THE Ipswich Jets have an encouraging rugby league goal as they assist important country clubs like the Rosewood Roosters.
“It’s more about trying to get a little bit motivational and inspirational in what an important role the coaches play in these young players’ lives,” Ipswich Jets Pathway and Programs Manager Blake Mara said.
“We really want the community to understand how important it is to us.”
In his role with the Jets, Mara is eager to build stronger community ties by working with regional coaches.
The Roosters were the second club to benefit under the state league club’s Building Future Jets program.
The first was recently at Springfield where the Jets assisted 12 coaches.
Mara’s visit to Anzac Park at Rosewood was timely as the 2025 Rugby League Ipswich (RLI) senior and junior season was about to kick off.
Rosewood has a C-Grade team and a number of junior sides playing this year.
Mara presented an informative session with Roosters coaches before overseeing some skills and drills on-field work, assisted by Jets state league player and development officer Dion Teaupa.
“The whole point of it is we are trying to help our coaches in the local area understand what we (the Jets) are trying to improve on as a club and what we are focusing on,” Mara said.
“And that will help them do the same at their local level if they want.”
Mara said a major focus was encouraging club coaches to be more thoughtful than just trying to win all the time “which is quite tricky”.
He offered a range of suggestions and values to create a positive environment and make everyone feel welcome at the club.
“And also a part of that is not only making it in footy but you want to become a better person,” Mara said.
Ipswich Jets Development Officer Dion Teaupa (left) assisted Blake Mara in running drills for the Rosewood coaches. Photo: LYLE RADFORD
Mara worked as an academy coach with NRL club, the Canterbury Bulldogs, before being appointed at the Jets.
He said an important aspect of his Jets role was helping clubs like Rosewood feel part of the rugby league community.
“At the end of the day, everyone is going to have their own biases and their own interests – that’s life,” Mara said.
“But I think it’s important to acknowledge while the Jets are the over-arching body, we are about setting directions that are in the best interests of rugby league.
“They (club coaches) need to understand that the Jets are the team that represents the region so if the region really cares enough, they need to support the Jets.
“But they also need to feel like the Jets care about them and support them.”
Rosewood Roosters C-Grade head coach Sam Collins was among the club representatives to benefit from the Jets input.
“It was great what the Jets are giving back to the local clubs,” Collins said.
He said the drills that followed an information session particularly benefitted the senior and under-15 players preparing for a new season.
“Especially it helps having two very experienced and talented players (Mara and Teaupa) like that coming down,” Collins said.
“The boys loved it.”
Mara said an added benefit of working with Ipswich regional clubs was the Jets gained more crowd support at their North Ipswich Reserve home games.
Having a strong fan base proved decisive in the Jets’ recent 22-20 win over the PNG Hunters, where the Ipswich players had to rally late to secure a valuable victory.
“We can be putting on these great performances if they are cheering us on and who is going to be there supporting the team when they need a little bit of inspiration,” he said.
“In that Papua New Guinean game where there’s two points in it, we had massive support from our community there helping us hold on.
“We are a breeding ground for great rugby league players.
“We need to make sure that we have a good connection with our players and our community because we want them to come in, not go elsewhere.”