9PL Podcast

Summary

Lockyer Valley Vikings founders Dalton Desmond-Walker and Josh Lee join the 9PL podcast to talk about building a new rugby league nines team for the Brisbane qualifier. They discuss recruiting players and sponsors, creating a community-first team culture, lessons from difficult overseas tournament experiences, and the tactical challenge of defending and attacking in nines.

Key Topics

• Dalton Desmond-Walker and Josh Lee explain how a casual idea over a meal in America became the Lockyer Valley Vikings, drawing players from Ipswich, Toowoomba and the wider region.
• The founders describe the behind-the-scenes workload: cold emails, direct messages, sponsorship pitches, social media, player recruitment and organization alongside full-time jobs.
• They discuss how clips and social posts helped make the unfamiliar nines format tangible for sponsors, with the team’s content reaching about a quarter of a million views.
• The Vikings aim to build a family-oriented team culture through trust, barbecues, partners and children being welcome, and regional supporters getting involved.
• Josh shares the difficult experience of a previous American tournament, including organizers dropping out and transport and accommodation problems, as a reason to take control and build the Vikings.
• On the field, the team favors flexibility over a fixed roster formula, and emphasizes winning contact, fast attack and making one-on-one tackles.
• The team has attracted a mix of local players and higher-level experience, while building support from businesses across the Lockyer Valley region.
• The guests set an initial competitive goal of reaching day two, while hoping to progress from Brisbane toward the Gold Coast competition.

Summary

Host Ant interviews Luke Berger, founder and coach of the LBR Black Stallions, about his long rugby league career, his work managing racehorse ownership groups, and the team he is assembling for the Nines Premier League. Berger explains the squad’s mix of speed, toughness and experience, the work behind entering a team, and how creating access and strong relationships can build lasting support.

Key Topics

• Berger played first grade from age 17 to 39, coached across age groups, and finally won a grand final after eight losses.
• After 17 years as a racehorse trainer, Berger shifted to managing ownership groups, acting as a link between owners and trainers.
• The LBR Black Stallions bring together First Nations players from different regions, giving them a chance to play together beyond their usual club or community knockout teams.
• The squad combines speed, physicality, proven leaders and younger talent, with Lindon McGrady named captain and Brenton Cochrane identified as a key competitor.
• Berger expects the team to play an instinctive, fast style rather than rely on elaborate structure, with the coaches leading the on-field plan.
• The team is committed to competing seriously and hopes to progress to the Gold Coast; players are expected to come together on the Friday before the tournament.
• Berger describes the behind-the-scenes work of recruitment, funding, accommodation, food and preparation, and names Man Up Skin, A1 Metal Roofing and Marathon Tires among supporters.
• In racing, Berger creates value by giving owners behind-the-scenes access; he applies the same relationship-first approach to sponsors and the team community.
• Berger says coaches carry more game-day nerves than players, while his ownership experience has taught him to keep a long-term perspective.

Summary

In this episode, we explore the growth of NxGen Rugby League, the strategies behind team building, and insights into the upcoming Sydney qualifier for the Nines Premier League. Guests Bayley Macbeth and Aaron Gray share their experiences, team dynamics, and what makes this competition exciting for players and fans alike.

Key Topics

• Growth of NxGen Rugby League
• Team building and recruitment strategies
• Preparation for the Sydney qualifier
• Player development and talent spotting
• Game tactics and style of play in nines rugby
• Community and supporter engagement

Summary

Identical twin brothers John and Maurice Kennedy, founders of KSquared SportStyle, explain how they built their coaching business and prepare a Northern Beaches-connected squad for the Wenty Leagues Sydney Qualifier. They reflect on their rugby league, union and touch backgrounds, share their defensive approach to nines, and discuss the community relationships helping bring the team together.

Key Topics

• John and Maurice Kennedy founded KSquared in 2018 after leaving council work and studying for a diploma in sport development while balancing work and training.
• The twins grew up playing rugby league at Manly Cove Rebels, added rugby union around ages 11-12, and began playing touch at 14.
• A home-made YouTube highlights video unexpectedly became popular before viral clips were commonplace; the brothers recount how their distinctive K2 play was developed.
• KSquared's qualifier squad aims to represent the Northern Beaches, with roughly 25-30 players competing for a final 18 and younger trainees potentially gaining exposure.
• Their nines approach blends ideas from league, touch and sevens, with defense as a priority and systems adjusted to field position, ruck speed and situation.
• The brothers plan to use two defenders and one marker in some scenarios, and other structures in different parts of the field; decisions are tested collaboratively.
• They emphasize inclusive coaching, inviting player input to build team ownership and buy-in.
• The Kennedys are drawing on local businesses and community ties, including sponsors connected through their tipping competition and grassroots football.
• They study successful teams, including Campbelltown, but stress that tactics must match the personnel available.

Summary

In this episode, we chat with the Bourke Warriors team about their back-to-back grand finals at the Koori Knockout, team building, strategies, and insights into knockout rugby league. Discover how they prepare, the importance of experience, and their plans for upcoming competitions.

Key Topics

• Team building and community focus of Bourke Warriors
• Significance of knockout experience in rugby
• Strategies for success in knockout tournaments
• Impact of injuries and player management
• Plans for upcoming competitions and team development

Summary

In this episode, we explore the development of the Wide Bay Renegades rugby league team, their journey through regional competitions, and the opportunities they create for local players to showcase their talent and progress to higher levels.

Key Topics

• Development of the Wide Bay Renegades
• Opportunities for regional players in rugby league
• The importance of regional pathways to professional levels
• The role of community and sponsorship in sports development
• The impact of regional competitions on player confidence and skills
• The journey of players from local to national competitions
• The significance of exposure and experience for young athletes
• The challenges and successes of managing a regional team
• The influence of regional teams on local sports culture
• Future ambitions of the Wide Bay Renegades

Summary

In this episode, we chat with the Titans of Coal about their journey, the excitement of the Nines Premier League, and insights into team dynamics and competition strategies.

Key Topics

• The growth of Titans of Coal and their community impact
• Insights into team selection and strategy for the Nines
• Challenges of managing team fitness and injuries in fast-paced rugby
• The importance of community, mental health, and social responsibility in sports
• Comparing different rugby competitions and their level of play

Summary

In this episode, Kalifa Fai Fai Loa and Jimmy Tamou discuss the development of rugby league talent in North Queensland, the significance of the inaugural Auckland Nines, and their plans for The North team in upcoming competitions. They share insights on team building, community impact, and the importance of reconnecting through sport.

Key Topics

• Development of rugby league talent in North Queensland
• The significance of the Auckland Nines tournament
• Team building and recruitment strategies for the North team
• Community impact and reconnecting through sport
• Insights into coaching and player management in short-form competitions

Summary

In this episode, we explore the journey of building a rugby league team from the Northern Territory, the importance of community representation, and the power of social media in sports promotion. Guests Willhem and Addo share insights on talent development, team building, and the challenges faced along the way.

Key Topics

• Building a rugby league team from the Northern Territory
• The role of social media in promoting sports and talent
• Community representation and its importance in sports
• Challenges of logistics and travel for remote teams
• Talent development and showcasing local players
• The significance of local rivalries and community support
• Strategies for team cohesion and game tactics
• The journey of players from remote areas to professional levels

Summary

In this episode, Lance and Joel share their journey from local footy in Mount Isa to competing in the Nines Premier League, highlighting community building, overcoming challenges, and their ambitions for future tournaments.

Key Topics

• Community building in rugby league
• Journey from local footy to professional tournaments
• Challenges of organizing and funding community sports
• The importance of social media and sponsorships in sports growth
• Player development and showcasing local talent
• Highlights and memorable moments from recent tournaments
• Future ambitions for the Eyes of Warriors team
• The role of family and community support in sports success