Former Broncos CEO Shane Edwards has passed away from Motor Neurone Disease.<\/p>\n
The long-serving rugby league administrator died on Thursday afternoon after a brief and heartbreaking 12-month battle with the crippling disease. He was 67.<\/p>\n
The sad news comes as fellow MND sufferer, former Queensland Origin and South Sydney star Jai Arrow, prepares to take the field in Rabbitohs colours in Saturday\u2019s clash against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.<\/p>\n
Edwards was a pivotal figure in a golden age for the Brisbane Broncos. He served as managing director and chief executive of the Broncos for seven years from 1995-2002 and was part of three premiership wins in 1997-98 and 2000 under coach Wayne Bennett.<\/p>\n
Edwards was a popular figure respected for his intellect, calm leadership and big-picture views on growing the code in Queensland.<\/p>\n
The veteran official later served as chairman of the Brisbane Tigers and led the Queensland Cup powerhouse\u2019s push to win an NRL expansion licence.<\/p>\n
Edwards was part of the Brisbane Firehawks consortium that entered the NRL expansion race in 2021, only to lose out to the Redcliffe Dolphins in the battle to become the NRL\u2019s 17th team in 2023.<\/p>\n
Edwards experienced a rapid decline over the past year. He is survived by his loving wife Sue.<\/p>\n
Brisbane\u2019s inaugural CEO John Ribot said Edwards was instrumental in establishing the Broncos as one of the premier brands in Australian sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Shane joined the club, I had a feeling immediately that he would take us to another stratosphere,\u201d Ribot said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShane thrived under pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlong with Paul Morgan (co-founder), we made the difficult transition to take the club to ANZ Stadium from Lang Park and we enjoyed crowds of 40,000 to 50,000 people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the start of a new era for the Broncos.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a brilliant work colleague but moreso he was an inspiration in every aspect of his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was excited knowing that when I left, Shane would take the Broncos to a new level of success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe remained close friends and have been for over four decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a very sad time for Sue and the entire Edwards family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout his ordeal, several Broncos legends, including Chris Johns and Allan Langer, visited Edwards to keep his spirits up.<\/p>\n
Broncos boss Dave Donaghy said Edwards\u2019 legacy would never be forgotten.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhenever you speak to people who were at the Broncos during Shane\u2019s time here, the first thing they talk about isn\u2019t the premierships, they talk about Shane as a person,\u201d Donaghy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was someone people genuinely liked being around. He had a warmth and generosity about him and treated people well, regardless of their role or position. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why there is such genuine affection for Shane right across our club and the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was at the helm during a really important period in the Broncos\u2019 history and there\u2019s no question he was incredibly proud of what the club achieved, but I think his legacy is equally reflected in the relationships he built and maintained.<\/p>\n
\u201cShane never stopped being part of rugby league and he certainly never stopped being part of the Broncos.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of everyone at the Broncos, our thoughts are with Sue and the entire Edwards family. Shane made an enormous contribution to this club, but more importantly, he made an enormous impression on the people within it.<\/p>\n
\u201cShane and Sue will always be part of the Broncos family.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Former Broncos CEO Shane Edwards has passed away from Motor Neurone Disease. 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