HE has been described as someone with a “cool head” and “humour that lightens the mood of everyone he speaks with”.
Chatting to dedicated Rosewood Roosters club president Shane Brandley, those qualities quickly become evident.
During his 11-year leadership stint at the club, Brandley has put enjoyment ahead of winning in junior footy and promoted strong bonds in the older age groups and senior rugby league.
They are among the main reasons he received deserved recognition in last season’s Rugby League Ipswich (RLI) awards. Brandley was honoured for his “outstanding contribution to rugby league in Ipswich”, which included his president’s work and being a dependable duty official during last year’s finals.
In 2021, he received the RLI Volunteer of the Year award.
Reflecting on those achievements, the humble official said it was a “privilege.”
“I’m not out there looking for those sort of accolades or anything,” he said.
However, Brandley remains as focused as ever on looking after the Roosters juniors and helping the club’s revitalised C-Grade senior team.
Preparing for a new junior RLI season kicking off on March 18, Brandley shares his junior philosophy.
“There’s too much [where] people want to go back to the old ways of [under] sixes to tens playing for points and stuff like that,” he said.
“Let them enjoy themselves. There’s plenty of time [in older age groups] to be competitive.”
Brandley is concerned about the “winning is everything” approach pushed in some school teams.
“We’re not like that. I make sure that our coaches have that same mentality that everyone gets a game no matter what,” Brandley said.
He said it was important that kids of all skill levels were made feel part of the team.
Another of the president’s goals is nurturing high parent standards at games.
“There’s so many people out there that don’t understand the rules and the regulations on behaviour,” Brandley said.
He said coaches didn’t need the extra pressure from shouting spectators on the sideline, especially mentors trying to help teenagers keep a level head in tight game situations.
Brandley grew up in Mount Walker before later settling in the Rosewood community.
“We’re there for each other and it’s welcoming to anybody,” he said, answering what he likes most about the Roosters.
Brandley was hoping to receive a boost in participation numbers from a Queensland Rugby League Roads to Regions session scheduled for Anzac Park on February 14 before it was called off due to the afternoon storm.
“It’s a massive disappointment,” he said. “We’d love an influx of junior kids.”
Brandley was looking for more young players from Walloon, Marburg and Ipswich to share in what the Roosters have developed since establishing a strong base at Anzac Park in 1996.
He was waiting to see nominations for under-6 to under-16 teams.
The club president said the Roosters were unlikely to field a side in the revamped RLI under-18 competition.
However, he was upbeat about the terrific pre-season efforts of the Roosters’ C-Grade side playing in the 2023 Volunteers Cup competition.
A squad has been training together since before Christmas, working with new coach and former player Scott McTaggart.
The senior squad has a trial planned against Beechmont on March 4 leading up to their season kick off after Easter.
“They have been really excellent pre-season the way they have carried themselves, the way they are encouraging each other,” Brandley said. “It’s a real positive attitude.”
