Toowoomba invited to Central Championships
RUGBY LEAGUE: After years on the outside the up and comers of rugby league in Toowoomba will now have their chance to shine on a representative level.
Young talent pathways through rugby league in Toowoomba received the huge boost with the Toowoomba Clydesdales being invited to the Central Division Championships for the U18s and U20s categories.
The move was met with applause from TRL chairman Brian Gilroy, who said was a tremendous opportunity for players to get their names out in the eye of rep selectors.
“It’s exciting for the league. Players and team officials get a chance to get involved in rep football and they can go on and play for a Queensland side,” he said.
“It gives them the chance to play more footy at a higher level.”
The carnival will take place in Gladstone on June 30 and July 1, with Toowoomba set to compete against Bundaberg, Gladstone, South Burnett, Roma, Central Highlands, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and an Outback team.
As it stands, players who have competed in more than one game for the Western Mustangs throughout the year will be ineligible.
With a strong U18s competition playing out at the moment and a host of young players in A-grade, Gilroy said the teams running out for the Clydesdales would prove to be extremely comit petitive.
“The different teams in the under 18s are strong, and there are a few good sides in there,” he said.
“We have 40-odd players under 20 that have played A-grade this year.”