Cooper Brothers are Rugby League National Champions

By Jennie Reid

The team each of them plays for won their maiden national title this year. Gavin plays for the North Queensland Cowboys, who won the Australia NRL Grand Final October 4, 2015. Dustin plays for the Boston 13s of the USA Rugby League, who became national champions in the USARL on August 29, 2015.

Although Dustin was not present for the Boston 13s national championship match, due to visa processing, he described his absence as, “bittersweet.” He had full confidence in his Boston 13s “brothers.” Dustin described his feeling of confidence, “knowing the boys had put in the required work leading up to the final to lift the trophy.”

Dustin was present to witness his younger brother at his moment of highest possible achievement in rugby league, winning the NRL Grand Final. He received his passport just in time to fly from France to Sydney, Australia to support and cheer on his younger brother on his big day.

“A lot of people thought I was crazy, let alone doing it with a one year old, but it was worth every minute,” Dustin said of his long journey to Sydney.

As soon as the Cowboys won the preliminary final against Melbourne Storm and secured their place in the Grand Final, Dustin did all he could to get a flight for him and his one year old son. Forty-four hours of travel and three stop-overs later, they arrived in Sydney the morning of the Grand Final, in time for the proud moment of Gavin’s spectacular win with the Cowboys.

He has only been home for a total of three weeks since 2011. The last time Gavin and Dustin were together was for Christmas last year, which was their first family Christmas together since 2008. “Being with my family in person to support my little brother as he played the biggest game of his life was important to me,” he said. Dustin described his son as having “a cool demeanor and is a little legend of a traveler, so that also made things easier.

Any thoughts of craziness for traveling so far vanished into pride when the Cowboys thrillingly won one of the greatest ever grand finals. The win was, however, “the craziest thing I have ever seen!” exclaimed Dustin. Almost at a loss for words, in awe, Dustin said, “I’m a very proud big brother.”

Gavin was ecstatic to have his brother and nephew in attendance at the grand final and celebrate with them for the momentous occasion when the Cowboys won. "It was fantastic having Dustin and Finn here for the grand final. Traveling that far around the world at the last minute was a massive effort, one I really appreciate.” The Coopers realize the brotherhood of rugby league. Gavin said, “Your brother is your first teammate, and your first opponent when you start playing with a footy in the backyard as a kid, so a lot of memories came flooding back when it sank in just how big of an occasion it was. Knowing he (Dustin) was in the stands sharing the moment with me was very special."

Rugby league has been a part of Dustin and Gavin’s life from a very young age at age six and four respectively. The root of Dustin’s success was his first coach, Steve Renouf, who went on to play for the Brisbane Broncos and became a Queensland and Australian legend. Gavin’s first game came about when Dustin’s U/8s team was short of numbers. “He spent the whole game trying to tackle me instead of the opposition because that's what he did at home in the backyard,” said Dustin.

Becoming well-informed and skillful at tackling opposition rather than his brother, Gavin played alongside Dustin for their entire junior league years with the Murgon Mustangs. Then going on to play on separate teams, their rugby league and brotherly bond continues to grow as much as their success.

Dustin’s leadership with the Boston 13s since 2011 and his outstanding rugby league skills played a huge part in elevating the team to their current championship title. In 2012, the attitude of the team was more of a social environment. The professional rugby union and rugby league experience Dustin has carried over well to the team, with his initial role as a player/coach.

“The rugby league itself wasn't being taught to the level it needed to be in order to be competitive. I think Robin and I have shown the boys that if they take it a little more seriously then we can achieve things,” said Dustin.

The club’s profile has grown over the years. Shared duties with Head Coach, Robin Peers are all-encompassing, with recruitment, marketing, sponsorship, fundraising, social media, logistics, and apparel/merchandise design. Dustin said, “The list goes on. That’s all before coaching and playing. Needless to say, we wear a lot of hats!”

The Boston 13s athletes are now invested in what Dustin and Robin are trying to create as a club, but more importantly, how they want to perform on the field. The team very much has a family feel and they often refer to each other as brothers. “We didn't become USARL National Champions on the back of one or two players. It was definitely a group effort. From the guys who played in the final right through to the newbies who maybe played one or two games but kept turning up to practice to learn and have fun,” said Dustin.

What’s next for the Cooper brothers? Dustin has high hopes for the Boston 13s, saying, “I really feel like this is just the beginning of something much bigger. We'll continue to grow as a group and as a club to really put our stamp on things. As for Gavin, Dustin said lightheartedly, “We hope to be living in the same country sometime in the near future. I know a few influential people at the Boston 13s, so I might get him a start over here.”

The Cooper brothers cherish those who helped them get to where they are today and their rugby league brothers on their team. You can’t choose your family, but you can support them and flourish in the proudness of their biggest achievements. You can choose your dreams and with hard work it is possible to live them. The Cooper brothers have proven how the bonds of brotherhood in both family and rugby league allowed them to obtain the greatest accomplishment of success, each being part of a team winning their first-ever national rugby league title.

Follow the USA Rugby League on facebook.com/USARL