A road to quality
THE Queensland Rugby League’s country week is an outstanding initiative given the dearth of quality football in remote regions of the state.
Top international teams used to undertake comprehensive tours of the state, playing matches against regional outfits, with upsets of the visiting Test teams becoming part of the local league lore.
While those days are long gone, the passion for the game has not diminished.
Part of the QCup appeal is its many regional teams.
But even these are in major population centres and the QRL must be hailed for taking matches to remote centres.
Games will be at Julia Creek, Winton, Mundubbera, St George, Bamaga and Clermont this week, four of them hosting for the first time.
The exercise must be costing the league a motza but every cent is worth it.
And it will help deliver much-needed funds to the towns, many of them struggling after the mining boom dried up.
QRL managing director Robert Moore said the games deliver considerable economic and social benefits.
“Last year’s round generated $104,000 for the clubs and local leagues who hosted matches, and many of the clubs were able to make significant improvements to their facilities,” Moore said.
“To be able to take the Intrust Super Cup to four regional areas for the first time this year is a big achievement for the game.
“This wonderful initiative wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Queensland Government and the NRL, as well as staff from the QRL football department who have undertaken a huge logistical exercise in conjunction with regional communities and Intrust Super Cup clubs to get the games off the ground.”
But it won’t just be a hit and run mission for the league, with six NRL ambassadors, including former Titans David Shillington and Nathan Friend, engaging with the local communities.
Shillington, who became an NRL ambassador this year after his injury-enforced retirement from the sport, will head to Clermont for the clash between the Central Capras and Redcliffe Dolphins.
Friend, originally from Grantham on the Darling Downs, will head to Winton for the Ipswich-Townsville game.