ALTONA Roosters have enjoyed a stable existence in the Victorian Rugby League when others have failed.
A key to their longevity in the competition has been the tireless work of former president Kevin ‘Shaka’ Jones.
Jones presided over the Roosters for 18 years and turned both its senior and junior sections into powerhouses.
But it won’t be Jones presiding over the Roosters in their 25th anniversary season this year.
Jones has cited an increase in work commitments and will step down from the position he held for the best part of two decades.
Entrusted with the responsibility of taking the club forward is Brandon Taunoa, who wants to carry on the work that Jones did at the club.
“He was totally dedicated to not only the Roosters but rugby league in Melbourne,” Taunoa told the Weekly.
“He was on the VRL board and he pretty much started the club.”
And Jones’s legacy? “Hard work pays off”.
The Roosters are the second-longest-standing club in the VRL behind Waverley-Oakleigh Panthers.
They are in the process of getting new merchandise made up to celebrate a “special year” with plans under way to mark the historic season.
The Roosters, coached by Mike Hurinui, want to take the fight up to rivals Sunbury United Tigers and new kids on the block North West Wolves and get back to the top of the premiership, while also building on the junior program that has provided Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm), Jeremy Smith (Cronulla Sharks) and Drury Low (Canberra Raiders) to the National Rugby League and a host of others to the Storm’s under-age ranks.
“Last year we had 230 juniors,” Taunoa said.
“Plus we’ve got seniors, reserves and women’s tag teams.
“We’re not in a real growth area and we rely on our reputation.”
Taunoa’s task is to keep that reputation intact.
The VRL season begins this month.
