League has a problem in Queensland
Worse still, not only was the request denied but it was also followed by a kick in the backside with the line that the ARLC did not consider that the Clydesdale’s participation in the Queensland Cup “was in the best interests of the game”.
Mark that one down as strike one.
Then, the NRL knocked back a request to contribute funds to a Maroons pre-season training camp.
Strike two.
Finally, last week, the powers that be also rejected a $50,000 plea from Queensland Rugby League to ensure the survival of the historic Foley Shield in
North Queensland. Given the NRL bosses have their gaze transfixed on America at the moment we shouldn’t need to tell them that strike three generally means you’re out.
NRL chair Peter V’Landys also admitted last week that the game “had dropped the ball on … schools” while the AFL had invested heavily in that realm.
In the same interview, V’Landys also hinted at a restructure of funding for country clubs but, given the game now faces the likelihood of potentially expensive legal battles against its states, that may now also be difficult.
Meanwhile, the AFL is sitting back strumming its fingers together, safe in the knowledge that its two Queensland teams seem to be on the cusp of years of positive results while the growth in the grassroots level continues to blossom.
And it’s not just the AFL invaders that the NRL should be worried about.
With the state preparing to host a home Olympics in 2032 every single other major sport on the planet will be clamouring for the eyeballs and participation of Queensland junior sports fans for the next decade.
The time action is now. for meaningful
Rugby league in Queensland is at war on two fronts putting its place as the state’s premier sport under threat.
While Queensland Rugby League and its NSW equivalent are in dispute with the Australian Rugby League Commission after having launched litigation over funding issues, the shadow of the AFL looms large over the Sunshine State.
It is no secret the AFL is pushing for growth in the north of Australia, with the opening round of the 2024 season being held in NSW and Queensland.
The sport has taken off in Queensland as both Brisbane and Gold Coast clubs push to potentially play finals.
The rising presence of the rival football code is why QRL chief executive Ben Ikin said that sorting the funding issues was imperative to the future of rugby league.
“The AFL is desperately trying to close the gap through significant investment, which is why the QRL is pushing hard for the ARLC to do the same,” Ikin said.
He said his job was to ensure the NRL stayed the No.1 competition in Queensland.
“Rugby league is easily the most popular sport in Queensland when you combine growing participation in schools and community clubs with the enormous footprint of our statewide competitions (and) throw in four NRL teams, three NRLW teams and two State of Origin teams,” Ikin said. “Rugby league is in pretty good shape – and that’s before you include the noncontact versions of our game.
“We have a thriving group of school competitions across all ages, the network of schools that now run elite programs is more significant than it has ever been.
“The work that Andrew Peach, former principal of Marsden High – which, in itself, is a great rugby league school – what he has been able to achieve since he stepped into the NRL is to focus on schools – it has been magnificent.
“Plenty of healthy, thriving competitions in schools and the schools are now considered part of that elite pathway.”
As the NRL continues to expand the elite competition, its not surprising it first looks into Queensland.
“The QRL is very proud of the fact that when the ARLC wanted to expand, they chose one of Queensland’s most famous clubs, the Redcliffe Dolphins,” Ikin said.
“It’s not surprising to me that the two most logical candidates to expand the game again come from out Host Plus Cup – that is the Brisbane Tigers and the PNG Hunters.”