THE new rugby league season has barely even started, but already we have been given a very clear reminder about how dynamic and rapidly changing our game can be.

It was only a matter of weeks ago that Mal Meninga told us that a spot would have to be found for Ben Barba in this year’s Queensland State of Origin team – such was his electric form at the back end of last year, and his start to 2013.
I can say personally that I was not aware of any issue with Ben. The time that I spent with him in camp, there was never an inkling there may have been problems.

I am pleased with the response from the Bulldogs in trying to help Ben. Obviously it is in their interests to have their star player back on an even keel as quickly as possible.

But from a wider point of view, Ben’s situation is one that we may see a lot more of in the future.

With the young blokes these days exposed to big-money salaries and very high profiles, it is understandable that without proper programs in place to help them deal with it that more players may struggle to cope with the load.

The players need help managing their money and managing their downtime, when they are removed from the strict boundaries that come with training or playing the game.

There have been a number of positives out of Ben’s situation, first and foremost the fact that Ben has addressed his problems and is working towards rectifying them.

Outside of that though we saw a rugby league club get on the front foot to take on an issue, and take decisive action.

But beyond that, Ben’s situation was probably set off a warning light or two among players who may have been treading a fine line in their own private lives about just what is at stake if they do not reel themselves in.

Similarly, other players are now probably more likely to react when they see warning signs in teammates.

It was reported that Ben’s problems with gambling often led him to borrow money from teammates so that he could keep punting.

His mates lent him the money because they, like man of us who have dealt with Ben in recent times, never suspected there was a problem.

If they could have their time over again, perhaps a few of them would have seen the warning lights and intervened before the problem got out of hand.

It may just be a matter of reporting it to the team’s leadership group, or going directly to the coach or CEO. It is not a matter of telling tales. It is about having a genuine concern for the wellbeing of a friend and teammate, who may not be able to spot the warning signs for themselves.

For us at the FOGS this year, the new year sees a pleasing continuation of the great work one last year, with our ARTIE Academy and FOGS Indigenous Employment and

Careers Expos once more at the centre of our business.
Our Expos will launch shortly for another year, helping young Indigenous Queenslanders make a better life for themselves by putting them directly in touch with employers.

One the field, I am really looking forward to seeing how the NRL season unfolds. The three Queensland clubs are a bit of a mystery to me at the moment.

The good judges always talk about the importance of the spine – the players wearing numbers 1, 6, 7 and 9 – in successful teams.

It is in these positions that all three Queensland clubs have had major shake-ups over the off-season. So we will have to wait and see how they respond to that.

And even though the season has just started, it won’t be long before Origin once again appears on the horizon, with Mal’s Maroons chasing an eighth successive title.

So while there are a lot of changes in the rugby league landscape this year, hopefully that will be one of the things that stays just the way it is.

Whatever unfolds, it will be a great year. And as our Founding Chairman was fond of saying, it will always be great to be a Queenslander.

Gene Miles
Executive Chairman