2025 Annual_Report_Burleigh Bears Group

MANAGEMENTCOMMITTEE.

RUGBYLEAGUECOMMITTEE.

RUGBYLEAGUESTAFF.

LIFEMEMBERS.

Andrew MCCARRON

Bill ROSS

Bob SINGH + Brian SWADDLING + Joe TANGATA-TOA

Keith KENNEDY

Laurie OAR

Lawrie PHILLIPS

Marie & Neville ROWLAND + Michael EVANS

Paul KHAN

Peter GALLAGHER + Peter SHAW

Ray MCCARRON + Stephen FIELD

Wayne HOMER

FOUNDATIONMEMBERS.

Bob SINGH + Carley PHILLIPS

Eileen & Peter GALLAGHER +

Gene & Pat HAWKINS + Glenda PEARSON

Jill PHILLIPS

Lawrie PHILLIPS

Linda BOHMER

Pat & Yvonne KELLY + Ray & Carol MCCARRON +

Rodney SALAN

Thomas BIRMINGHAM

Wayne & Glenda PEARSON

BRICKMEMBERS.

Andrew MCCARRON

Bruce LANG ESM

Carl GLOWASKI

Danielle WOHLING

David ROYLE

Frank BALKIN

Greg LINDORES

Ian AMOS

Justin CHRISTIE

Mark CONLON

Mark WILSON

Michael TOOMEY

Mick HEERY

Mick REARDON

Peter SCARLETT

Robbie DAY

Robert PURVIS

Robert TAYLOR

Rod ANDERSON

Rodney WALSH

Ron STROHFELDT

Ruth OAR

Sean GREGORY

Shane KACHEL

Shane REAY

Shane TAYLOR

Steve FOSTER

Wayne SPELLEKEN

LAURIE OAR. President Report

2025 would have to be the most successful year the Bears have had in our 100 plus years both on the field and in our commercial operations. These achievements would not be possible without the combined efforts of the hundreds of people involved in all aspects of the club. Thank you to all contributors and I hope you take pride in what you have helped achieve.

Our record trading figures are something all our dedicated staff, astutely lead by General Manager Daniel Brunt and assistant Daniel Hearn, should be proud of. I am sure treasurer Bill Ross will enjoy presenting our financials in detail.

Special thanks to our Rugby Leagues Club committee headed by Paul Khan. Our wide scale success on the field is a compliment to both your committees’ efforts, and those of all our Rugby League staff headed by Damian Driscoll and Luke Burt.

Thanks once again to my fellow Leagues Club Committee. There have been some big decisions to make in recent years, and your input has been invaluable.

In closing, I would like to pass on our deepest sympathy to Eileen Gallagher and her family following the recent passing of Life Member Peter. Peter, with Eileen beside him, devoted himself to Burleigh Bears for many decades. Peter was very much one of the bricks upon which Burleigh Bears has been built. Vale Peter Gallagher.

Treasurer’s Report 2025

BILL ROSS. Treasurer Report

The 2025 financial year has been another outstanding one for the Club, marked by continued growth and strong performance across all areas of the business. Both the Burleigh Leagues Club and Burleigh Sports Club have maintained their positive momentum, supported by consistent patronage and operational focus throughout the year.

The Club achieved record revenue of $30.7 million, up from last year’s $27.6 million. Net profit after all expenses reached $4.55 million, reflecting another year of disciplined financial management and strategic investment in our clubs. Net assets grew to $20.8 million, highlighting the ongoing strength of our financial position and the hard work that has gone into building a secure foundation for the future.

During the year, we continued upgrading our facilities, investing $2.6 million in new bathroom facilities for members, upgraded storage areas at the Leagues Club and a new administration office. These upgrades were completed using existing cash reserves and no borrowings were required.

These results highlight the Club’s continued commitment to growth, reinvestment and long-term sustainability. I would like to thank the Management Committee, staff and members for their ongoing support and dedication throughout the year.

DANIEL BRUNT. Group General Manager

I’m pleased to present this year’s annual report, reflecting another strong year for Burleigh Leagues Club, Burleigh Sports Club and the Premiershipwinning Burleigh Bears!

Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen major projects come to life. The upgrades to the bathroom facilities at both Burleigh Leagues & Burleigh Sports are now complete, delivering a much-improved experience for members and guests. We’ve also completed some overdue back-of-house improvements including a new administration office and an upgraded beverage storeroom. The expansion of the gaming room at Burleigh Leagues Club has been another highlight, giving members a more comfortable and modern environment to enjoy.

As this report goes to print, work is already well underway on one of our most exciting projects yet –the construction of a level 2 function & events space. This will be a game-changer for the Club, providing a long-overdue, state-of-the-art space for events, conferences, celebrations and premium game-day viewing. We look forward to opening this facility in 2026 and showcasing what it will bring to our members and the wider community.

On the financial front, the Club has delivered another very strong result. Total group revenue surpassed $30 million, with a net profit of $4.5 million. This result continues to show the strength and stability of our operations and positions us well for the years ahead.

The club remains committed to reducing its environmental footprint. This year, we installed a 100 kW solar system at Burleigh Sports Club, reducing carbon emissions by up to an estimated 130 tonnes per year. This adds to the existing 100 kW solar system that has been generating renewable energy for Burleigh Leagues Club for over a decade. We continue to review our operations to identify opportunities to further reduce waste, water consumption and electricity usage across all venues.

After more than 15 years, our management agreement with the Gold Coast Lawn Bowls Club has now come to an end. This long-standing partnership has been a positive chapter in our history, providing

an opportunity for us to support local sport and strengthen community connections. We’re proud of what’s been achieved together and wish the club every success as it moves forward. The end of this agreement allows us to refocus our attention on new opportunities within our own venues and the exciting developments ahead.

I want to thank the Management Committee Laurie, Bill, Wayne, Mick and Frank, for their guidance, support and commitment in their volunteer roles. I also acknowledge Group Operations Manager Daniel Hearn, Venue Managers Riley & Lisa and the entire management team for their leadership and commitment across all operations.

Congratulations Paul, Damian and the entire football department on delivering top tier football programs across all grades & competitions and bringing home the premiership in the Hostplus Cup (Q Cup).

To our staff, thank you for your tireless efforts in delivering the highest standard of hospitality to our 32,000 members. Your professionalism, energy and care create the atmosphere our clubs are known for, and without you none of our success would be possible. To our members, thank you for your loyalty and support, which allows us to keep building a stronger, more sustainable future for the Burleigh Bears.

Players

PAUL KHAN. Chairman

The 2025 season will be remembered as one of the most successful in the proud history of the Burleigh Bears Rugby League Football Club. I could not be prouder of what our club has achieved — with all grades qualifying for Grand Finals, securing three Premierships along the way, and culminating in the ultimate prize: the 2025 Queensland Cup Premiership.

Congratulations to every player who proudly wore a Bears jersey this season. From our local Under 18s through to the Queensland Cup, each of you contributed to an exceptional year for the club. Our success is a reflection of the quality, talent, and character of our playing group. We wish those players moving on to new opportunities all the very best, and we look forward to welcoming everyone else back for an even stronger 2026 campaign.

Coaching and Football Staff

Congratulations to Luke Burt, Queensland Cup Premiership-winning coach, on a remarkable achievement. I extend sincere thanks to all Bears staff across every level of the club for their dedication and professionalism throughout the season.

In 2025, the Burleigh Bears became the first club to win three Queensland Major Competition Premierships, a record which speaks volumes of the commitment of our coaches, trainers, strappers, managers, medical staff, and administration team. Your efforts have set a benchmark for excellence across Queensland Rugby League.

Sponsors

The continued growth and success of the Bears would not be possible without the outstanding support of our sponsors. We are extremely fortunate to have over 90 individual sponsors supporting the club.

A special acknowledgement goes to UAA, our Major Naming Rights Sponsor. Your partnership and belief in the Bears are invaluable, and we look forward to continuing this successful relationship in the years ahead.

Supporters and Partners

To our loyal supporters and partners, thank you for your unwavering commitment throughout what has been a long but memorable season. Your passion,

energy, and encouragement mean so much to the players and the club. We look forward to creating even more memories together in 2026.

Administration Team

Off the field, the club has again performed exceptionally, finishing the financial year under budget and maintaining a strong and healthy balance sheet.

I wish to commend CEO Damian Driscoll and the entire administration staff for their outstanding efforts in managing the day-to-day operations of the club. Your hard work ensures the Bears continue to thrive both on and off the field.

Leagues Club Staff and Management Committee

To Laurie, Bill, Wayne, Frank, Mick, and to Leagues Club General Manager Daniel and his staff, thank you for your continued support and close cooperation with the Rugby League arm of the organisation.

The Leagues Club provides the vital foundation that enables the Bears to compete at the highest level. We are extremely fortunate to have such a stable and experienced governance team in place, and we look forward to many more successful seasons ahead, including the exciting new club extensions currently underway.

Rugby League Committee

Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to my fellow Rugby League Committee members — Craig, Matt, Jamie, and Scott — for their selfless contribution, commitment, and teamwork throughout the year. Your dedication continues to underpin the success of this great club.

As much as things change, some things remain the same — and 2025 was undoubtedly one of the finest years in our history.

Here’s to another successful year ahead — and to achieving 9/9 in 2026.

PAUL “RUSTY” KHAN Chairman

JORDY DWYER. BMD Premiership Head Coach

This season marked a significant shift in the BMD Premiership landscape, with the competition aligning more closely with the NRLW. For us, this brought a wave of new opportunity, and a whole new look.

Our 2025 squad featured a predominantly new group of players: those stepping up from local A Grade competitions, a handful of established BMD performers, talented recruits from New Zealand and country NSW, and graduates of our Under-19s program, all supported by an entirely new staff team.

A cornerstone of our success was our senior leadership group, led superbly by Teaghan Hartigan and Kaitlyn Phillips, who set the tone on and off the field. Their leadership was complemented by Zara Canfield, Moana Cook, and Barbra Auva’a, whose standards and professionalism guided our younger players and created genuine connection across the squad.

Season Highlights

Several Harvey Norman U19s players made the step up: Bella Thompson, Bri Toopi, Eta Sikahele, Ata Te Hokowhitu-Wynne, Elizabeth Ngahe, and Sienna Norris.

Lily Patston and Jasmin Morrissey earned their NRLW debuts, while Deleni Paitai represented the Australian Schoolgirls and was in contention for Rookie of the Year.

Standout performances came in our wins against Norths, Northern Pride, and Souths Logan, where the team’s resilience, spirit, and fight were on full display despite facing plenty of adversity.

While the season didn’t finish the way we’d hoped in the grand final, it was a campaign to be proud of, one that laid a strong foundation for continued growth and success heading into 2026 and beyond.

A huge thank you to every player who represented the Bears this year. The way you trained, competed, and supported one another set a new standard for what it means to wear the jersey. Your resilience, commitment, and pride in our colours are what make this club special.

Finally, a massive thank you to our staff, the work you did behind the scenes was incredible and never went unnoticed.

JORDY DWYER

Club Champions — recognition of Burleigh as Queensland’s most successful statewide Rugby League Club. The Club also created history in 2025 by securing Premierships across all three men’s statewide competitions, a first for Burleigh and the QRL Competitions and a testament to the quality of our football program from top to bottom.

Congratulations to coach Luke Burt and his team on securing the Burleigh Bears its fifth Hostplus Cup title. The team finished the regular season as Minor Premiers (for the third time in four years) and went on to defeat Norths Devils 22-8 in the Grand Final. While

DAMIA N DRISCOLL. Chief Executive Officer

The 2025 season will be remembered as one of the greatest in the history of the Burleigh Heads Rugby League Football Club. Across our nine senior teams, we featured in seven Grand Finals, claimed three Premierships, secured the Gold Coast Club Championship, and for the third consecutive year, were crowned State

we were unsuccessful in our quest to win the National State Championship on NRL Grand Final day, nothing could take away from an incredible season from the team.

Our BMD Premiership women’s team also enjoyed an exceptional campaign, reaching the Grand Final. It was a credit to coach Jordy Dwyer in his inaugural year as BMD coach that he was able to mould a new squad into a premiership contender.

Our Pathways Program, under the direction of Roy Leoni, continues to go from strength to strength. Both the Mal Meninga Cup (U19) and

Cyril Connell Cup (U17) teams were crowned State Champions this year . Our female pathways teams also produced competitive seasons, narrowly missing the finals. These results are a reflection of the strength of our junior development system.

At a local level, all three Rugby League Gold Coast senior teams proudly represented the Club, with each qualifying for their respective Grand Finals and collectively securing the RLGC Senior Club Championship. Both Reserve Grade and A Grade claimed Minor Premierships, with Matt Foster’s A Grade side going through the regular season undefeated before falling narrowly in the Grand Final to Tugun.

Off the field, the Bears continued to make a meaningful impact within the community, supporting a number of local charities and initiatives throughout the year. The Annual Ladies Charity Lunch once again stood out as a highlight of the social calendar, this year raising funds for Baby Give Back.

Our success on and off the field is built on the hard work and professionalism of our Rugby League administration team of Matt Robinson, Roy Leoni, Troy Anstiss, Tanya Martin, Jodie Berkers, and John Haviland. Their contribution is instrumental to the Club’s continued success. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Paul Khan, Laurie Oar, Daniel Brunt, and the Management and Rugby League Committees for their unwavering support. Their leadership and support enables the Club to provide the structure and environment that allows our players and coaches to perform at their best.

Finally, I want to acknowledge and thank all players, coaches, and staff moving on from the Bears. Your contribution to our success will always be valued. For those returning in 2026, we look forward to building on this remarkable year and continuing to set the benchmark for rugby league excellence in Queensland.

Regards,

DAMIAN DRISCOLL

LUK E BURT. Head Coach

HEAD COACHES REPORT 2025

I feel very privileged to be in the position to write the Rugby League report on behalf of our coaches and support staff at the Burleigh Bears Rugby League Football Club.

Season 2025 has again been a successful one with Bears teams playing finals footy. I’d like to congratulate all teams who worked tirelessly in 2025 for the Bears – Jordy and the BMD Women’s team, Kenny and the 19’s Women’s team, Dave and the 17’s Women’s team, Will and the MM team, Geoff and the CC team, Matt and the A Grade team, Jason and the Reserve Grade Team and Chris and the 20’s team, plus all the support staff that helped with these teams, thank you for your time and commitment this season. It doesn’t go unnoticed. On the back of the above efforts, we won our third consecutive QRL Major Competition Club Championship and won the Gold Coast Senior Club Championship.

Our Hostplus Cup season, what a season! The commitment to training and buying into what the staff were implementing, we couldn’t ask for anything more. We built into the season nicely and felt we played our best footy at the right time of the year. After a narrow loss in Round 13 against the Blackhawks we would finish the year off by winning 11 of our next 12 games. By winning the final round against the Falcons we sealed the Minor Premiership. This finals series was one of the best I’ve been apart of, firstly beating Wynnum in week 1 of the finals in a tough, physical match which gave us a week off before meeting the Dolphins in the Preliminary Final. Down 16-6 with 7min remaining we found a way to score two late converted tries to win 18-16 and book a place in the Grand Final. Grand Final day was close to our best performance of the 2025 season, restricting the Devils to one try on the back of some great defensive efforts and then taking our opportunities in attack to go on to win 22-8. What a day, I won’t forget it. Following the Grand Final, we went onto the National Final and didn’t get the result we wanted but we couldn’t be any prouder of the effort the team put in, right up until the final siren. Looking forward to backing up and going again in 2026.

Individuals were rewarded for their great seasons at the QRL Awards and Burleigh Bears Awards night. Sam Coster for a fourth year in a row was named in the Hostplus Cup Team of the year alongside our little general Guy Hamilton. Sam also won the Burleigh Bears Best and Fairest for the second year in a row at our Bears Awards Night. Matt Koellner won the Best Forward after a breakout season leading our pack. Troy Leo won the Coaches Award as well as the Players Player Award which he shared with Adam Christensen. Takitau Mapapalangi was the Rookie of the Year after a great season with some huge performances off the bench.

In 2025, several individuals achieved significant milestones: Josh Rogers played his 100th game for the Bears which was the Grand Final, as well as passing 1000 points in the Q Cup. Matt Koellner reached 50 Queensland Cup games for the Bears with Kea Pere reaching 100 Queensland Cup games. Congratulations to the boys for these outstanding achievements.

A huge thank you to coaches Michael Witt, Clay Harris, Matthew Foster and Craig Hodges who brought passion and innervation to our football program. To Klinton Hoare, Lincoln Shrubb and Georgia Askew our High-Performance Staff who took our squad to another level in 2025, thank you. Thank you to our trainers Colin Hooker, Adrian Van Der Stok and Sean Stockholm, Team Managers Jodie Berkers and Luke Richardson, Doctor Nicci Drew, Physios Josh Noble and Jordan Franic-Smith all added total professionalism to our team all year.

In the QRL Major Competitions, our Mal Meninga squad had a great season finishing fourth on the table in the regular season and then playing some entertaining footy in the finals to make it to the big dance and going on to win the Grand Final against the Dolphins. It was an outstanding performance and a great reward for players and staff.

The Cyril Connell team had a great year finishing the year as Minor Premiers and going on to win the Grand Final against the Cutters. Another outstanding performance from Players and Staff and showing the strength of our Pathways here at the Bears.

In the Rugby League Gold Coast competitions our A Grade team led by Head Coach Matthew Foster had a great year, going undefeated and finishing as Minor Premiers but unfortunately going down in the Grand Final. It was a great season as we blooded many young and new players at the Bears. Mitch Watson who missed the Grand Final due to playing Cup Finals was awarded with the A Grade Best and Fairest. He was well supported by Jordan Scott who was named Players Player, Matt Egan who won the Coaches Award and Ryan Jones who won the Best Forward.

Our RLGC DLC squad led by Jason Bradfield had a great year finishing the season as Minor Premiers but unfortunately went down narrowly in the Grand Final. The RLGC under 20’s team under the coaching of Chris Kowaltzke had a great year as well finishing second in the regular season and going down narrowly in the Grand Final. Congratulations and thank you to both Jason and Chris along with the staff and players on great seasons.

Congratulations to our three female teams who once again had successful campaigns. Unfortunately, the BMD squad just fell short in the Grand Final. However, the development and progression across all three grades was outstanding. Congratulations and thank you to Jordy, Kenny and Dave plus all their staff and players that represented the Bears in 2025.

To the coaches, medical staff, all the support staff and families that allow everyone to contribute to the Burleigh Bears Club, we thank you for the commitment and passion you show every week and hope you will be back again in 2026. Thanks to Laurie Oar, our management committee, club President Paul Khan, and the football board for their unwavering support of the football program. Thank you to GM of the Leagues Club Daniel Brunt who’s support for our Rugby League program is outstanding. A huge thank you to Damian Driscoll and the football operations team for their support and hours of commitment, all the above achievements wouldn’t be possible without all your contributions.

Truly a season I will never forget and I can’t thank everyone involved enough for the best season, best people and experiences in 2025. Proud to be a Bear!

Thanks,

LUKE BURT

OURTEAMS.

COMMUNITYOVERVIEW.

Burleigh Leagues

Club has contributed $944,000 to sport and the local community in 2024/2025.

This contribution includes $244K donated to local community groups and $700K invested into our football department. We are incredibly proud of our ongoing commitment to our community, ensuring strong engagement and support for many years to come.

Community Groups We Support....

Breast Cancer Foundation

Burleigh Bombers Australian Rules Football Club

Burleigh Bombers Masters AFL Club

Burleigh Cricket Club

Burleigh Golf Club

Burleigh Heads Cricket Club

Burleigh Heads Junior Rugby League Football

Club

Burleigh In Pink

Burleigh Junior Australian Football Club

Burleigh Leagues Social Golf Club

Caningeraba State School

Chamberlayne Trust

Clubs for a Cause

CSI

Elanora SHS

Family of League Foundation

GC Squash Club

Gold Coast Lawn Bowls Club

Marymount College

Miami Pickleball

Miami Seniors Tennis Club

Miami State High School

Motor Neurone Disease Assoc. of Qld Inc

Movember

Nobby’s Beach Surf Life Saving Club Inc.

Ormeau Woods SHS

Paradise Point Charity Drive

Pride of Betterman Inc

Probus

QLD Police Legacy Scheme

Queensland Police Service Rugby League

Association

RizeUp Limited

Robina Raptors Junior Rugby League Football Club

RSL Queensland - Burleigh Heads Brunch

Rugby League Gold Coast

TACQ

Tallebudgera Surf Club

The Aussie Rules Club Act for Kids

Share the Dignity

Pizzey Park Netball

GC Gymnastics

Bond Pirates

Burleigh Soccer

Miami Swimming

Miami State School

Miami State High School

Bombers Juniors

GC Tennis

OLD BOYS REUNION

The Burleigh Bears hosted their annual Reunion Day in August, celebrating the 1995 A Grade and 1985 Under 18 premiership teams, alongside the 2015 A Grade, Colts, and Under 19 premiership sides.

The day brought together players, coaches, and supporters from across generations to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the club’s proud history.

Earlier in the year, the 2015 Women’s team also celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their premiership — a victory that marked the beginning of the Bears’ being at the forefront of women’s rugby league in Queensland.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the events such a great success.

AWARDWINNERS.

Ryan

$31,000,000

$30,000,000

$29,000,000

$28,000,000

$27,000,000

$26,000,000

$25,000,000

$24,000,000

$23,000,000

$22,000,000

$21,000,000

$20,000,000

$19,000,000

$18,000,000

$17,000,000

$16,000,000

$15,000,000

$14,000,000

$13,000,000

$12,000,000

$11,000,000

$10,000,000

BURLEIGH BEARS GROUP

as of October 2025

105,931 hours In 2025, our staff worked a total of

75,307.2

30,588.23

What ongoing training initiatives we have been involved in?

2025 saw the introduction of the Certificate IV in Hospitality and Diploma of Hospitality through CTA. The staff selected went on a total of 265 hours of face-to-face training.

Other training that our staff completed were:

Workplace Bullying and Harassment Training

Sexual Harassment Awareness Training

Supervisor Bootcamp

RSG Refresher Training

Having Difficult Conversations at Work

Gambling Health Services

Customer Service Training

First Aid & CPR Training

Fire Training

Bar & Cocktail Training

Introduced the Rock Star Awards –Employee of the Month

Successful implementation of an Employee Assistance Program

Implemented Annual Staff Awards

Implemented an annual training calendar

Service Awards over 3 years up until the end of 2025:

15 staff have received their 5-year awards

5 staff have received their 10-year awards

1 staff have received their 15-year awards

2 staff have received their 20-year awards

2 staff have received their 25-year awards

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.