ROSEWOOD Roosters C-Grade coach Josh Hassett typifies the family commitment that keeps country clubs going.
Josh is working with his experienced father Paul who is running the newly-created Rosewood Reserve Grade team in the Rugby League Ipswich competition.
Josh’s wife Jasmine is team manager and helps out in the Roosters canteen.
Josh’s sister Amanda Emtage is a level 2 sports trainer at the Anzac Park-based club.
Despite both Rosewood teams yet to win this season, Josh remained upbeat knowing he was developing a group of new players at a proud regional club.
Photo: LYLE RADFORD
“I wanted to step up and help dad this year,” Josh (pictured) said.
“I’ve learnt a lot from dad.
“We all work together. We’re all one big happy family.
“I love it out here . . . it’s a beautiful place to be involved.”
Photo: LYLE RADFORD
The Roosters C-Grade side lost their latest match 24-4 after a lengthy delay waiting for an ambulance when Norths hooker Owen Fourmile snapped an ankle.
It was an improved performance from the Roosters who were earlier beaten 24-12 by Swifts and outclassed 70-0 by the well-established Brothers side.
Hooker Michael Tone was among the players building a combination with halves Cody Adams and Keegan Camplin.
“Once we get that right, we’re starting to get the ball rolling and everything will just push forward from there,” Josh said.
“They’re loving training.
“They come out here (Anzac Park) and they have a lot of fun out here tonight so it’s just onwards and upwards.”
Josh, who previously played for Goodna and West End, was also encouraged having players like regular C-Grade captain Will Bliesner promoted to Reserve Grade.
“We worked pretty hard last year throughout the year to try and get a Reserve Grade side this year and we’ve done it, so we’re pretty proud of that,” Josh said.
Rosewood Reserve Grade coach Paul Hassett. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Roosters centre Josh Kleinhans took over the captaincy and scored Rosewood’s only try in the C-Grade encounter.
“We played a lot better as a team,” he said.
“I think we’re going to keep going better.”
The stand-in skipper returned to the senior Roosters side after a stint with Norths having previously played with some of his teammates in juniors.
“We’re all family,” he said. “We’ll get there eventually.”
Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Norths coach Daniel Sykes was pleased his team secured a second win of the C-Grade season, having nine footballers unavailable in the split round.
“The boys are travelling not too bad,” Sykes said, coaching the side for the third year.
“We were a bit sloppy. Our ball control was a big killer but the four guys that dropped down from Reserve Grade helped us a lot.”
Five-eight Sykes is among the senior players who will return to the field soon, keen to guide the younger group.
Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Norths are holding their annual Old Boys Day across all three grades at Keith Sternberg Oval on Saturday.
Club supporters will celebrate the anniversary of the 1994 Tigers A-Grade team that made the grand final, with the jerseys being auctioned off after the game.
In other C-Grade results to complete the split round, Swifts beat Springfield 16-4 and second placed Goodna overpowered Fassifern 58-16.
Action from the latest Rosewood v Swifts Reserve Grade match at Anzac Park. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
The Roosters Reserve Grade team was beaten 30-10 by Swifts in the night match at Anzac Park.
Home side Goodna earlier upstaged Brothers 13-12 through a field goal to halfback Malaki Oloitoa.