CASINO RSM COUGARS 2024 – WHAT’S OLD IS NEW

The Casino RSM Cougars are ushering in a new era with some new but old faces coming on board for the upcoming season. Long-time club legend Joe Maloney, who played a crucial role in steering the club through challenging times and putting it back on track, has opted to step back from official duties this season.

In response to this change, two new influential figures have assumed top roles within the committee. Renowned rugby league identity and Cougars junior, Trav Falls, will take on the role of President, while esteemed Cougars hard man and life member, Chris McGrath, will serve as Vice President.

While the new committee maintains a strong focus on achieving success on the field and returning the club to finals contention across all grades, it equally recognises the vital role the Cougars play in the community. President Trav Falls emphasises the commitment to making the club the pride of the community, with a particular emphasis on bringing back local juniors. He aims to strengthen the relationship with the junior club, ensuring a seamless transition for juniors into senior grades, fostering a sense of belonging. Falls admits this will be more straightforward, given the close relationship with the senior executive of the juniors. This is particularly evident with Kirk Hancock, who holds the positions of Juniors President and Life Member, and Juniors Senior Vice President Ben Birney, also serving as the U18 Coach. Both individuals have not only played football alongside Falls and McGrath, but have also been dedicated, long-term members of the Casino RSM junior and senior clubs.

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Casino RSM Cougars 2002

The collaboration with the juniors is set to flourish even more in 2024, thanks to the efforts of the Richmond Valley Council and additional contributions from Casino rugby league. Securing grant funding has paved the way for significant improvements, including fencing around the main fields, upgrades to the second field with underground irrigation and a new surface, and a $1.6 million enhancement to the club house facilities. The seniors will relocate to the junior fields, enhancing the connection between junior and senior players and fostering efficiency through shared facilities.

In another coup for the newly appointed President, Falls has expressed his enthusiasm in revealing that Brian Smith will be joining to aid in advancing coach education at the club for the international age groups. This underscores the dedication to improving the experience for players and coaches at the club. Smith, who attended school in Casino, plus played first grade for the club, before relocating to Sydney to pursue rugby league where he rose to coach at the elite level of the NRL. He is renowned for his expertise as a top-notch development coach and educator in fundamental aspects of the game.

President Trav Falls highlights the pivotal contribution of local businesses, notably the Casino RSM Club, major sponsor since 1966, whose ongoing support remains integral to the club’s achievements. This enduring partnership is widely recognised within the community and broader rugby league circles. Furthermore, collaborations with the Casino Food Co-op have added value to the team, introducing PNG players to Casino to complement the local talent pool. Falls expresses sincere appreciation for the invaluable support from the region’s largest employer, recognising its pivotal role in the club’s strategic long-term plans.

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