By ALENA HIGGINS
FREE Times sports reporter Neil “Casey” O’Connor has had a long association with many sporting clubs over the years.
And while his official capacity as Border Rugby League (BRL) chairman came to an end on 16 November, he had no plans to sit aimlessly on the sporting or community sidelines.
Mr O’Connor said he had enjoyed his time in the job, but admitted he would not miss the associated stresses. The passionate league supporter was approached to take on the position when Steve McEvoy stepped aside three years ago – a time when no one was interested in taking on the responsibility of keeping BRL alive.
“Small communities need their football clubs and I was determined to keep BRL going,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It has not always been easy – there have been challenges but I always acted with the best interests of the game and the BRL at heart.“
The talented and prolific sportsman, one of the few people who can say they played for both the Stanthorpe Rugby League and the Stanthorpe Gremlins, said he believed he was leaving the league in “good shape”, thanks in part to the inclusion of Millmerran in the 2015 comp, which he helped negotiate over the past month.
He was also adamant Stanthorpe’s decision to apply to join the TRL will not spell the end of the BRL.
“If they are successful in their application, I wish them well,” Mr O’Connor said, acknowledging that every club had the right to determine its own destiny, but added it could have been handled differently.
“They will face many challenges and will need a mountain of support and commitment from players and officials and supporters if they are going to make the transition successful.”
He wished in-coming president Dolly Bennett “every success for the future” and said he would miss the camaraderie of Central Division board members.
The spectacular grand final at Tenterfield this year and the inclusion of ladies league tag rate up there on his list of highlights.
While plans are in the wind to stop and smell the roses: “I have a boat which has not seen the water for many years because of other commitments, so I am looking forward to getting it back in the water if the drought ever breaks”, it might be short-lived.
Life will no doubt ramp up once again when the active Rotary Club member and current president-elect takes over from Fran Hodgson at the end of 2015
