“Game-Changing Grants Drive the Future of Rugby League in Local Communities”

Grants Pave the Way for a Better Rugby League Experience in Queensland

Author: Scott Nosworthy

Date: Thu 22 Jun 2023, 07:01 AM

Several rugby league clubs across the state of Queensland are celebrating the recent round of grants from the Queensland Government Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport’s Minor Infrastructure Program. These grants, totaling close to $2 million, will be used to improve facilities not only for rugby league but also for other community sports.

Co-Funding and Assistance from QRL

The Queensland Rugby League (QRL) has played a key role in co-funding grants for three clubs: Stanley River, Brighton, and Burleigh Juniors. Additionally, the QRL has collaborated with the Rockhampton Regional Council to improve lighting at Kettle Park, which will benefit the Central Queensland Capras by providing an extra field for training.

Promoting Indigenous Recognition and Celebration

As NAIDOC Week approaches, QRL is eagerly anticipating the support from clubs across the state. Taking inspiration from the recent efforts of the Sunshine Coast Falcons during National Reconciliation Week, where they hosted a game day function featuring an Indigenous jersey designed by Falcons player Zac Miles, QRL hopes to see meaningful recognition and celebration pieces throughout the game.

During NAIDOC Week, QRL and NRL staff will attend the Townsville NAIDOC March on Friday, July 7, to demonstrate their support. Unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, QRL commentator will be unable to attend the march as he will be lending his support to the Queensland wheelchair rugby league team during their interstate challenge in Sydney on July 8.

Making the Game More Accessible

Alongside these developments, QRL is also focused on finalizing and analyzing a cost-of-game survey, aimed at reviewing the costs to clubs, their revenue, and their expenses, and exploring ways to create efficiencies. The goal is to make the game more accessible and affordable for individuals, allowing them to participate and pursue their dreams within the sport, including the opportunity to rise through the pathways and potentially reach the State of Origin level.

Origin Fan Day in Townsville

Speaking of State of Origin, Felsenthal expresses his delight at seeing the fan day for the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons so well supported by the people of Townsville. The event, held at The Strand, created an incredible atmosphere ahead of the series decider. Felsenthal mentions that the fantastic players are sure to receive loud cheers from the crowd as they aim for the series win on Thursday night.

Acknowledgements and Shout-Outs

Felsenthal takes the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the QRL staff, including Jade Johnson and Tina Faulkner in Mackay and Kerri Ritchie in Townsville, for their hard work and support. He also recognizes the efforts of NRL game development officers Tyson Gregory, Shaun Kaufman, and Bede Aquila for facilitating the training and games for All Abilities rugby league in North Queensland. Felsenthal emphasizes that these individuals play a vital role in making rugby league a success and ensuring that everyone can participate in the sport.

Upcoming Key Dates

– July 1: Coming of the Light, a significant day for Torres Strait Islander peoples commemorating the adoption of Christianity in their communities

– July 2-11: NAIDOC Week

– July 29: XXXX League Championship final, Brisbane Red vs. Cairns at Logan Metro Sports Complex

In conclusion, the recent grants from the Queensland Government, co-funded by the QRL, are set to significantly improve facilities for rugby league and other community sports across the state. The focus on promoting Indigenous recognition and celebration during NAIDOC Week is an important step in highlighting the diverse cultural contributions to the game. Moreover, QRL’s commitment to making the game more accessible and affordable for all individuals demonstrates their dedication to ensuring that everyone can live their dream of being involved in rugby league. With such positive developments, the future of rugby league in Queensland looks bright.