For more than three decades, the Brimelow family has been part of the Tamborine Mountain Bushrats, with three brothers now continuing a rugby league journey that began with their father in 1995.
Ray Brimelow helped establish the club’s junior program when his eldest son, Lewis, was turning six.
“I wanted to see him play rugby league and I wanted to have them in a team from the mountain,” he said.
“I was initially a treasurer and then after a few years I devoted my time to coaching and I coached for many years and then I was president for three years.”
All three sons, Lewis, Bill and Eddie, progressed through the Bushrats’ junior ranks before the club eventually folded, forcing them to continue playing elsewhere.
However, the club’s revival in 2022 provided the brothers with their first opportunity to play senior rugby league together.
Ray said watching his sons finally share the field was a special moment.
“It was so terrific seeing them on the field together for the first time,” he said.
“They really gelled together and they play in key positions. So sometimes the ball would go from Edward to Lewis to Bill, back to Edward.”
Lewis plays halfback, Eddie at hooker and Bill in the forwards, with all three receiving club awards over the years.
Eddie was also named the Gold Coast competition’s best player in 2023.
Ray has managed the senior side since its return in 2020, and he credited former Bushrats president and TMSA President Alick Kilsby’s efforts with rebuilding the Bushrats and securing their future home at the Long Road Sporting grounds.
“The future is looking great, and the new fields will be fantastic for the club,” he said.
“I’ve been down there and had a look at the earthworks that they’re doing and it’s all due to him, so having a home there will be terrific.”
