Former Whitehaven RL coach Don Gailer is visiting the UK with his family as part of their Christmas vacation to Europe and will visit his old club.
The Gailers plan to visit Whitehaven between December 11 and 18 and Don’s son-in-law Zac has been in touch about a possible meet up with fans, players, BOD staff and supporters for what he describes as “the crack and a couple of scoops. “
Don and his staff coached Whitehaven to promotion to the Championship in August 2012 and was the joint coach along with Gary Charlton who guided the Cumbrian 9’s team to success in June 2012, beating Featherstone in the final.
A Whitehaven Facebook post said: “Don and his family made many friends during their year in the UK, keeping in touch with many of us and Don often mentions Whitehaven RL during his Monday night radio show The Hump on Brisbane local radio.
“This area and its people left a positive mark on Don and his family so we have secured the Gary Purdham suite on Sunday December 15, 2pm to 8pm.
“There will be sandwiches/chips entertainment a raffle and other fund raising to help us raise funds for the club during a catch up with Don and the family.”
The club says there will be a small charge of £5 per person to cover costs and go towards the fund raising. There will also be a raffle and a football card to also help raise funds for the club.
When he took the reins in 2012 Gailer was 56 with 36 years of experience in Queensland, where he worked with one-time Australia captain Darren Lockyer.
He had spent much of his coaching career working with youth development and city/state sides and former Queensland Origin, Cronulla and Castleford prop Danny Nuttley listed him as the biggest influence on his career.
