Confraternity of Brothers Clubs

The Confraternity was formed in 1975 to assist Brothers football clubs and players. From relatively humble beginnings, it has grown as the need for it has grown. Many Brothers’ clubs have received advice and assistance from the confraternity, particularly in the development of their licensed clubs both prior to and since he introduction of poker machines in Queensland. The confraternity has also gone to bat successfully for a number of Brothers’ football clubs over he years, helping ailing clubs to continue in competition and even succeeding in having the QRL change its constitution on one occasion. The Confraternity was founded by Rev Bro Schofield (Patron 1975 to 1996) and Frank Melit (President 1975 to 1997). Treasurer, Arthur Burkitt has been there since the beginning and Secretary, Terry Sessarago, joined them soon after. Two others who have also been involved since the beginning are Vice Presidents John Rica and Buzz Johnstone.

Perhaps the most widely known of the Confraternity’s achievements has been the establishment of the Confraternity Shield Carnival, which goes from strength to strength and is arguably the best of its kind in Australia. The Confraternity sponsors the carnival directly and the Brothers football and leagues Clubs donate large amounts of money and resources to support the participating schools.

The Confraternity played a major role in the establishment of the Statewide League competition which commenced in 1996 —The Queensland Cup. The concept and the detailed proposal for the competition to the QRL came from the Confraternity. This was recognised privately by the QRL Executive at the time but no public recognition was ever given. To the contrary, the only Brothers side admitted to the Statewide League has been excluded twice by the South East Queensland Division and it was only the most determined representations by the Confraternity on each occasion which resulted in them being admitted on appeal to the QRL.

Recently, the Confraternity has fostered the emergence of a strong and cohesive working group called the. Licensed Clubs’ Sub Committee. Consisting primarily of Brothers’ Licensed Club Managers, the group is striving to use the combined membership of Brothers’ Clubs to enhance the value of that membership to all members.

The Confraternity has many other less publicised, but nonetheless important achievements, ambitions and expectations, and the Executive will welcome any enquiries you may wish to make.

In the meantime, please read on to learn more about this unique organisation.


ORGANISATION PROFILE

The Confraternity of Brothers Clubs is a closely knit organisation of thirty-five junior and senior rugby league football clubs in Queensland located in all of the major cities and towns from Cairns in the North to Logan in the South. There are seven clubs in the Brisbane/Ipswich.

There are eleven licensed clubs associated with the football clubs including some of the largest and most progressive clubs in Queensland. All Whites (Toowoomba) are in a joint venture with other sports clubs to run the Toowoomba Sports Club, and Gladstone is currently building a licensed club.


The football and licensed clubs are a closely-knit group, which has a valued association with the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League. The Clubs and the Confraternity give significant financial support to QISSRL.


We believe that our organisation is unique in sport throughout the world because no other group of clubs is united by an organised common bond as we are.

Seventy or more delegates from the combined clubs meet twice a year using one of the clubs as a venue. At the annual general meeting each year, the clubs elect the Executive of the Confraternity which meets in Brisbane on a monthly basis.

The Confraternity has conducted an annual football carnival with senior, junior and invitation sides selected from all of Queensland, this is currently being looked at with a view of a more financially viable method of conducting this carnival. It has supported the junior section of the carnival financially and is involved in other junior de­velopment activities as funds and opportunities permit. Such activities include the conducting of a development squad in south east Queensland each year for elite under 17 players. This squad participated in the carnival referred to above.

More recently the Confraternity, apart from its six monthly conferences, has conducted Conferences for its Licensed Clubs Secretary! Managers as well as Coaching Directors seminars. All coaching Directors from Cairns to Logan meet over two days to participate with leading NRL Coaches and Trainers in all the latest methods to ensure Brothers remain the top Clubs in Queensland.


General Information / Events
Report March 09 Conference

Confraternity of Brothers Clubs Inc. Conference October 2008 Update