LIFE MEMBERSHIP CITATION

BRIAN PEARSON

Brian Pearson’s contribution to the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League and schools Rugby League in general is and has been quite remarkable.

Brian’s involvement in schoolboy Rugby League began in 1977, his first year of teaching, when he coached teams at Ayr State High School. Such is his commitment to ensuring the participation of boys in our great game that he continues to coach school teams to this day. His organisational skills were soon recognised, and he was appointed Manager of North Queensland regional representative teams from 1981. He continued with appointments at this level when he moved to Moranbah SHS in 1982, taking Central Queensland teams to the State Championships, then Darling Downs teams when he moved to Toowoomba in 1985.

His success in these positions led to his appointment in 1987 as Manager of the Queensland Secondary Schools Opens teams, a position he filled with pride for five years. Concurrent to his appointment as Manager he was appointed QSSRL Selector, and continued in this position until 1995. His commitment to QSSRL was further emphasised by his membership of the 1993 committee which organised the inaugural QSSRL State Conference. Brian was also QSSRL Treasurer from 1994-1996.

Brian’s great abilities in this position were recognised in 1997 when he was appointed ASSRL Treasurer. He had already had involvement in ASSRL activities as QSSRL delegate to ASSRL Council from 1993 – 1996, and as ASSRL 18 Years Selector in 1987, 1988, 1991 and again in 1995-2001. However it is in the position of Treasurer that Brian has made his most significant contribution to our organisation. To say that Brian is a wizard in this position would be an understatement. He always has a complete record and control of the finances, and his thoroughness, detail and precision are exceptional. This leads to Brian’s capacity to always present accurate and detailed records in a punctual and timely manner. Brian has an uncanny ability for far sighted budgeting, which makes planning much easier for fellow Executive. Brian is also a strong advocate in seeking financial support from governing bodies and sponsors.

As a member of the Executive and in his contributions to Council, Brian always presents wise counsel, and is conscious of the big picture in his eagerness to see the best interests of the ASSRL come to be served. He has an inviolable sense of fairness and equity, and his strong principles ensure that he is always prepared to fight for what he sees to be right. At the same time, he has the capacity to alter his viewpoint if he can be persuaded that the alternative point of view is better. His energy, persistence and stamina contribute immensely to the success of the ASSRL and its Executive.

Brian has been the Executive Representative on two tours of England and France and one of New Zealand, and his effectiveness in this role is evidenced by the way that he has retained friendships with many Rugby League officials in those places.

Brian is currently a Life Member of Darling Downs Secondary Schools Sport, Queensland Secondary School Rugby League and Queensland School Sport. His dynamic, varied and long term contribution to schoolboy Rugby League and ASSRL certainly make him eminently worthy of the award of Life Membership of Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League.