The virtual pied piper of South Grafton Junior Rugby League - Dave Hanna - celebrates three decades as a junior coach this year.
The 30-year journey started with the Minto Cobras in 1994, followed by Liverpool All Saints Under 13s, 14s and 15s until 1998, before two years with the Macquarie Fields Hawks, then a back to the All Saints for a longer stretch, before five years with Western Suburbs Magpies around the Under 17s as well as a junior development coach.
He was involved with the Magpies Harold Matthews Cup side in 2016 as trainer and coach before moving to the South Grafton Rebels in 2017, where he’s remained ever since.
Hanna (above, second from right) is pictured with Junior Kangaroos and former NRL head coach Neil Henry, and True Blue Paul Sironen, after helping out at a recent RISE Academy program.
South Grafton JRL President Kylie Randall has first-hand experience of Hanna’s talents as he coached her daughter Bree-Anna for three years, along with other girls age teams.
“His relationships with the kids is phenomenal. He’s built that respect and trust with both the boys and the girls.
“The kids really look up to him.”
So much so that the Under 15 boys had 27 registrations this year, which meant officials had to play a few in the older age group and a couple dropped back.
“We had too many for one team and not quite enough to enter two teams. But that’s a sign of how many kids want to be coached by Dave.”
He has also helped with the Under 14s and the girls age groups.
“He’s been volunteering for 30 years so that’s an awful lot of his time and effort.
“Rugby League just wouldn’t exist without people like Dave.”
