Rugby league brings Beerwah and Greece together Did you know that Beerwah and the Greek international rugby league team have a strong connection? In fact, the captain of the Greek national team – the Greek Titans – plays for our Beerwah Bulldogs. Signed by the Bulldogs for this coming season, Jordan Meads will captain the Greek Titans in their quest to qualify for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England. Last week, the Beerwah Hotel announced that it will sponsor Jordan on his journey. A playoff between the Titans and Norway will be held in London in May for the right to join the European playoffs to qualify for the World Cup. Jordan, who hails from New Zealand, is a former NRL player with the New Zealand Warriors and has played professionally with teams in France, England and locally with the Sunshine Coast Falcons and the Kawana Dolphins, before signing with the Beerwah Bulldogs. Jordan has played in the Greek national team since 2014, qualifying for selection by the fact that he is half Greek. “My Mum is Greek and my grandparents migrated to NZ as a result of World War II,” Jordan explained. “I grew up with a strong Greek influence and I’m very close to my culture. “I have a tradition that before every international game, I send my grandparents a letter and thank them for the sacrifices they made so that I could live the life I live and play the game I love.
As soon as I finish writing the letter, I know it’s game time.” Due to International Federation Rules, the Greek national team – currently ranked 19th in the world – is only allowed four heritage players (players who have Greek heritage but live elsewhere) during the World Cup qualifiers. The remainder of the team must all live and play in Greece. “The players who live in Greece have improved significantly over the past five years,” Jordan said. “I make a conscious effort to call or Skype a couple of times a week to see how they are going and catch up on their preparation. They get up in the middle of the night to watch every NRL game and they idolise the sport more than anyone I have ever seen.” But the Bulldogs and Greek rugby league have a deeper connection. At the Emerging Nations World Championship held in Sydney last October, the Beerwah Bulldogs had two representatives playing for Greece – brothers Nathan and Clinton Hughes. The Hughes brothers have represented Greece since 2014 in multiple international games. Finishing in a respectable third place, the Greek team – coached by ex-NRL player and coach, and former Greek captain, Steve Georgallis – proved they have what it takes to make the World Cup main draw in 2021. The official Greek Rugby League Australia Facebook page praised the Beerwah Hotel’s contribution to their cause.
Jordan Meads at the 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship
“Beerwah Hotel will be the 2019 sponsor for our captain Jordan Meads on our journey towards qualifying for the Rugby League World Cup”, the post stated. “Beerwah Hotel has a proud history of supporting rugby league and has established itself as one of the Sunshine Coast’s premier bar, restaurant and entertainment hotspots. We encourage all of our supporters to go and check them out whenever you are in the area!” Beerwah Bulldogs president Lee Robertson said that they consider their latest signing to be the marquee player on the Sunshine Coast. “Jordan has also had NRL experience. We were very lucky to coax him to Beerwah. “He is very much about promoting the game at all levels and with all age groups. He has a very good attitude and this really does speak volumes about him as an individual,” Lee said.
G N I R A E H D N A L R HINTE SERVICE
Free Hearing Tests … LET'S FIX IT
BOOK NOW! 1300 881 082 Landsborough Beerwah Meridan Plains Maleny
6
Dry Needling Ultrasound Therapy Myofascial Release Strapping Customised Orthotics High Speed Video Gait Analysis
HEEL PAIN?
Local and independent provider of flexible hearing services that include home visits at times to suit you. If you’re looking for professional advice and old fashioned service without all the sales talk, give me a call. I am an independent audiometrist working from my home having low overheads which means I can pass on huge savings to you. OFFERING 20% TO 40% DISCOUNT ON LEADING BRAND HEARING AIDS
David Hine Dip. Aud.
Call me now... 5493 0382
Glasshouse Country & Maleny News
