QLD media

The impact of COVID-19 is far and wide, creating lots of questions about rugby league, in particular the Intrust Super Cup, and its future. Here are some recently asked questions, answered.

Will there be a SEQ Competition for Intrust Super Cup Clubs in 2020?

The QRL along with the Clubs in the South East corner are looking at the possibility of playing a shortened competition against each other. With the Govt restrictions this wouldn’t happen to late July or early August. The ability to have large crowds at the venues will also impact the Clubs decision to play in 2020.

Will the reduction in revenue from the NRL and ARL impact on Intrust Super Cup teams in 2020?

Most likely, however any impact is unknown as the NRL is yet to finalise its broadcast deal. What we do know is that the ARLC fully understands the role and relevance of the Intrust Super Cup. Our clubs met with the new chairman and acting CEO this week and were pleased with the initial discussions.  We have been providing assistance to all of our Intrust Super Cup clubs in developing their financial strategies to help them get through this challenging time and to set them up for the future.

Is there a danger Intrust Super Cup clubs with limited finances may not survive?

It’s a challenging time for all sports and industries, no doubt. The Intrust Super Cup clubs are going to have to adjust their business models to accommodate a possible reduction in revenue. This may include a reduction in elements of their cost base, including resourcing or a reduction in player payments, for example.

Could the reduction in funding lead to a reduced, shorter competition in 2021, or a reduction in the number of teams?

We’re working with all 14 clubs and our intention is to continue to deliver statewide competitions. In terms of the length of competitions, it’s too early to speculate on any possible outcomes.  We’ll be guided by the findings of a newly-created working group which is seeking feedback from our clubs on a range of factors associated with the competition, including length, pre-game travel and overnight accommodation. 

Is the women’s competition financially secure?

Female participation and the BHP Premiership is of vital importance to the QRL and NRL from a strategic perspective. We’re working diligently to ensure the viability and sustainability of our female programs and competitions. 

Will the Mal Meninga Cup (U18) and Hastings Deerings Colts(U20) competitions revert back to a south east competition to save funds?

Both the Mal Meninga Cup and Hastings Deering Colts have been integral to our development pathways for participants and the structure of these competitions is also being examined by the working group.  

Will the reduction in revenue from the NRL and ARL impact on grassroots clubs?

Community clubs generate their own revenue and obviously some of their traditional income streams have been heavily impacted due to the health pandemic. We are here to support and service all of our community clubs and leagues. We have recently set up cross-regional project teams who will focus on delivering support in key areas, including governance, volunteer engagement, club resources, future participation, competition structures and financial management.

Players from the Intrust Super Cup teams will go head-to-head in the Intrust Super Cup E-sports Challenge from Sunday night.
The players, from the comfort of their own homes, will play the Rugby League Live 4 PlayStation game for their respective teams – taking each other on for gaming bragging rights.

In last nights game the Essential Coffee Burleigh Bears defeated Wynnum Manly 16-0. Bears gamer Sami Sauiluma played a flawless game and was quoted as saying “the Bears are in good shape to go back to back”. The Bears take on Souths Logan this weekend. details to follow
Tune into QRL.com.au or the Intrust Super Cup Facebook page to watch.

Queensland Rugby League will provide ongoing updates below regarding the coronavirus pandemic. 

QRL COVID-19 preparedness and response

Wednesday, March 18 at 2.30pm

The QRL is following a pandemic control plan and continues to adapt responses and protocols as the spread of COVID-19 continues. The QRL is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and following the advice of the Australian Government health authorities and travel directives; and implementing risk mitigation strategies as appropriate. 

Initiation of working from home protocols

Wednesday, March 18 at 2.30pm

This week, the QRL Leadership Team decided that in the interests of employees and the community, that we would direct our valued employees to work from home, indefinitely, from Thursday, March 19. We recently confirmed that our IT infrastructure, tools and systems are sufficiently robust to support the entire organisation working from home. Our offices will be closed from Friday, March 20.  Our online shop – maroonsshop.com – remains open.

These are highly unusual times and as a business community and as Australians, it is important that we come together to support each other. Be assured that all of us at QRL are committed to supporting our community. 

2020 QRL competitions update relating to COVID-19

Tuesday, March 17 at 6.10pm

The Queensland Rugby League can provide an update on the status of its statewide competitions, community football and representative programs following tonight’s board meeting.

After careful consideration in relation to the unfolding COVID-19 situation, the QRL has suspended its statewide competitions and community leagues, effective immediately.

In addition, all junior regional events and state carnivals will be postponed indefinitely.

QRL managing director Robert Moore said the four QRL statewide competitions would be suspended until June 5, and all junior and senior community rugby league until at least the first weekend of May.

While some community competitions are yet to kick-off, the four statewide leagues commenced at the weekend with 25 games played across the Intrust Super Cup, BHP Premiership, Hastings Deering Colts and Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup.

Should circumstances allow, the QRL will work with its clubs to facilitate the return of these four competitions mid-year.

Such a scenario would provide the opportunity for all Intrust Super Cup clubs to play each other once before the scheduled 2020 finals series, in addition to the results from Round 1 fixtures which would stand.

Similar fixture models, in line with the proposed date for the return of premiership games, are currently being looked at for the BHP Premiership, Hastings Deering Colts and Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup.

Moore said the board had considered all aspects of the current situation in consultation with its operations teams and clubs. 

“This public health emergency we’re working through is unprecedented; and the health and safety of our participants is a priority, along with the welfare of Queensland communities,” Moore said.

“The decision to put our statewide competitions, community leagues and representative programs on hold takes into account all the relevant information provided by the National Rugby League, public health authorities and the government.

“Ultimately, it is our responsibility to implement procedures that don’t place players, volunteers, staff and other stakeholders at unnecessary risk.”

Approval for clubs to hold training sessions during this period is an ongoing matter, as the QRL is seeking further advice from its chief medical officer, Dr Roy Saunders, as well as Queensland health authorities.

Statewide competitions clubs briefed

Monday, March 16 at 2pm

All statewide competitions clubs have been briefed by the QRL on the most up-to-date information available.

The QRL Board will convene on Tuesday evening to discuss all rugby league across the state under the QRL’s administration.

Any decisions made during the meeting will be released Wednesday morning. 

PNG Hunters remain in Australia 

Monday, March 16 at 12.30pm

The Papua New Guinea Hunters have remained in Queensland in preparation for the scheduled second round of Intrust Super Cup fixtures this weekend.

PNG opened their season with a thrilling victory over the Souths Logan Magpies yesterday at Davies Park in Brisbane.

Due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation and the impact of border restrictions, the QRL and Hunters administrators have been in regular contact about their immediate participation.

In light of these discussions, the Hunters squad has not returned to Papua New Guinea. 

The QRL said today it would continue to be guided by the NRL and other relevant health authorities, with the QRL Board to meet this week to review all aspects of the current situation.

Kevin Braysher 

Maturity and a happy life away from the field were the key ingredients that helped Jamal Fogarty secure an NRL contract with the Gold Coast Titans. 

A dual premiership winner with the Essential Coffee Burleigh Bears and the reigning Petero Civoniceva Medallist for Intrust Super Cup player of the year, the 26-year-old halfback has never been more prepared to make his mark in the NRL. 

“I think it’s just maturity, to be honest,” Fogarty said when asked why he is more equipped to play NRL now than in 2017 when he made two appearances for the Titans. 

“When I was younger people used to say, ‘you get more mature as you get a bit older’ and at the time I didn’t really believe it. But now that I am that bit older, I just have the understanding and have that self-belief. 

“It’s about knowing your role, knowing what you can do and understanding game-management. Should I kick now? Do I kick a little bit later? Do we need to speed things up or do I need to kick the ball into touch to give my teammates a rest? 

“I think it’s about knowing how Jamal Fogarty plays football and how he plays his best football and understanding that and having that inner confidence to be able to do it.” 

Fogarty is one of only nine players in Bears history to win multiple Intrust Super Cup premierships and credits his four seasons at Burleigh for helping him develop into the player he needed to become to get another shot at the NRL. 

He was also quick to praise the love and support of his wife Kahlia and said his happiness at home was as important as anything else driving him towards success on the field. 

“If it wasn’t for the Burleigh Bears, I wouldn’t have the opportunity that I have at the moment,” he said. 

“My teammates at Burleigh make my job very easy. They understand how I play, and we work hard for one another, but I don’t think any of it is possible without my wife at home who looks after me and my little girls. I think she deserves all the credit because if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be the happy person I am playing footy in a good headspace.” 

Negotiations between Fogarty and the Gold Coast commenced in the days after Burleigh’s 18-16 trial win on February 21. 

Exactly two weeks later the deal was signed, and he fronted up for his first day of training as a Titan on March 9. 

At the Titans he will reunite with dual premiership winning Bears coach Jimmy Lenihan, who was unveiled as Gold Coast assistant coach late last year. 

“I think Jimmy Lenihan knows my game better than I know it myself,” Fogarty said. 

“He gave me a fresh footy brain and some fresh footy eyes and was able to help me see what I was good at. Jimmy understands how each individual plays and the way he brings the best out of each individual is a credit to him. I absolutely love working with Jimmy.” 

Under the terms of his contract, which will see him listed as a development squad player in 2020 before moving into the senior playing squad in 2021, Fogarty will not be available for NRL selection until after June 30. 

It means that while he will train fulltime with the Titans, Bears fans will get to see Jamal for at least the first 14 rounds of the Intrust Super Cup season before he becomes eligible for selection in the NRL. 

“It gives me a bit of time to understand the Titans and what they’re trying to do,” he said. “It will help me learn attacking structures and defensive structures and also just help me get to know guys that I don’t know and build those combinations. 

“It’s good that I’ll get a bit of time for those kinds of things, but also it gives me a chance to keep playing at Burleigh with all those boys who I am really close with and rip into the season. The best way to approach it is rip in at Burleigh, try to put some good performances together and we’ll see how it pans out from there.” 

Burleigh open their season as defending premiers with a grand final rematch against Wynnum Manly Seagulls at 12.10pm this Sunday at Pizzey Park.

Training Details

U/20’s and Reserve Grade – 6.30pm at Bond Pirates (preseason) every Monday and Wednesday.

Player Registration

All new and old players need to go to https://profile.mysideline.com.au/register/clubsearch?criteria=4220&type=&activity=&gender=&agemin=&agemax=&comptype=&source=rugby-league and register for the 2020 season. Once prompted to select the Club you will play with it will give you 3 Burleigh options. You need to enter Burleigh Heads RLFC inc (Gold Coast).

If you played at a different club in 2019 – you will require a transfer – please emailroy@burleighbears.com.au. Players are not covered by insurance until they are registered.

Player Information Form

All new and old players will need to complete the following online form prior to training – https://forms.gle/kYSP6hM5NvJ6bDtYA.

2020 Registration Fees

Seniors (Reserve Grade, A Grade, U/20) – $250

Included in your registration is:

•             Training Apparel –Training Shirt and Shorts

•             Game Day Apparel – Club polo, playing shorts and socks

•             Presentation Night Invitation

•             Club Gym Usage

•             Medical – Strapping, Access to Club Doctor and Injury clinic

•             Insurance & Registration – QRL insurance

•             Leagues Club Membership – 30% discount for players at Club Bistro

By Kevin Braysher

A happy and stable off-season has the Essential Coffee Burleigh Bears primed for the start of their Intrust Super Cup title defence.

Burleigh will enter the 2020 season on March 15 as the defending champions with the majority of the championship winning team back in Bears colours for another year.

Rick Stone’s return to the role of coach has been a smooth transition, with the two-time premiership winning mentor praising the professionalism and leadership of his squad.

“These boys have been terrific to work with,” he said. “Their structures and footy principals are sound, so it’s been really enjoyable working with them.

“We’ve got some good young up-and-coming players and some really good leaders within the group who make sure that they’re not comfortable just staying where they’re at and they want to continue to improve.”

The vast majority of the 2019 premiership winning side ran out for Burleigh’s 18-16 trial win over the Gold Coast Titans at Pizzey Park.

Grand final man of the match Kurtis Rowe scored a double, while skipper Luke Page also went over for a try of his own.

Page will again lead the Bears in 2020, with Jamal Fogarty and Pat Politoni in charge of steering the team around the park.

“It’s a unique leadership combination; Luke Page is our captain and our inspirational leader, while Jamal Fogarty and Pat Politoni are the guys who pull all the strings and manage the team on the park,” Stone said.

“I think everybody loves the way Pagey plays and how he gets the boys to follow him, which is great. His style is terrific, and he probably had one of the best seasons of his career last year. He didn’t get back until January, but he came back jumping around, enthusiastic and ready to play footy again.

“When we start talking about a bit of game planning and figuring out what we’re doing, Fogarty and Politoni are the two boys steering the ship for us. Everybody is pretty comfortable with that arrangement and we’ll be going forward like that.”

The Bears will be without lock Sam Coster for the first four to six weeks of the season due to off-season groin surgery, but otherwise look likely to be at full strength for their grand final rematch with Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round 1.

Stone said the remainder of the pre-season will be about locking in his Round 1 side and continuing to fine-tune their attack. 

“Trials are trails, so you can’t look too far into results, but our boys were hungry and worked hard for each other,” he said of their performance against the Titans.

“Defensively we looked good, we probably need to keep fine tuning our attack, but it was a good solid hit out, we got through it without any injuries and the boys enjoyed themselves.

“They’re pretty comfortable around each other, these lads. They’ve been together for a while and know their jobs well.”

Burleigh’s season kicks off on March 15 at Pizzey Park when they host the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.