QUEENSLAND RUGBY FOOTBALL LEAGUE LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT SNAPSHOT 60,857 4646 The number of players registered The number of registered female with a Queensland club in 2017. club players this year increased by 21%. $151,000 Revenue generated by clubs that hosted Country Week matches in Round 20 of the Intrust Super Cup. 11,260 961 14,401 The Intrust Super Cup decider The overall number of Intrust Super between PNG Hunters and Cup games played by members Sunshine Coast Falcons attracted a of the 2017 Melbourne Storm and Maroon Membership grew record grand final crowd. North Queensland Cowboys Grand significantly in 2017. Final teams. 39,000 The number of people who attended the Maroon Festival in 1,307,508 Brisbane in the lead up to State of The number of social media followers on QRL platforms. Origin Game I. 2 3 OUR COMMUNITY 52 LOOKING FORWARD TO 2018 74 Volunteers 54 On Field 74 CONTENTS Acknowledgement 55 Off Field 75 Charities & Donations 56 Wellbeing & Education 57 GOVERNANCE & FINANCIALS 76 Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation 58 Country Week 59 Fan Day 60 OUR LEADERS 6 DELIVERING OUR GAME 40 QRL History Committee 61 Board of Directors 6 Digital 42 Chairman’s Message 7 Marketing & Brand 44 OUR REPRESENTATIVE 62 Managing Director’s Message 8 Maroon Membership 46 TEAMS The Coach: Kevin Walters 9 Maroon Festival 47 XXXX Queensland Maroons 64 Attendances 48 XXXX Queensland Residents 66 OUR FRAMEWORK 10 Media & Communications 49 Queensland Under 20 67 Renita Garard 12 Television Ratings 50 Queensland Under 18 68 Government Partnerships 13 Partners 51 Queensland Under 16 69 Club Health Checks & Facility 14 Queensland Murri Under 16 70 Mapping XXXX Queensland Rangers 71 QAS Rugby League Progvg rams 15 Queensland Women 72 Pathways 16 Queensland Universities 73 QRL Leadership Conference 17 PLAYING OUR GAME 18 A New Junior League 20 Participation 21 QUEENSLAND RUGBY FOOTBALL Women & Girls 22 LEAGUE LIMITED Indigenous 23 83 CASTLEMAINE STREET, MILTON Holden State of Origin Series 24 QLD 4064 Intrust Super Cup 26 LOCKED BAG 3000, PADDINGTON FOGS Colts Challenge 28 QLD 4064 FOGS Under 20s Statewide 29 Mal Meninga Cup 30 P +61 7 3367 6000 QRL State Carnival 31 F +61 7 3367 6085 State Junior Championships 32 E [email protected] QRL Senior Premiers 33 W QRL.COM.AU Awards 34 Retiring Class 36 Milestones 37 PHOTOS: SMP IMAGES, NRL Match Officials 38 PHOTOS, QRL MEDIA, SCOTT’S 2017 Vale 39 SHOTZ PHOTOGRAPHY, MARC GRIMWADE PHOTOGRAPHY, ANNE MILLER 4 5 OUR LEADERS OUR LEADERS BOARD OF CHAIRMAN’S DIRECTORS MESSAGE It has been an honour to have prosper because of the set of values and holds. behaviours they adhere to. We are privileged to have Intrust Super expand served as the Chairman of the their support over the next five years, and we Queensland Rugby League this Nothing is ever too much for them, from can look back with pride as we farewell Suncorp, year. engaging with local communities to helping the Canterbury and Star Entertainment. future stars of our game. I am thrilled to welcome ISC as official apparel I would like to extend my sincere thanks and partner of the Queensland Maroons for the appreciation to the Board and QRL staff for their VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE FOUNDATIONS next four years, as well as Hastings Deering who support and hard work throughout the season. Our volunteers are largely responsible for the widespread success of rugby league. are right behind our new statewide Under 20s competition. It has been a pleasure to have worked alongside such a committed group of people, all striving They create the opportunity for boys and girls Finally, we are indebted to our fans for the collectively towards the common goal of serving and men and women to participate in this great passion and colour they bring to the grounds and developing our great game. game. Thank you for your very hard work which does not go unnoticed. each week, as well as those who service the game in various management and staff roles A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS I have experienced many wonderful moments under the QRL banner. When I reflect on 2017, I am extremely proud of where friendships and relationships have the significant milestones we have achieved. developed around the mutual interest of rugby We can move forward with confidence with league. a new Strategic Plan. Our aim is to grow Renita Garard OAM became our first female participation numbers, increase our volunteer director, adding a new dimension to our Congratulations to those who were recognised network and provide great rugby league operations through her on and off-field at the NRL’s Annual Community Awards in pathways so that our boys and girls can excel experience in elite sport. Sydney. and become the good citizens of tomorrow. She will strive to further develop women’s rugby league, which is on the rise following Australia’s GOVERNANCE REFORM A KEY CHANGE World Cup win and confirmation of the inaugural With the QRL receiving considerable funding NRL Women’s Premiership in 2018. through the game’s broadcast deal, it is essential that the underlying governance and structure of Front (from left): Robert Moore, Bruce Hatcher, Renita Garard OAM. the QRL is sound, progressive and accountable The wonderful success of the PNG Hunters in Bruce Hatcher Bruce Prescott, Brad Tallon, Leigh Anderson, Terry Mackenroth, Danny McGuire, Darryl Van de Velde. Back: winning their first Intrust Super Cup premiership for the investment of this funding on a state- QRL Chairman capped off another big year for our premier wide basis. statewide competition. I am pleased that we have made significant Off the field, years of planning came to fruition advancements in these areas with the with the inaugural Maroon Festival, which support of the entire QRL Board, ably led by brought the stars of the game together with Managing Director Robert Moore who has been fans in a fabulous celebration of all things instrumental in delivering this success. Queensland. SIGNING OFF ON 2017 VALUES UNDERPIN ORIGIN WIN I would like to take this opportunity to thank If ever leadership, courage and teamwork were our Major Partners in 2017 – XXXX, Suncorp, required to transform a competitive team into a Canterbury, Star Entertainment and Intrust winning team, this was it. Super. From losing Game I on our hallowed turf to the Pleasingly, XXXX has re-committed as the official sheer guts and determination of winning Game beer of the Maroons and has extended its II in Sydney under great adversity, this was an support of the game across all levels. incredible performance by the XXXX Queensland Maroons. By the end of the new deal, this commitment will have reached 31 years, a truly wonderful We will never forget the winning goal kicked by association that has assisted the game Johnathan Thurston under such physical and immensely. mental duress. As we transition into a new era of partnerships, These young men form a special group who we are genuinely excited about what the future 6 7 OUR LEADERS OUR LEADERS MANAGING DIRECTOR’S THE COACH: MESSAGE KEVIN WALTERS On behalf of the Queensland LEADERSHIP DRIVES SUCCESS new growth opportunities, as well as reaching I am honoured to submit this You’ve got to really wear that jersey with the performance of their team. That wasn’t the Full credit must go to XXXX Queensland out to those in need of a helping hand. distinction and pride, and I felt all of the guys case in Game I. Rugby League (QRL), I am report after being involved in Maroons coach Kevin Walters and his players, did that over the course of the series. proud to bring you our Annual who displayed immense character and skill In a significant step for the game this year, such an incredible 2017 Holden We were all as disappointed as the Queensland Report for 2017. to record a 2-1 series victory. Given the high we saw the introduction of a female Under 15 State of Origin series. It was a privilege to work with the next fans were. But they got rewarded in Game III turnover of personnel and the unavailability of squad to our Queensland Academy of Sport generation of Queensland players coming with a top-class performance from our players. several proven big-match players, this was one rugby league program. through. It has been another strong year for the Firstly, I would like to thank the players who of the great Origin performances. This makes every Queenslander feel really Queensland Rugby League and these pages put in a fabulous effort throughout the series, The Government’s new three-year $210,000 To get to Suncorp Stadium for a decider, and good, and it’s a feeling that lasts right up until will showcase the many on-field highlights as as well as my staff who did everything in their The leadership from the coach and senior investment into ‘Get in the Game’ Country then for the team to play the way they did the next series gets underway. well as the key advancements made off the power to ensure the best preparation possible. players was simply outstanding, and with this Week has also made a major contribution to in such an important game, was extremely field. in mind, I would encourage participants game- the game in regional and outback Queensland. satisfying and a moment I will treasure forever. I would also like to acknowledge the support I AN EYE ON THE FUTURE wide to follow their high standards. Our upcoming QAS Emerging camps are very It has been a pleasure to work alongside have received from the QRL Board of Directors, And in a further boost for grassroots clubs important for the long-term future and success my fellow Directors, led by Chairman Bruce QRL staff, sponsors and of course the fans ACKNOWLEDGING OUR ORIGIN We are delighted to have extended Kevin’s which require significant upgrades to of the Maroons.