By TANIA PHILLIPS
The Coolangatta-Tweed Blues turned pink for their annual breast cancer fundraiser at the weekend, with it proving a good day on and off the field for the club.
More than 200 women took part in the fundraising lunch while out on the park the football team continued their successful start to the season with a 17-point win over University of Queensland in their SEQAFL First Division Game at Len Peak Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The new-look Blues won 14.14 (98) to Uni’s 12.9 (81) to continue their solid start to the season under new player coach Daniel “Dougie” Hawkins. The Blues – a powerhouse in the early 2000s – have now won two from three and are sitting in fifth place on percentages after three rounds. Last year they won just one game all season.
“We had a good win in the first round against Burleigh and then we showed good signs against defending premiers the Magpies in round two,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins rejoined the club this year after a year playing and working in Gladstone – this is his sixth year with the club but his first as player-coach.
He first played for the club back in ’03 and ’04 before heading up to Southport for a couple of seasons, rejoining the Blues from ’09-’11.
“This my home now and it’s good to be back,” he said.
“We have a strong roster and all the boys are keen to play footy and turn up to training.”
Hawkins, who had a stint as an assistant coach, admit is a step up but he said he is enjoying the challenge and has looked to another Blues stalwart for help.
“I’ve been talking to former coach Brett Andrews,” he admitted.
Andrews coached the team to successive grand finals in the early 2000s including a flag in 2001 and the Blues will be hoping a little of that magic can rub-off this year.
