Seagulls 2025 TAFE Program Applications Open

Based at BMD Kougari Oval, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls TAFE at School Program promotes excellence by equipping senior high school rugby league players with the right tools to pursue success in and outside the playing arena, while providing a clear pathway to employment in the sports industry.

Students enter the 2-year rugby league coaching immersion program in year 10 or 11, attending 1-day a week during the school year while completing two qualifications, Certificate II in Sport Coaching and III in Sport Coaching (SIS20321/SIS3042) delivered by a specialised educator from TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275).

The program is fully contextualised around the sport of rugby league and the class regularly transitions between the classroom, pitch and gym to create an active and engaging learning environment. Upon completion, students will earn up to 8QCE credit points, contribute to their ATAR, qualify to work or volunteer in assistant coaching roles at rugby league clubs and sports organisations and/or pathway into higher study.

TAFE Queensland Academy of Sport Manager, Jesse O’Hara said “This program based at the home of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls creates a fully contextualised rugby league coach education program for students in their final years of high school, building in two qualifications so that players get the benefit of an awesome education to support their QCE or ATAR, while learning in a highly engaging and active environment.”

This ideal is perfect for players who want to incorporate their passion for rugby league and the sports industry into their final years of high school.

If you are interested in learning more about the 2025 program and how to join, follow these steps:

To Apply

  1. Visit www.tafeapply.com
  2. Use the application code TQB2501
  3. Follow the prompts and select the Wynnum Manly Seagulls TAFE at School program
  4. Check with your school to approve the application

2024 Season Finishes in PNG

The 2024 season is officially over for the BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

After a Round 23 loss to the Brisbane Tigers finalised our 8th spot on the ladder, the boys travelled to Port Moresby to take on the PNG Hunters in an elimination final (5th vs 8th).

Faced with the toughest away trip in the competition, our Seagulls weren’t overawed by the challenge. In fact there was part of them seeking redemption for a Rd1 loss, also to the Hunters in Port Moresby.

As with every trip to PNG, the rugby league-mad supporters are everywhere and are thankful to have high quality football on display.

Brendan Frei has made some new PNG fans.

A great crowd came through the gates of the Santos National Football Stadium to watch this do or die clash.

The Seagulls weathered a bruising start from the Hunters, with their typical hard-running, hard-hitting style evident from the outset.

Connor Broadhurst then shocked the home fans when he beat his man to score in the 8th minute.

A successful conversion, and then another penalty from Bryce Donovan, had the Seagulls in front 8-0 after 16 minutes.

To the Hunters’ credit, they were shown an opening and took full advantage to blow the game wide open, scoring in the 20th, 24th and 27th minutes.

The game had flipped on its head and the Hunters now led 16-8.

The Seagulls did their best to hold on, and got back into the arm wrestle to maintain the same score at the halftime break.

The second half started how the first half finished, with a very even battle for possession and territory, and both teams struggling to outdo the other.

However, in the 59th minute, the Hunters capitalised on a Seagulls error and scored a great counter-attacking try.

A late field goal sealed to game for the Hunters, who ran out 23-8 winners.

That is the end of our 2024 season – earlier than we would have liked. But there has been a lot of positive change both on and off the field.

We look forward to a big 2025 season!

#UpTheGulls

Seagulls Celebrate 1984 Premiership Team

To kickstart Paul Green Medal Day on Sunday, the BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls welcomed back our 1984 Premiership team for their 40 year reunion.

Hosted by the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club, a full house attended to celebrate potentially the best BRL team ever put together.

In addition, 50% of the proceeds from the reunion lunch were split evenly with the Australian Sports Brain Bank (ASBB), who are Australia’s leading researcher into the effects of CTE in sportspeople.

Steve Haddan kept our guests entertained as MC, and showed his extensive knowledge of the BRL throughout the event.

MC Steve Haddan leads the live auction.

Ladbrokes came on board as a sponsor of the event and gave away a trip for 2 to the NRL Grand Final, including diamond seats, an ambassador cruise, food & drinks, valued at $5,000!

Wally Lewis and Prof. Michael Buckland were the first guests on stage to discuss CTE and the importance of research into the issue.

Then halfback Peter Dawes joined Coach Des and Captain Rod Morris on stage to recap the 1982 team’s triumph as a lead-in to the 1984 team.

After lunch, Wally was back on stage with Des Morris and Greg Dowling to share the memories from the 1984 premiership win.

Rod Morris, Wally Lewis and Greg Dowling telling stories from 1984.

Plenty of money was raised for the ASBB during the live and silent auctions, with some very generous contributions, particularly from BMD’s Mick Power and Bartons’ Mark Beitz.

All in all, a very special event to celebrate a year of dominance from the Seagulls in 1984, as well continuing the fundraising for CTE research.

The Seagulls would like to thank the following people for the contributions to our 1984 premiership reunion:
– BMD’s Mick Power AM, Scott Power, Toni Richards
– Bartons’ Mark Beitz, Kelly McKenna, Gaylene Gillard-Beitz
– Amanda Green
– Peter Dawes, Gene Miles, Bruce Cory, Wally Lewis
– Event sponsor – Ladbrokes
– Creatives – Kit Kreative, Signmart, Bayside Hampers, Paul Comber

Set yourself a reminder for 2026 as well wrap up an incredible period of football for the Seagulls, and celebrate the 1986 premiership win!

Gulls Go Down to Tigers in Final Round

Match report presented by George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals

BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls hosted the Brisbane Tigers in the final round of the Hostplus Cup on Sunday.

Known as our annual Paul Green Medal Day, the final round saw a bumper crowd swarm on BMD Kougari Oval for multiple reasons.

To kick off the day, the Seagulls hosted our 1984 Premiership team for their 40-year anniversary. The event was a full house, with 50% of the proceeds from the lunch going to the Australian Sports Brain Bank – a leading Australian charity that researches the cause and effects of CTE in sportspeople.

Following the lunch, the Wynnum Manly legends played against the Easts legends for the BMD-Bartons Cup. This game is played in memory of Paul Green, who played at Easts and coached Wynnum Manly’s most recent premierships. Wynnum Manly came out on top 16-8.

Paul’s kids, Emerson and Jed, led out the two Hostplus Cup teams onto the field to the tune of Pete Murray’s ‘Seen Better Days’, in QRL’s Turn To Me Round – a men’s mental health initiative.

Emerson and Jed Green lead out both teams. 

The Seagulls got off to a flyer and were unlucky to have 2 tries disallowed within the first 10 minutes. They maintained their momentum as Matt Milson sliced through a gap to beat the fullback and score under the posts in the 10th minute.

Sione Hopoate and Connor Broadhurst, after being disallowed earlier, scored in quick succession in the 20th and 24th minutes. 16-0 Seagulls.

The Tigers hit back through former QLD Origin player Chris McQueen, before Ethan Malt pounced on an Easts knock-on and ran 20m to score his first Hostplus Cup try.

Easts snuck in just before the break to take the Seagulls momentum away and bring the score to 22-12 at halftime.

The Tigers were in again shortly after halftime and closed the gap to 22-18. Then in the 59th minute, the Tigers hit the front for the first time 24-22.

Ethan Malt’s first Hostplus Cup try.

Seagulls captain Brendan Frei, led by example and grabbed a Bryce Donovan kick to score under the posts and put his team back in the lead 28-24

Then with 5 minutes to go, the Tigers broke the Seagulls hearts with a try, and successful conversion, to lead 30-28.

A final minute penalty to the Tigers ensured their victory, and confirmed an 8th place finish in the 2024 season for the Seagulls.

This result means a trip to Papua New Guinea to take on the Hunters on Saturday afternoon. The most daunting away trip in the league, but a game that the Seagulls will be up for.

Tune in on QPlus.tv on Saturday at 4pm to watch the Seagulls vs Hunters in an elimination final.

Seagulls Field Blockbuster Legends Team

BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls legends will run out for their annual match this coming Sunday 25th August at 2:10pm.

Taking on the Easts Tigers legends team, the Seagulls have named a lineup of superstars looking to retain the BMD-Bartons Cup.

An exciting tradition on the second annual Paul Green Medal Day, the legends match brings former greats of both clubs out of retirement in tribute to another Bayside legend, Paul Green.

Greeny played at Easts, and then coached the Seagulls to back-to-back premierships in 2011 and 2012.

This game is an opportunity for the Old Boys to express their love for Greeny, and put on a show for the adoring Chook Pen.

Some players may still be physically hurting from last year’s corresponding game, but they wouldn’t miss this one.

Seagulls legends captain Luke Dalziel-Don is awarded the BMD-Bartons Cup in 2023.

Players such as Seagulls leading points scorer Mat Seamark, former QLD Cup coach Adam Brideson, and former club CEO Hanan Laban, will run out in Seagulls retro jerseys, which are on sale now and will continue to be sold on the day.

Following the legends match, the final round of the Hostplus Cup will kick off at 3:10pm, broadcast for free on Kayo Freebies, 9Now, QPlus.tv and Facebook livestream. The player of the match will be awarded the Paul Green Medal.

BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls legends team list:
1 Shea Moylan
2 Peter Gubb
3 Damian Quinn
4 Chris Currie
5 Daniel Ogden
6 Jon jon TeReo
7 Mat Seamark
8 Craig Greenhill
9 Wade Bachmann
10 Chris Muckert
11 Adam Brideson
12 Darren Bain
13 Luke Dalziel-Don
14 Ben Czislowski
15 Mitchell Dodds
16 Brad Nairn
17 Tanu Wulf
18 Hanan Laban
19 Tony Gollan
20 Will Scanlan
21 Gus Martin
22 Clayton Maher
23 Denny Lambert
24 Mark Lane

Staff:
Head Coach – Ben Ikin
Assistant – Jed Green
Assistant – Andrew Gee
Manager – Kerry Crosbie
Asst Manager – Andrew Clayton
Head of Performance – Tony Wood
Performance & Rehab – Brendan Turnbull
Head of Hydration – Danny Grimley
Hydration Assistant – Ian Turner
Hype Manager – Shane Yeo
Trainers – Kevin Crease / Graeme Kirk

Jersey Presenters:
Steve Plath
Steve Malt
Paul Lineburg

Tough Loss in Rockhampton

George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals match report

BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls travelled to Rockhampton for Women In League Round over the weekend to face the Central QLD Capras.

Coming off a 32-12 loss to the 1st-placed Northern Pride in Cooktown the week before, the Seagulls were hoping to get through another big trip and put a win on the board.

Wynnum Manly started well, with a couple of early breaks in an opening 14-minute period of relatively free-flowing football.

The Capras scored first in the 14th minute and unfortunately for the Seagulls, it was one-way traffic from that point on. The Capras then scored 3 more tries to take a 24-0 lead into the halftime break.

Anthony Milford scored first for the Capras in the second half, as the Dolphins-contracted half led his team around the park.

Brendan Frei ran a great line in the 51st minute to get the Seagulls on the scoreboard. Then Josh Stuckey barged his way through defenders in the 54th minutes, creating a glimmer of hope for a comeback.

But being down 30-12 proved too much, as the Capras scored another 3 tries to seal the game, 48-12.

The Seagulls are a lot closer to home for this weekend’s Round 21 away game. We’ll take on the Norths Devils on Sunday at 2:10pm. This is the feature broadcast match of the round, and can be viewed for free on Kayo Freebies, 9Now and QPlus.tv.

Following that, the Seagulls have 2 home games to finish the regular season, against Townsville Blackhawks and then Brisbane Tigers on Paul Green Medal Day.

Bryce Donovan Hits 100 Hostplus Cup Games

QRL article by Jorja Brinums

For Bryce Donovan, there is a very long list of people who have helped him get to and stay where he is in the rugby league universe, playing his 100th Hostplus Cup game.

Among those at the top of the list is his mum Kelly Donovan, wife Jess Donovan and daughter Willow Donovan – fitting, given it’s Harvey Norman Women in League Round.

The crafty playmaker will lace up his boots for his 100th Cup game when Wynnum Manly Seagulls take on Central Queensland Capras in Rockhampton on Saturday.

“It’s definitely something I’m proud of,” Donovan said.

“To play 100 Cup games… it probably wasn’t a goal to play 100 Cup games… the goal was always NRL and it would take as many Cup games as it did until that was ticked off.

“I’m still always chasing it. If you asked me, I wouldn’t have said 100 Cup games was a goal because I was probably a bit arrogant, thinking I’d be doing something else by now, but I wouldn’t change it for the world… it has been really fun.

“Without playing that next level, it just shows that I have been able to play some pretty consistent footy for a number of years now. To get to 100 games, I don’t think it’s a fluke… I’m obviously doing something right, so it’s something I’m definitely proud of.”

The 29-year-old made his Cup debut for the Redcliffe Dolphins in 2018, and won the competition that year. He has played 54 games for the Dolphins, 29 for Norths Devils and 16 for Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Donovan played for the Dolphins in 2018-19, Devils in 2020-22, Dolphins again in 2022, Devils in 2023 and Wynnum Manly in 2024.

“I debuted in 2018 at Redcliffe and as we all know, I have hopped around over the years, and probably would’ve had my 100 a bit earlier because I’ve probably lost a full season through injuries,” Donovan said.

“Had a pretty cool debut year… tore my pec leading into Round 1, came back halfway through the year then we won the comp… it was a long time ago but I’m still hanging onto it.

“I was at Norths in 2021… I lost half a season there with my ACL and the team was pretty much rolling when I came back so I didn’t play in the grand final.

“My highlight playing Cup would definitely be 2018, winning the grand final in 2018.

“Other than that, one of my funnest years was 2022… I went back to Redcliffe I think in Round 3 and we didn’t start off good. I think we lost our first four in a row, but then just went on a really big winning streak… didn’t lose for about 13 or 14 weeks there, which is a club record.

“I got to go back and play with some old mates and make some new ones that will last a lifetime, so 2022 is right up there as well.”

Donovan looking for an opportunity from the play the ball.

Donovan said while it was a milestone for him, he owed it to a “long list of people”.

“Footy is the only thing I’ve known since I was probably four or five… you get around a special group of people and they’re you’re family away from family… with them four to five times a week, travel with them, they become your family… it’s just fun as you get older,” Donovan said.

“Without carrying on too much, I just want to say I am grateful for the support of both mum and dad my whole career…they did everything for me growing up, with footy… took me to all of the trainings and games, all the weekends away… without them, this would be hard.

“There’s obviously Trai Fuller, Cameron Cullen, Sheldon Pitama and Nathan Watts from Reddy and also my big, tall, friendly giant friend Jarrett Boland.

“Then Norths, obviously playing with Jack Ahearn was pretty cool… we had some fun, Moses Noovao-McGreal, he is still one of my best friends even though he’s at Brisbane Tigers, and I’ve got Connor Broadhurst and Brendan Frei who I played with at Norths, who are playing with me at Wynnum Manly now.

“Now, all the Wynnum boys. I’m really enjoying the group at Wynnum. We’re not getting the results we want at the moment, but I’m having a really fun year so far. My halves partner this year Kurt Falls, my security guard (back rower) who’s saved my butt a few times this year Luke Gale, Josh Stuckey and Ollie Pascoe – comedians of the team; Matty Milson… played with him at Norths and now Wynnum.

“All of the clubs I’ve played at hold a special place in my heart. Redcliffe, I went there and won a comp and went back and we went to a grand final and unfortunately didn’t win.

“Norths, I got to get coached by Rohan Smith… the people who know Rohan and the players who have been coached by Rohan know he’s a pretty special guy and so that was cool.

“And then, going to Wynnum Manly, after bouncing between Redcliffe and Norths, to be coached by Mat Head who has played NRL, also as a halfback, and to play with different guys who I have played against, now getting to be on their team, it’s pretty cool.

“Each of the three clubs hold a special place in my heart.”

A muddy game away at Tweed in Round 8.

Donovan said most importantly, he could not do what he did without the support of his childhood sweetheart and now wife Jess, and two-year-old daughter Willow.

“I moved up from Newcastle. I spent my whole life and footy career there… played Cup with Newcastle and 20s with Newcastle… and then I had a shoulder reconstruction after the 2016 season and I think I moved up here at the end of 2017 for something different and just fell in love with the joint,” Donovan said.

“I have put my wife Jess through the ringer with footy over the years. Without her support each year – obviously there’s several nights a week I’m away from home – I come home to dinner ready, I don’t have to do anything… I’m pretty much a big baby.

“Without her, I would not be playing football and I would be really struggling to look after myself. She is the MVP of our family. We’ve been together since Year 8.”

Donovan said Willow – “the hurricane”, who turns three on September 16, the day his second baby is due – kept him grounded.

“She’s always awesome… when she was born, my one thing was I wanted to keep playing footy at this level and perform well enough until she’s at an age where she can comprehend what’s going on,” Donovan said.

“She comes to every game with her little Wynnum Manly jersey on. Even when we’re sitting watching NRL on TV and we ask who her favourite NRL team is, she says the Seagulls, where daddy plays, which is pretty cool.

“And any time I’m in a slump, or coming off the field after a loss – I take a loss pretty hard – I see her on the sideline and she comes running over with a massive smile, and yeah, that’s exactly what I need after a loss. She takes me away footy and makes me realise there’s a bigger picture there.

“She won’t be there this weekend in Rockhampton, but she’ll be glued to Qplus.tv.”

Donovan – a project co-ordinator at a stock fitting company – said he simply love footy, and his life and he hoped to continue on the track he was on for many more years.

“On the field, I’d still love, in my future, to tick off my goal of playing NRL. Outside of that, I need to win another comp after losing a couple of years ago… I really want the chance to fix that up,” he said.

“In 2022, got beaten my Norths after I left there… trying to wipe that from my memory but it’s really hard.

“I want to play as good as I can for as long as I can. If I can tick off a few more milestones like 150 or 200, that’d be pretty cool. I guess I’m just going to play until the wheels fall off.

“Away from footy, I just want to have a happy and healthy family and enjoy their company.”

Donovan has kicked conversions at a high rate for the Seagulls all season.

Bryce Donovan’s honour roll

Note: He wanted to name everyone who has helped him get to 100 games but couldn’t.

Relationship/s Name/s
Mum and dad Kelly Donovan and Darren Vial
Wife Jess Donovan
Daughter Willow Donovan
Redcliffe Dolphins teammates Trai Fuller, Cameron Cullen, Sheldon Pitama, Nathan Watts and Jarrett Boland
Norths Devils coach and teammates Rohan Smith, Jack Ahearn, Moses Noovao-McGreal, Connor Broadhurst, Brendan Frei and Matty Milson (with the latter three crossing over to Wynnum Manly)
Wynnum Manly Seagulls coach and teammates Mat Head, Kurt Falls, Luke Gale, Josh Stuckey and Ollie Pascoe

Pride Overcome Seagulls in Cooktown

Match report presented by George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals

The BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls travelled to Cooktown in Round 19 for QRL’s Country Week.

With the longest distance to travel of any team in the Hostplus Cup this round, the Seagulls faced a tough task to beat the high-flying Northern Pride in their backyard.

Playing out of Cooktown District Junior Rugby League Club, the local community showed great support for rugby league on the day as a good crowd came out to watch.

Northern Pride, buoyed by a number of North QLD Cowboys players, opened the scoring through halfback Thomas Duffy in the 8th minute.

The Seagulls hit back in the 16th minute, as debutant Harry Armstrong picked up a loose Pride offload and got himself over the line from close range.

The next 20 minutes remained scoreless as the Seagulls well and truly held their own against the league’s top team, leading the possession count in an end to end period of the game.

Pride scored just before halftime to take a 12-6 lead into the break.

Another period of end to end footy ensued after the break, with the Pride breaking the arm wrestle in the 57th minute.

The game then opened up as the Pride managed to score 4 tries in 16 minutes to seal the match.

There were encouraging signs for the Seagulls as they matched it with the best team in the competition.

Another away trip in Round 20 will see Wynnum Manly travel to Rockhampton to play the Central QLD Capras on Saturday afternoon.

Maroons Welcome Seagulls To Origin Week

QLD Maroons welcomed the BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls to Sanctuary Cove last week in the lead up to State of Origin Game 3.

The opportunity arose with the Seagulls on a bye week, and our players were excited to be a part of it.

The session allowed QLD to run both attacking and defensive shapes at the Seagulls in order to prepare for a massive game on Wednesday night.

It was a timely boost for the Seagulls team that has hit a rough patch, and should provide inspiration for the run home to the finals.

Wynnum Manly were very grateful for the experience and wish the QLD team all the best for Game 3.

#Queenslander

Mitch Cronin Cup Evades Seagulls Again

George Hartnett Metropolitan Funerals Match Report

It was a picturesque afternoon for rugby league as the Seagulls welcomed Souths Logan Magpies to BMD Kougari Oval yesterday.

In the feature match of the round, the two Brisbane Broncos affiliates faced off following mixed results for each team over the past month.

Making the game even more important was that the winner would receive the Mitch Cronin Cup in honour of the former player of both clubs.

The Magpies scored first and opened up a 22-0 lead at halftime. Darius Farmer got the Seagulls on the scoresheet in the 42nd minute, in what the home crowd hoped would be a comeback.

However, the Magpies scored two more tries to blow the game apart at 32-6.

Sione Hopoate got a late consolation try, but the game finished up 40-10.

A tough loss for the Seagulls, which is their 3rd in a row.

In better news, our gameday sponsors Bartons Motor Group and Jayco Brisbane Camperland gave away a car and a caravan for a weekend getaway, in a very generous halftime prize draw.

Wynnum Manly now have the bye, before the whole competition takes a week off. Following that 2 week break, we’re heading to Cooktown for QRL’s Country Week to play the first-placed Northern Pride.

Our next home game is on Saturday 17th of August against the Townsville Blackhawks. Chemist Warehouse will give away upto $5,000 in their Kick For Cash at halftime. To enter the draw, simply spend $30 in store at Chemist Warehouse Wynnum or Tingalpa and mention ‘Kick For Cash’ at the checkout.