After more than 25 years coaching various teams in the annual Koori Knockout tournament and female development teams at three different clubs in the Hunter area, Brooke Roach is seeing significant changes among First Nations involvement in Rugby League.
A proud Kamilaroi man, he’s been at the coalface working with female development teams at both the Raymond Terrace Magpies and Raymond Terrace Roosters, assistant coach with the Newcastle Knights Lisa Fiaola Cup (Under 17s girls), plus more than a dozen male Koori Knockout sides.
He is also a First Nations liaison officer in the Hunter region and is NSWRL’s 2024 First Nations Volunteer of the Year.
Roach feels a corner has been turned regarding the number of First Nations people now involved with the game.
“I do feel that a hundred per cent,’ he told nswrl.com.au.
“At the Knights I see a lot of Aboriginal coaches, mentors and players around the club.
“With Lisa Fiaola I had to make a few trips to Sydney, and I bumped into mates I hadn’t seen for a while from Koori Knockout teams and they’re helping out at various clubs.
“It’s one of the best things about being a volunteer coach … giving kids opportunities that I probably never had – and some like me never had.
“But it’s nice to see them take those opportunities and see those kids grow.”
One is former Australian Schoolgirls representative, Lilly-Ann White, who played fullback for the winning NSW Under 19s State of Origin team in June this year.
“I’ve had a bit to do with Lilly - coached her all through juniors,” he said.
“She got to play Harvey Norman (NSW Women’s Premiership) and a couple of weeks ago she made her NRLW debut at the Knights.”
He would recommend coaching young players to anyone.
“If you like helping people, then volunteer coaching is for you,” Roach said. “It brings people together and makes us all better for that.
“My idea is to have everyone walk together as one. You do that by having a level playing field to start with and coaches and volunteers can help make that happen.
Roach’s work often means he calls in a few favours with friends and associates to make sure every child has a pair of football boots or has their registration fee covered.
“I had a single mum who was in hospital on chemo, so the kids were not sure what was going on,” he said.
“I was able to get some boots and regos paid for with my connections. The footy kept those kids busy because they were going through a lot.
“Football kept me out of trouble so I want to make sure that sport can be that lifeline for others.”
