BY PAT CAVANAGH 

ON SUNDAY, September 14, the curtain came down on the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League season with five grand finals being played at the Sunshine Coast Stadium at Kawana.

Coolum Colts were represented in the Grand Finals by their Reserve Grade team.

The Colts, who finished the season as minor premiers, came up against the fourth-placed Stanley Rivers in the Grand Final.

The Colts came up against a much bigger and physical side, and they struggled to make inroads during the first half.

The second half was a different story as the Colts settled into their patterns and structures more confidently and made a game of the Grand Final. Blake Batton crashed over for a try with 10 minutes to go, making the score 16 to 12 in favour of Stanley Rivers.

The stage was set for a grandstand finish, but unfortunately for the Colts, Stanley Rivers scored again with five minutes remaining, thus ensuring premiership honours would go to Stanley Rivers with the final score being 22 to 12 to Stanley Rivers.

Coach Blake Batton praised the courage and effort of the team and thanked the many supporters who made the trip to Kawana.

President Simon Kidman said it was a great achievement for the club and for Coolum.  “To have all four grades make the finals, with three of the teams making the Preliminary Finals and one in the Grand Final and the Coolum supporters are the most passionate in the league.
“To see the hill filled to overflowing at home games is a testament of what the Colts mean not only to the players, coaches, supporters and sponsors but to the wider members of the Coolum Community.”

Simon stated that this is further reinforced by the fact that this year, the club had over 30 businesses willing to come on board to support the club via sponsorship.

Wrapping up the season, the Colts hosted their awards night on Saturday, September 20 at the Coolum Bowls Club and celebrated their standout players from the season.

The Colts will now build on their momentum from 2025 and look to go even bigger in 2026.