Burleigh Bears
The Burleigh Bears are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Gold Coast, Australia.[1] They compete in Queensland's top rugby league competition, the Queensland Cup.[2]
Club information | |
---|---|
Full name | Burleigh Heads Rugby League Football Club Ltd. |
Nickname(s) | The Bears |
Colours | Maroon White |
Founded | 1934 |
Website | burleighbearsrlfc.com |
Current details | |
Ground(s) |
|
CEO | Damian Driscoll |
Coach | Rick Stone |
Captain | Luke Page |
Competition | Queensland Cup |
2019 season | 3rd (Premiers) |
Records | |
Premierships | 4 (1999, 2004, 2016, 2019) |
Runners-up | 2 (2003, 2005) |
Minor premiership | 2 (2003, 2004) |
Most capped | 201 - Shane O'Flanagan |
Highest points scorer | 964 - Reggie Cressbrook |
Since their admission to the competition in 1997, the club has appeared in six Grand Finals, winning four (1999, 2004, 2016 and 2019) and won the minor premiership twice (2003 and 2004). The team's leagues club and home ground, Pizzey Park, are located in the Gold Coast suburb of Miami. They currently serve as one of the feeder clubs for the Gold Coast Titans.
History
Formed in 1934 by Bob Singh, originally based out of Rudd Park in Burleigh, the Bears relocated to Currumbin in 1959 after a nine-year cessation. In 1971, they relocated, this time to their current home, Pizzey Park, in Burleigh's neighbouring suburb of Miami.[3]
Originally, the Bears competed in the Gold Coast Group 18 competition, before they were admitted to the state's top competition, the Queensland Cup, in 1997. Rick Stone, coached the Bears for 13 seasons, leading them to two premierships, in 1999 and 2004, before returning to the club in 2020 after his predecessor, Jim Lenihan, was promoted to assistant coach of the Gold Coast Titans.[4]
The Bears have had an affiliation with the Titans since 2007. The Bears briefly became a feeder side to the Brisbane Broncos in 2008, before aligning back to the Titans in 2009. On 6 December 2019, it was revealed the Bears had extended their affiliation agreement with the Titans until the end of the 2022 season.[5]
Results
Queensland Cup
- 1997 - 4th
- 1998 - 8th
- 1999 - 3rd (Premiers)
- 2000 - 4th
- 2001 - 2nd
- 2002 - 4th
- 2003 - 1st (Runners-Up)
- 2004 - 1st (Premiers)
- 2005 - 3rd (Runners-Up)
- 2006 - 6th
- 2007 - 7th
- 2008 - 6th
- 2009 - 7th
- 2010 - 7th
- 2011 - 7th
- 2012 - 9th
- 2013 - 11th
- 2014 - 7th
- 2015 - 9th
- 2016 - 2nd (Premiers)
- 2017 - 10th
- 2018 - 2nd
- 2019 - 3rd (Premiers)
Players
2020 squad
First team squad | Coaching staff | ||||||||
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Head coach
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Honours
Records
Most Games for Club
- 201, Shane O'Flanagan
- 160, Ali Brown
- 146, Martin Griese
- 139, Ryan Gundry
- 135, Martin Apanui
Most Points for Club
- 964, Reggie Cressbrook
- 761, Nick Parfitt
- 660, Jamal Fogarty
- 486, Greg Bourke
- 276, Trent Purdon
Most Tries for Club
- 69, Reggie Cressbrook
- 69, Trent Purdon
- 66, Aseri Laing
- 61, Nick Shaw
- 59, Aaron Douglas