By Mark Campbell

When people from all around Australia (and the world for that matter) think of the Sunshine Coast, images of its beautiful golden sandy beaches, the wonderful
waves and the blissful sun may come to the fore.

However, that is not the only good thing going for an area that many locals and visitors consider “Heaven on Earth”. What tourists and some locals might not realise is that this weekend – the next instalment of the Sunshine Coast Rugby League season begins.

The sport of rugby league has held a prominent place on the Sunshine Coast
since the clubs transitioned from playing rugby union to league in the early
1920s.

As such, tribalism between the competing clubs continued as the teams
challenged to be the dominant side of the new code in the region.

As it was then, the Sunshine Coast consisted of a spattering of small coastal and hinterland towns that remained separated by the natural wonders that abounded in the area.

Naturally, times have changed, clubs have come, gone, merged and the region
itself has experienced a growth in population, a surge in transportation and
communication links allowing the region to be more connected than ever.

Despite the transformation of the region, the natural wonders of the area remain and so does the tribalism that runs through the veins of the competing rugby league clubs.

So, as we head into the 2024 season there are a number of teams battling for
supremacy.

Clubs will compete in a range of competitions: Firsts, Reserves,
Under 19s, C Grade and along with the women’s game; the region has plenty of
entertainment to offer the public.

To begin with, First-Grade looks to be hotly contested yet again. The competition
will be no walk in the park.

If last year’s final series and Grand Final is anything to go by, the winners in 2024 will be determined by the side that shows up on the day and performs to their best.

Quite simply, failure to do so will result in defeat and leave bragging rights to the victors.

Although the Beerwah Bulldogs may have been the dominant team in 2023, none
of the other clubs will be willing to give an inch in their pursuit of victory.

The Kawana Dolphins, Noosa Pirates and the Maroochydore Swans were all so close at the business end of last year and will have planned and prepared their campaign to conclude at the final dance.

Still, like last season, there will be no easy beats and the Caboolture Snakes, Caloundra Sharks, Coolum Colts and the Nambour Crushers will aim to improve and rattle the cages of the other sides.

On top of this, the Stanley River Wolves will be an addition to the 2024 season
campaign.

Their inclusion could unsettle a few of the other clubs and add a level
of unpredictability which makes the game so much more exciting. In essence, the
First-Grade season is wide open and all that is needed from the players of each
club is to go out there and rip in.

If they do, then they may find themselves with
their fans celebrating at the season’s end.

In addition to First-Grade, the Bribie Island Warrigals and the Gympie Devils will
compete in the reserve grade competition.

Bribie Island will be seeking to assert its domination once more, while Gympie will be aiming to improve on the 2023 campaign.

Still, reserve grade is a mirror of First Grade – in that the team that shows up with the right attitude is likely to get the points.

Furthermore, the quality of playing talent on display in reserve grade only signals a positive outlook for the local competition as players across all clubs will strive to play in the top tier.

Hence, there should be some cracking footy ahead.

In the C Grade competition, the Beachmere Pelicans, Kilcoy Yowies, Mary Valley
Stags, Palmwood Devils and the Yandina Raiders will do battle with Beerwah,
Caloundra and Noosa for domination.

In fact, this public level of competition could be the most enjoyable to watch as the players go out to show off their skill, and to create memories that they will without a shadow of a doubt brag about for years to come.

Additionally, if it is the junior pathway element of the game that you enjoy and the idea of finding a future gem – then many of the clubs will boast an Under 19s
side.

Finally, if you were too impatient to wait for the men’s game to kick off, then you
would have caught the first two rounds of the women’s season which has already
started.

Six teams are vying for this year’s championship – Beerwah, Caboolture,
Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore and Noosa.

So far, the games have provided the audience with plenty of thrills, skills, hits and razzle and dazzle.

What is clear, with so many clubs and so many levels of the game presented, the
Sunshine Coast Rugby League offers something for everyone.

So, if you find yourself in the local area and you do not have much to do, then get out and support your team or any team for that matter.

You will not be disappointed!

Season Kick Off: This Saturday, 6th of April – check your nearest club for details.

The clubs and the grades of competition that they are participating in are listed
below:

Sunshine Beach Rugby League

Clubs Competitions for 2024
1 Beachmere Pelicans C Grade only
2 Beerwah Bulldogs Firsts, Reserves, Under 19s, C Grade and women’s
3 Bribie Island Warrigals Reserves and Under 19s
4 Caboolture Snakes Firsts, Reserves, Under 19s and women’s
5 Caloundra Sharks Firsts, Reserves, Under 19s, C Grade and women’s
6 Coolum Colts Firsts, Reserves and Under 19s
7 Gympie Devils Reserves and Under 19s
8 Kawana Dolphins Firsts, Reserves, Under 19s and women’s
9 Kilcoy Yowies C Grade only
10 Maroochydore Swans Firsts, Reserves, (19s with Nambour) and women’s
11 Mary Valley Stags C grade only
12 Nambour Crushers Firsts, Reserves (19s with Maroochydore) and Women’s 13 Noosa Pirates Firsts, Reserves, C Grade and women’s
14 Palmwood Devils C Grade only
15 Stanley River Wolves Firsts and Reserves
16 Yandina Raiders C Grade only