LOYAL Redbank Plains Bears club president Jodie Elder shed tears of joy after watching her A-Grade team create rugby league history.
The minor premiership-winning Bears secured their first grand final victory in style, beating the Fassifern Bombers 42-12 at the North Ipswich Reserve.
The Bears last made an A-Grade grand final in 2016, losing 16-12 to Booval Swifts.
That came after the Bears were formed, following the club’s previous journey as the Cobras.
Ms Elder has devoted 15 years to strengthening the club’s culture through a stronger junior network and senior program.
Winning the club’s first A-Grade title generated emotional scenes on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s very special,” Ms Elder said.
“It means a lot to so many people who, back at the club, just supported us through and through, and the committee who has backed us.”
Starting to choke up with emotion, Ms Elder said it was satisfying sharing such success with the community.
“Behind every player is a family and a lot of sacrifices,” she said.
“I said to the players last night we have an opportunity to rewrite history and I believed in them.”
Ms Elder has served the Bears for 13 years as club president and two years as club secretary.
Ms Elder was earlier this year awarded a Public Service Medal for her outstanding service at the Department of Youth Justice.
The First Nations woman had been instrumental in rolling out Youth Co-Responder teams from an idea she had during the early lockdowns.
Redbank Plains club president Jodie Elder shares in the historic victory. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
But her thoughts were never far from rugby league around the region.
Her son Jayden played hooker for the Bears in the latest grand final triumph.
Ms Elder was also excited about the years ahead after recently watching the club’s under-16 side also win the grand final after three missed attempts.
“There is definitely a future for the 16s, the 18s, even our International [competition] team from under 13s up,” she said.
“We had 10 teams all up in finals this year.”
