The Pine Rivers Junior Rugby League Club, aka the Pine Rivers Bears, has wrapped up their 2025 season with plenty to celebrate, both on and off the field.
Under the guidance of president Glenn Muller, who is now in his second year at the helm, the club has continued to grow in strength, community spirit and player numbers. Glenn’s history with the Pine Rivers Bears goes back decades, starting as a junior player, then later coaching, before stepping into leadership. For him, it’s always been more than just football; it’s about community and connection, something he said had never changed since the early days.
This season saw impressive growth in participation, with player registrations jumping from about 200 last year to nearly 280 in 2025. Volunteer numbers also rose significantly, a key factor in ensuring the club runs smoothly.
“We’ve got about 70 to 80 volunteer members now,” Glenn said. “That includes our coaches, team managers and committee members. It makes a massive difference to what we are able to achieve with our players and the events we can host.”
On the field, the club has enjoyed several highlights. The under-14s claimed a division three premiership, their first title together as a group. The open men’s side lost to Albany Creek by just two points, but their strong season proved the program is on the right track.
While results are important, Glenn says one of the biggest wins this year was hosting major finals matches at the club at the end of August and into September. The venue attracted an estimated 5000 spectators, delivering not only a huge atmosphere but also valuable revenue and exposure for the club.
“It was probably four times the size of any Pine Cup I’ve been to,” Glenn said. “Every volunteer worked incredibly hard and it showed that we can run big events professionally.”
The Future of the Pine Rivers Bears
Looking ahead, the club is pushing hard to re-establish a women’s team in 2026, after two seasons without one. With growing interest from local mums and female players, Glenn said he was determined to make it happen.
“The hardest part is finding a coach,” he said. “But once you’ve got that, the players follow. It’s a big priority for us.”
The club’s future is also promising, with Council discussions underway about a new clubhouse. And with a Masters team launching next year, even former players are coming back to wear the club jersey again.
For Glenn, the 2025 season has been about building momentum and with growing numbers, the club is well placed for an even bigger 2026.
Coming up this month, the club will host a fun event and presentation afternoon for members and their families on 11 October, and on 18 October there will be a presentation evening for the open men’s side.
Pine Rivers Bears junior sign-on days will be held next year on 31 January and 1 February at their clubhouse in Mundin Street, Petrie. For further information, visit pineriversbears.com.au or follow their Facebook page.
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