Good news for Coast rugby this week when the Stingrays signed Morgan Turinui for this season.

It doesn’t come as a surprise though, considering the calibre of their coach Glenn Panoho.

I ran across Glen two World Cups ago, when Billy Moore and myself were asked to MC a function on the night of the final to raise money for junior rugby union.

Now I remember two things about that night. Firstly, how rude the then local rugby CEO was to me because, in his words, he “was worried that I might embarrass the game of rugby”, and secondly what a great bloke the guest speaker Glenn Panoho was.

I guess it must have been his destiny to come to the Coast to coach. Rugby is in good hands.

It would also be remiss of me not to mention Sea Eagles league coach Brandon Costin, who has started his tenure enthusiastically and seems to be doing everything in his power to get local league and the FOGs Cup club closer together.

Of course, both codes’ predecessors, David Clark and Des Allen, should not be forgotten either.

Good on you, Casey

Great news earlier this week from the other side of the world, with former Bronco Casey McGuire being named skipper of the French Super League side, Catalan Dragons, after only one season.

McGuire was taken for granted in his role as utility for the Broncos and I always felt he would have blossomed more as a player if he had played in one position and been given some certainty by his coach.

Well it looks like Mick Potter possibly agrees and I am wondering if Potter, the former Rothmans Medal winner, sees a bit of himself in Casey — quiet, unassuming, but very effective.

While I am on the McGuire clan, I see Wide Bay Rugby League chairman Danny is running for division three in the council elections in March.

I reckon he should go okay with his experience in local sports administration and what he has achieved thus far.

He should be pretty well schooled in handling difficult constituents.

His division will be keenly contested, given the candidates nominated so far, and I have good mail that there is at least one more high-profile runner due to throw their hat in the ring shortly.

Eagles set to soar

There has been some positive news coming out of the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles regarding new league players coming to the Coast and that should be good for football in general.

It’s pleasing to see the return of one former Coast player as well. Matt Proberts, the ex-Maroochydore forward, has signed up with Eagles and everyone has been talking about his cement-like defence.

It was pretty good before he went in the air force, where he represented Australia in both union and league, but apparently now there is even more reason for his opposing players to get a sidestep.

It doesn’t come as any surprise, though, as his dad Tony and uncle Mick were both renowned defenders when they played in Brisbane and on the Coast.

Blackout on the cards

I heard a story about a southern Sunshine Coast big hitter and AFL fanatic who had a bit of a health scare that is quite serious, and all that know him hope he has sorted it out.

Like many Aussie mates, a couple of his found the funny side.

Apparently old mate had a blackout in a newsagent and hit the deck, taking out a Hallmark Card display with him – one of those big cardboard ones, chock full of cards.

The story goes he hit it that hard it was flat enough to be a card itself and even though his mates were very concerned, a couple did ask whether there was a “get well” card in his pocket when he came to in hospital.

All revved up for dinner

Don’t miss the big sportsman’s dinner at the Dicky Beach Surf Club on February 16.

The guest speakers are V8 Supercars driver Mark Winterbottom and rugby’s John Connolly, and it will be emceed by former AFL player and funny guy Richard Champion.

Tickets cost $100 and proceeds go to Summer Surf Girl entrant Rebecca Gibb. Ring David (I’m not a Queenslander) Hodgetts on 5491 6078 to book.