Just how much work the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles have to do to become a competitive Queensland Cup rugby league club was staring them in the face at Dolphin Oval in Redcliffe yesterday.

As a FOGs Cup side, the Eagles often get to play as the main curtain-raiser to the Q-Cup game when they’re on an away trip to Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Yesterday was another example of how well resourced the big clubs in the top competition are – and how much playing strength they boast – compared to what the Sunshine Coast has at the moment.

The Eagles put in a brave effort but lost to the Redcliffe Dolphins’ second-string side.

Without a big influx of playing talent, the Coast will be uncompetitive in Q-Cup should they gain promotion, which is what they are aiming for in 2009.

The Sea Eagles’ hierarchy know that and, with the help of their relationship with Manly, some extra playing resources will be on the way should they get the green light from the QRL to step up a grade.

Meanwhile, the Eagles’ search for sponsors through their Platinum100 club, launched last month, is having some success.

Around 25 businesses have taken up packages so far and that hopefully will grow, should the club put some wins on the board to get some positive momentum building.

If they can land another 25, the Q-Cup dream will getting much closer.

But what stood out as the big difference between the Coast and Redcliffe league operations yesterday was the massive Redcliffe Leagues Club which sits at the southern end of Dolphin Oval.

The place brings in millions and that is something the Sea Eagles don’t have, although there are some murmurings that a leagues club could end up being constructed at Stockland Park, with Manly playing a significant role.

With a frontage on busy Nicklin Way, you think it would become a runaway success in such a populous area.

However, like the completion of the much-awaited stadium, a Sea Eagles Leagues Club is some time off.

As well as having the big bucks from their mega-premises, a trip to the Dolphins-Eagles game yesterday also revealed an enviously large band of volunteers who help out at Redcliffe home games.

There’s a tradition there of people who for years, judging by their ages, have contributed their time to benefit their club by doing everything from selling programmes and raffle tickets, walking around the ground with 50 cent and $1 footy doubles, and manning the stall which sells club clothing and even hand-knitted rugs.

The crowd was around the 1500 mark and most of those who were there appeared to be passionate about their local footy team.

It’s that sort of culture which is important for the Sea Eagles to somehow develop and nurture in the years ahead.

Hopefully, time will provide everything they need.