Steve Keir is the heart and soul of the Gungahlin Bulls Rugby League Club. Photo: Supplied.
The outpouring of support in the wake of news that former Raiders, Norths and Easts back, Steve Keir, was in hospital battling cancer, has been something to behold.
It shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anybody associated with the Gungahlin Bulls Rugby League Club, where he has been the heart and soul for the past 36 years through the club’s various incarnations.
‘Boomer’, as many know him, has been a player, coach, president, committee member and mentor.
Bulls captain-coach Matt Frawley said Steve’s influence on the Bulls has been enormous.
“He’s done everything at the club. It’s been a life’s work. He comes to training; he’s on the BBQ. He has been a massive influence. He’s part of a very tight-knit group of old boys who provide enormous support. When I came back from the UK Super League and moved into an apartment in Braddon, Steve and the old boys helped me move in.”
Back in 2020 Lauren Keir was playing for Canberra United, and her brother Dan Keir, was with the Raiders as a junior representative and played for the Mounties. Photo Michelle Kroll.
The outpouring of support also reflects the enormous connections the Keir family has within Canberra’s sports community.
Whether it be wife Di in hockey, son Dan, who currently plays for Souths in the NSW Cup after playing seven NRL games for Parramatta, daughter Lauren, who played for Canberra United in the W-League, or daughter Ashley, who was a WTA-ranked tennis player.
It is not just the success of his family in sport, of which he is enormously proud, but it’s the passion for giving back to sport that sets him apart from many.
Steve is genuine in his approach to helping others. His ‘larger than life’ personality rubs off, and whenever I have had personal contact with him, I have always walked away with a strong desire to take a positive approach to life.
It comes as no surprise that he has been instrumental in creating this culture at the Gungahlin Bulls.
Because of this, so many people across Canberra are keen to show their support to Steve and his family.
Original Article published by Tim Gavel on Region Canberra.
