About Us

About Us

Wanderers Junior Rugby League Club

Wanderers Junior Rugby League Club

Wanderers Junior Rugby League Club (Mackay) was established in the 1970’s. Originally based in Walkerston, the club relocated into Mackay in recent years. In 2023 our club will have teams from U6 to U12 mixed teams, U13, U14, U15 and U17 boys and, U12, U14, U16 and U18 girls in the Mackay District Junior Rugby League competition.

Wanderers has had much success both on and off the field, including the growing participation numbers year on year. This is a testament to the club culture; this culture ensures the club is a family-oriented club that develops not only rugby league players but good people as well.

The strong committee of dedicated volunteers are committed to creating a positive future for the club. This commitment will guide the committee to grow the club and increase player and volunteer numbers, increase finances, and overall provide a great experience for players and their families.

Wanderers Junior Rugby League Club is committed to making a difference in our young people’s lives.

Peter Keogh Memorial Shield

The Peter Keogh Memorial Shield day first started in 2017 and typically prior to the season commencing as a trial for our teams. The memorial day has been celebrated annually since, and in time has extended to remember some other great clubmen, namely Brendan Fletcher and the late Jim Lucas. The day was created with the intent of remembering these great men and bringing 3 great clubs together (Wanderers, Brothers Bulldog Juniors and Brothers Seniors) to play the game they very much loved. Peter was an important member of our football community and we are very lucky to have generations of Peter’s family involved with the club as both volunteers and players. All funds raised from the day are shared between the 3 clubs and it is an important fundraiser for all of the clubs.

Peter Keogh was a great supporter of Brothers Football Club and the game. He was ever present in the local football community, from playing for years, assisting with the acquisition of Leprechaun Park, making mouthguards for young football players and hours of volunteering. Just before he passed away from cancer, he was awarded Life Membership.

Wanderers Junior Rugby League Club

Peter Keogh played football for Mackay Brothers Football Club since he was a young boy attending St Francis school. He was very fast on his feet so he played wing for most of his footy days. The highlight of his playing career was the 1980 grand final in which he played alongside his brothers John and Robert, and saw Brothers come home victors against Magpies.

Wanderers JRL - PETER KEOGH

Peter met his wife Judy through his days at footy. Their son Eddie, and son-in-law’s Andrew Lucas and Brenton Benson, played for Brothers from Under 6 through to the senior grades. Peter never did get to see his grandchildren take the field in a Brothers jersey, a feat that five out of six of them have achieved.

Peter retired from playing in the early 80’s but always remained present around the Brothers Club. In the early 90’s Peter was an alderman on the then Mackay City Council and he was instrumental in obtaining the grounds for what is now known as Leprechaun Park. Peter would take his wife and kids down there to plant trees and water the newly laid turf, excited to watch the next chapter of Brothers take shape.

Peter was a Dental Prosthetist by trade and delighted in making mouthguards for the young footy players that would walk through his door, sometimes even handing out some tips to those in the chair. He loved seeing them return year after year, bigger, stronger and keen for another year of footy.

Peter was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2012 at 52. Rather than spend his final days moping around, he would often be seen down at Leprechaun Park, volunteering his time or his little Hino truck to whatever needed being done around the grounds. It was during this time, before he passed that he was awarded a Life Membership, a plaque that was proudly brought home and went straight to the pool room.

Peter wasn’t a man who liked praise or fanfare and he’d probably be looking down on us, with a rum and coke in one hand and a rollie between his lips, shaking his head in disbelief at the effort that so many people go to, to make this day happen but he’d be proud to see the club he loved with all his heart going so strong after all these years, the spirit of the Brethren to live on forever….

Awards on the Day

  • Peter Keogh Memorial Shield – Overall Junior Club on the day
  • Brendan Fletcher Memorial Trophy – Player of the Match A Grade
  • Jim Lucas Medal – Player of the Match Reserve Grade
  • Mick “Wombat” April Medal – Junior Player of the Day