junior leagues having full committees for the first time in a couple of years but the senior league is still chasing volunteers to assist in growing the local competition. Mid-year reunions for both the Hervey Bay Bombers (35 years) and Brothers Bulldogs (40 years) were great successes with many past players and supporters returning for the events.
The Under 16 girls attendance at the first State Schoolgirls Carnival (and finishing 3rd!) and two local boys making the State Under 15’s team were the highlights of the representative calendar. The senior team had a much more focused and supported approach but still struggled under the might of the Capricornia team - a common scenario for a number of years but one we hope to amend in the not too distant future.
The development calendar saw carnivals held in Rugby League’s North Burnett heartland for the first time, as well as the highest number of players ever to financially commit to a summer training program; surely our greatest sign of things moving forward in the region.
Hervey Bay Bombers completed an undefeated season in the A grade. It seemed like a battle for second would be the biggest interest in the competition but a brave effort by the Waves in the final saw them almost snatch the cup from the Bombers trophy
cabinet. In encouraging signs, Maryborough Bears returned to the finals for the first time in over a decade! It was also great to see Bay Power take the silverware in the Under 15’s, their first trophy at any level in the history of the club.
The end of the year saw some positive growth in the Agnes Waters area with the possibility of a new junior side. A Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant not only saw Agnes SS get a set of goal posts to support the growth, but also a dozen other schools having those odd sticks protrude from the ground!
Bundaberg junior president, Steve Barlow was named AFL Queensland’s Volunteer of the Year and as part of his award, he and wife Tina were given tickets to the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final, with Steve marching in the Grand Final parade through Melbourne.
With our focus on developing female football, new facilities and a potential game in Childers for 2013, we can’t wait for the New Year to bring us the excitement of the red leather again!
ROB SEARLE
WIDE BAY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
AFL Queensland
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