‘History within reach’ for stars following QRL season launch
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Queensland’s rugby league stars of today and tomorrow are primed to create their own slice of history as the official countdown begins to the start of the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership seasons.
Representatives from the 15 Hostplus Cup teams and 10 BMD Premiership sides joined QRL partners and community leaders in Brisbane today for the launch of the 2024 QRL statewide competitions season.
Guests gained an insight into the preparations of the competing teams, while QRL chief executive officer Ben Ikin spoke passionately about the “people who bring our statewide competitions to life”.
Ikin acknowledged the enormous contribution of former QRL director Darryl Van de Velde, who passed away on Tuesday.
“Darryl was deeply passionate about Queensland’s development pathways and believed with all his heart that our statewide clubs, and the many good people who work in them, are vital for the game’s continued success,” Ikin said.
With Round 1 fast approaching, the spotlight has turned to the many gifted athletes and coaches who have put in the pre-season toil.
The words ‘history within reach’ – unveiled during today’s launch – will shadow them onto the field in a nod to the historic moments that inspire participants and supporters in communities throughout Queensland.
Moments that are still fresh in the minds of many fans include the achievements of the 2023 Brisbane Tigers, who ended a 32-year premiership drought by claiming their first title in the Cup era, and the Burleigh Bears’ record-breaking seventh women's title.
Season 2024: History within reach
Last year’s competitions also produced the highest number of graduates, with more than 50 players and one coach moving from Queensland statewide competitions to the NRL, NRLW and Super League.
Round 1 of the Hostplus Cup kicks off on March 9, with 150 regular season matches to be played over six months before the start of the finals series in September.
The clash between the Souths Logan Magpies and Wynnum Manly Seagulls opens the BMD Premiership season this Saturday, with the full round to be completed the following weekend.
An expanded BMD Premiership season will feature competition newcomers the Western Clydesdales and Sunshine Coast Falcons.
The Toowoomba-based Clydesdales have drawn the Central Queensland Capras, while the Falcons line up against the Brisbane Tigers in two of the highly-anticipated Round 1 fixtures.
The start of the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership seasons will provide avid Queensland rugby league fans with even more viewing options, from local grounds right across the state through to the streaming options available on Qplus.tv.
Queensland’s best young male and female talent are already lighting up fields in the QRL’s junior representative competitions, with Round 4 of the Mal Meninga Cup, Cyril Connell Cup, Harvey Norman Under 19s and Harvey Norman Under 17s to be played this weekend.
Today’s season launch also highlighted the ongoing support from the QRL’s partnerships family.
Hostplus are proudly entering their third year as sponsor of the senior men’s competition, while BMD have extended their partnership of the women’s competition for a further three years after coming on board in 2022.
The QRL also acknowledged the support of XXXX, Harvey Norman, Westpac, PUMA, McDonalds, Shell V-Power, First Choice Liquor, rebel and TPIL Lawyers.
