QUEENSLAND RUGBY FOOTBALL LEAGUE LIMITED QUEENSLAND RUGBY FOOTBALL LEAGUE LIMITED FOOTBALL QUEENSLAND RUGBY ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL 2018 2018 ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS 1,359,100 SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS ON QRL PLATFORMS. 17,220 MAROON MEMBERSHIP INCREASED BY 22%. 1.1M PEAK TELEVISION AUDIENCE FOR THE INAUGURAL HOLDEN 61,963 WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN MATCH. TOTAL NUMBER OF PLAYERS REGISTERED TO PLAY CLUB RUGBY LEAGUE IN QUEENSLAND. 220,559 5763 TOTAL NUMBER OF FANS WHO ATTENDED HOLDEN STATE OF ORIGIN SERIES MATCHES IN MELBOURNE, SYDNEY AND BRISBANE. OUR REGISTERED FEMALE CLUB PARTICIPATION NUMBERS GREW BY 24%. $3,741,428 THE FEMALE FACILITIES FUND ISSUED SIGNIFICANT GRANTS TO EIGHT RUGBY LEAGUE PROJECTS. CONTENTS OUR LEADERS 6 DELIVERING OUR GAME 38 Board of Directors 6 Partners 40 Chairman’s Message 7 Digital 41 Managing Director’s Message 8 Media and Communications 42 A Word From The Coach 9 Maroon Membership 43 Brand & Marketing 44 A FRAMEWORK FOR ALL 10 Television Ratings 46 Financial Snapshot 12 Attendances 47 Government Partnerships 13 QAS Rugby League Programs 14 A COMMUNITY FOCUS 48 Pathways 15 Volunteers 50 Player Development Framework 16 Special Events 51 Stakeholder Forums 17 Wellbeing & Education 52 QRL History Committee 53 PLAYING OUR GAME 18 Vale 53 Participation 20 Women & Girls 21 REPRESENT - ‘THE 54 Indigenous 22 QUEENSLAND WAY’ Holden State of Origin Series 24 Queensland Maroons 56 Intrust Super Cup 26 Harvey Norman Qld Women 58 Hastings Deering Colts 28 XXXX Queensland Residents 60 Mal Meninga Cup 29 Queensland Under 20 61 QRL State Carnival 30 Queensland Under 18 62 QRL State Junior Championships 31 Queensland Under 16 63 QRL Senior Premiers 32 Queensland Murri Under 16 64 Outback 33 XXXX Queensland Rangers 65 Match Officials 34 QUEENSLAND RUGBY Awards 35 THE FUTURE 66 FOOTBALL LEAGUE LIMITED Milestones 36 On Field 66 83 CASTLEMAINE STREET, Retiring Class 37 Off Field 67 MILTON QLD 4064 LOCKED BAG 3000, GOVERNANCE & FINANCIALS 68 PADDINGTON QLD 4064 P +61 7 3367 6000 F +61 7 3367 6085 E [email protected] W QRL.COM.AU OUR LEADERS OUR LEADERS BOARD OF CHAIRMAN’S DIRECTORS MESSAGE I AM HONOURED TO SUBMIT THIS REPORT What excites me is the number of players Our future is bright, and for that we are indebted AFTER A GROUND-BREAKING YEAR OF progressing from the Intrust Super Cup to the to our proud partners, including XXXX, Auswide ACHIEVEMENTS. NRL and State of Origin arena. Bank, Intrust Super, ISC Sport, Harvey Norman and Hastings Deering, who all share our passion Our results have been made possible by the work POSITIVE PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIPS for the game. of many, including my fellow Directors, the entire While we captured some great results in 2018, team at the QRL, and of course the wider rugby we did so with heavy hearts following the passing We will be bold and innovative, with a focus on league community. of Terry Mackenroth. improving male and female participation and retention rates. MAROONS PROVIDE INSPIRATION As a former Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Terry We have said farewell to several Queensland brought a unique skill set and vast knowledge To do this, we must constantly look at different rugby league icons over the past few seasons. and experience to the Board. ways to deliver the game, whether it be non- contact formats and new entry-level programs for Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk Terry served as a director for 11 years and among those taking up the sport for the first time. are among an illustrious group of Maroons who his many achievements, he was instrumental have worn the state’s colours for the final time. in the establishment of the Australian Rugby As custodians of the game, we must be better League Commission in 2012. as well, and I firmly believe we have made Their commitment to the team and the some outstanding progress this year with the Queensland cause has been immense; and Few could work a room like Terry and he is dearly realignment of the Senior Leadership Team and on behalf of the QRL, we congratulate these missed by all. several key appointments. outstanding rugby league players and role models on extraordinary careers. His extensive contribution has provided a strong We look forward to 2019 with the knowledge foundation; and I’m encouraged by the early that additional ARLC funding will enable further This year’s Holden State of Origin Series was an impact of new directors Renita Garard and Ben investment into our three QRL Regions via a extremely close affair with little separating two Ikin. broad range of projects and initiatives. quality teams. Part of our charter is to build healthy relationships Head coach Kevin Walters, his support team and with stakeholders and we would not be able to the selectors set a high standard for which we are deliver the key components of our game without most grateful for. the backing of the Australian Rugby League Commission and NRL clubs. Bruce Hatcher QRL Chairman VICTORY REINFORCES PATHWAY STRENGTH It was a privilege to watch Queensland lift the We acknowledge the support of Queensland- Under 20s Origin shield for the first time. based clubs the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys, as well Coach Justin Hodges did an outstanding job as the Melbourne Storm. with this team, which hit the ground running with precision and enthusiasm following the QAS With regards to the ARLC, we’re pleased to share camp in January. that the state bodies now have a voice at the table to understand the financial decision making The QAS Rugby League program is pivotal to our of the NRL. future success, and with more and more of our young male and female players benefiting from THE FUTURE DIRECTION exposure to this program, we are excited about When I reflect on 2018, I look back at some of my the future. own positive experiences at local league grounds BACK (LEFT TO RIGHT)- Bruce Prescott, Brad Tallon, Darryl Van de Velde, Danny McGuire, Leigh Anderson. around the state. FRONT- Renita Garard, Bruce Hatcher, Robert Moore, Ben Ikin. A primary focus within our strategic plan is the creation and sustainability of elite pathways From watching regular Intrust Super Cup fixtures, and high-performance programs for players and junior league games and grand finals of the Mal coaches. Meninga Cup and Hastings Deering Colts, the level of talent and spirit is inspiring. 6 7 OUR LEADERS OUR LEADERS MANAGING A WORD FROM DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE THE COACH I’M PROUD TO SAY THAT 2018 WAS A With a young squad, Kevin has embraced new SHARING OUR TARGET FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD LIKE TO as they say – we were burdened by a long injury That’s exactly how it panned out for our leading SUCCESSFUL YEAR WHICH WILL SET methods and has already freshened up his Our goal is for rugby league to be the No. 1 sport ACKNOWLEDGE THE EFFORTS OF THE list at the start of our camp. female players who grabbed their opportunity UP OUR GAME FOR A STRONG, SECURE coaching and management personnel ahead of in Queensland. PLAYERS WHO GO TO EXTRAORDINARY with both hands this year in the inaugural Holden FUTURE. the 2019 series. LENGTHS FOR THE TEAM AND THE PEOPLE It certainly had a bearing on our preparation and Women’s State of Origin match. We believe we have the product, vision and OF QUEENSLAND. moving forward, it was a situation that we can all This excellent publication will highlight the many NUMBERS HIGHLIGHT ACHIEVEMENTS desire to achieve this target across a range of learn from. A NEW CHALLENGE AWAITS on-field success stories as well as key progress Our achievements were many and varied in metrics. To our team staff, the QRL, Major Partners and Bring on 2019 ... I can’t wait. made off the field. 2018. fans – I thank you for your commitment to the FAREWELL TO OUR GREATS As we have already touched on, increasing our Maroons and rugby league in Queensland. It has been an absolute pleasure to work Together with our High-Performance personnel, It has once again been a pleasure to work From bringing six matches to remote and rural participation and retention numbers is a priority. alongside Cameron and Billy, two of we’re working hard to ensure our Queensland alongside my fellow Directors, led admirably Queensland through the ‘Get in the Game’ THE 2018 ORIGIN SERIES Queensland’s finest ever players. teams will be well prepared for next year. by Chairman Bruce Hatcher; as well as our Country Week initiative, to the excellent gains That’s why the game has invested heavily in the Credit where credit is due – congratulations to innovative Senior Leadership Team and our made with the Maroon Membership program. Player Development Framework, an exciting New South Wales on a well-deserved series Both are proud and humble Queenslanders who I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to dedicated Head Office and Regional staff. whole-of-game initiative that aims to ensure victory. have given so much to the jersey and I’m sure try and win back the Origin shield after this year’s I’m proud to touch on some of these rugby league is a sport of choice for more their achievements will inspire many more future close loss. DRIVING OUR CORE BUSINESS achievements, which have been driven by the families. They played a smart and aggressive game to Maroons. As we reflect on the year that was, our core work of many, including directors, staff, clubs, open the series. I thought we were tremendous It’s an exciting challenge, but one we will be business should be the focal point of discussions.