Ian Bourke has only been given the task of coaching the women s Indigenous All Stars team in the last month but has already boldly declared he s hoping it s a short stay.
Not because Bourke, who has spent decades in coaching across the Central Coast, Hunter and Western regions, wants the experience to be shortlived.
But rather he s more interested in pushing for a female coach to take over in 12 months time, along with helping to strengthen the Indigenous representation in the NRL Telstra Women s Premiership. Dean Widders and I have spoken consistently around how this space needs to be coached by a female in the future and that s what we re aiming for, Bourke told NRL.com.
He said Queensland Country Bank had the financial capacity to keep up with technology demands within the banking sector that the credit union did not. The 3100-member business had $56.2 million in total assets at the end of the 2020 financial year, according to its annual report. It said loans to members dropped by $4.1 million to $27.9 million. In comparison Queensland Country Bank s total assets were listed as $2.4 billion last year. Attempts of sales and mergers date back to 2011 when members protested and voted against a proposed deal with Credit Union Australia. In March 2020 a planned acquisition by non-bank lender Firstmac for $7 million fell through after Treasurer Josh Frydenberg deemed it was not in the national interest.
 Her family were unable to witness her maiden NRLW exploits in 2020 due to border restrictions, but she has put aside 10 tickets for her family to make the trip to Queensland Country Bank Stadium. North Queensland Gold Stars forward Shaniah Power has been named in the Indigenous All Stars squad. Picture: SCOTT DAVIS/NRL PHOTOS The 23-year-old will play alongside fellow Gold Star Jasmine Peters, and believes she and her teenage teammate will cause a bit of trouble charging down the flank. Power s selection 12-months on from her first appearance completes a year that has launched her into the rugby league spotlight, one that also featured debuts for the New Zealand Warriors and Queensland Maroons. Through all the various camps she has been a part of, the dynamic forward admits there is more to the All Stars build-up that gives her a sense of pride - emotions that will come to the fore with a collective of family and friends in the stands.
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2021 Harvey Norman All Stars teams announced
Some of the best and brightest names in the NRL have been named to play in the first ever NRL Harvey Norman All Stars in Townsville.
The NRL today announced the teams for the showcase on February 20, featuring the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker, Jarome Luai, Brandon Smith and Benji Marshall.
Men’s Indigenous All Stars Coach Laurie Daley and Men’s Maori All Stars Coach David Kidwell have both named star-studded teams for the match, which will be the first major rugby league event at the new Queensland Country Bank Stadium.