QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[Ras]

In the absence of a second/Third tier competition and with the talk of the aforementioned clubs. With the knowledge whatever has been going on in Aus over the last 15 years has rugby on a downward trajectory.


Should the QPR become a 6 team Comp, then a second comp of 6 teams be created?

Working on a finals system where 1-4 in QPR play as they do at the moment then, promotion/relegation system for the bottom two teams in QPR and the top two teams from Comp 2 (maybe a three game series?).

It would considerably make both competitions more competitive. Stopping the blow outs from during the QPR season. Fixing club culture/stigma (like norths and Sunnybank) by getting them more wins. establish a genuine top tier talent pool for a semi professional comp. Allow greater exposure and growth opportunities to the "big fish in small pond" clubs? Maybe put a "western downs" team in the second comp to start?

It just seems over the last 15 years the QPR hasn't been a level playing field in terms of resources and playing talent with the results backing this up. There's no wonder that Norths and Sunnybank can't field a 4th or even 3rd grade team if they're getting pummeled throughout the year. This seems to provide a step forward for the "QPR" in terms of quality and professionalism and also positive results for the clubs struggling every year or that would benefit from greater exposure.

 

[JRugby2]

In the absence of a second/Third tier competition and with the talk of the aforementioned clubs. With the knowledge whatever has been going on in Aus over the last 15 years has rugby on a downward trajectory.


Should the QPR become a 6 team Comp, then a second comp of 6 teams be created?

Working on a finals system where 1-4 in QPR play as they do at the moment then, promotion/relegation system for the bottom two teams in QPR and the top two teams from Comp 2 (maybe a three game series?).

It would considerably make both competitions more competitive. Stopping the blow outs from during the QPR season. Fixing club culture/stigma (like norths and Sunnybank) by getting them more wins. establish a genuine top tier talent pool for a semi professional comp. Allow greater exposure and growth opportunities to the "big fish in small pond" clubs? Maybe put a "western downs" team in the second comp to start?

It just seems over the last 15 years the QPR hasn't been a level playing field in terms of resources and playing talent with the results backing this up. There's no wonder that Norths and Sunnybank can't field a 4th or even 3rd grade team if they're getting pummeled throughout the year. This seems to provide a step forward for the "QPR" in terms of quality and professionalism and also positive results for the clubs struggling every year or that would benefit from greater exposure.

Rugby isn't big enough in Brisbane to support this. Clubs aren't on even kiel with each other for a myriad of reasons - mostly off-field bleeding to on field results. I don't see how this changes anything from a quality of professionalism perspective at all honestly.

And I know the western downs suggestion was just an throw away suggestion - but it's been mentioned a few times so lets just put it to bed.

Logistically, it's as about as close to impossible as you can get. The Western Downs region to put it delicately - is fucking huge - and outside of the 2 Toowoomba clubs the average travel time for teams is about 2 hours every 2nd week to play away games. For Roma and St George its more like 4-5 hours. Amazingly despite this, it's also highly competitive with the best players in the region being fairly evenly spread across the clubs.

This means if you were to pick your best players, and have them compete week on week in Brisbane, 2 training sessions, build club culture - all of it - you'd be asking a lot of people to completely uproot their lives for 9 months of the year in pursuit of what is still an amateur rugby competition.

 

[Wilson]

The problem with any proposal to expand/reduce/reorganize the comp at the moment is the same - QPR does not exist in isolation and there is so much up in the air around a potential third tier right now. What ends up happening at a national level their will potentially have massive ramifications on the comp here and making actual moves (as opposed to preparing options) without a clear plan being laid down from RA will be largely impossible.

Personally I'd love to see a future where there was something like a 16 SEQ comp with 4 conferences of 4 - Sunshine coast, Gold Coast, and Brisbane 1 and 2 (could be North/South, East/West or something other split). It adds teams in growth areas, minimizes the travel burden and maintains traditional rivalries while hopefully building new geographical ones. But it's also entirely pie in the sky right now, coming with it's own set of challenges and issues and under certain third tier/national club comps it would be just about impossible to ever get up.

 

[The Whisperer]

Have they? Or you just hearing this from a friend of a friend who knows a bloke who works with the canteen convener?

Yes they have. It was one part of the reasoning to upgrade all facilities at Caboolture. They want to be the next QPR club and as mismatch has said they have been very vocal about it.

God forbid people wanting to expand the game. Shame on us

 

[JRugby2]

Yes they have. It was one part of the reasoning to upgrade all facilities at Caboolture. They want to be the next QPR club and as mismatch has said they have been very vocal about it.

God forbid people wanting to expand the game. Shame on us

Just because you're well intentioned doesn't mean your free from critique. This isn't an echo chamber.

 

[PhilClinton]

Reality is - I don't think QPR or any decision makers across rugby in Australia who have expansion in mind will be making any moves until 2026 at least, pending the outcome of the BIL tour.

If the Wallabies go alright, there will be a natural bump in player numbers which would then likely see some formal plans coming up to capitalise on expansion on the back end of that tour and leading into the home RWC.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Rugby isn't big enough in Brisbane to support this. Clubs aren't on even kiel with each other for a myriad of reasons - mostly off-field bleeding to on field results. I don't see how this changes anything from a quality of professionalism perspective at all honestly.

And I know the western downs suggestion was just an throw away suggestion - but it's been mentioned a few times so lets just put it to bed.

Logistically, it's as about as close to impossible as you can get. The Western Downs region to put it delicately - is fucking huge - and outside of the 2 Toowoomba clubs the average travel time for teams is about 2 hours every 2nd week to play away games. For Roma and St George its more like 4-5 hours. Amazingly despite this, it's also highly competitive with the best players in the region being fairly evenly spread across the clubs.

This means if you were to pick your best players, and have them compete week on week in Brisbane, 2 training sessions, build club culture - all of it - you'd be asking a lot of people to completely uproot their lives for 9 months of the year in pursuit of what is still an amateur rugby competition.

In line with what you've touched on, I'm skeptical of how much player appetite there is for more travel time for what is social footy for 99% of them. I'm sure the club itself is keen, it's good for them.

Downs Rugby punches far above its weight because social sport is THE thing to do on the weekends.

A remarkably high amount of players are "crook" or "helping a mate move house" from inside the Regatta or Story Bridge Hotel whenever it's time to play Bond away.

 

[Mismatch]

Reality is - I don't think QPR or any decision makers across rugby in Australia who have expansion in mind will be making any moves until 2026 at least, pending the outcome of the BIL tour.

If the Wallabies go alright, there will be a natural bump in player numbers which would then likely see some formal plans coming up to capitalise on expansion on the back end of that tour and leading into the home RWC.

Agree mate

But also expansion would be cool though

 

[Quicktapsonly]

Are we talking about the same USC? https://uscrugby.com.au/

USC is a university that has next to no association with the rugby club. Plenty of diverse interest groups among their student cohort too so seeing them post about their Quidditch club on instagram once or twice is nothing to read into.

What you can read into however, is that no club on the Sunshine Coast wants to join QPR.

I'd go as far as saying that there are no clubs outside of QPR in QLD or NNSW that want to join at present. It's an absolute non-issue and a touch funny honestly. Everyone has great ideas about how much better it would be for QPR, and yet no consideration for what it means for the club(s) joining.

The previous Noosa rugby president was very keen on working towards it.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

Expansion or providing better pathways will create growth in new or existing regions. Hence, why AFL and rugby league have been tweaking their pathways and structures recently.

People just want to see the game grow mate.

doesnt have to grow BUT NEEDS TO
1. Be in a strong enough position to support / host the talent being created through junior and school programs
2. keep past player/ admins/ refs etc etc engaged in the game
3. continue to develop a good pool of talent to be called up for higher honours - competition for places generates quality.
4. maybe just maybe generate a bit of cash for the greater good (TV rights maybe????)

 

[noknowledgeatall]

In the absence of a second/Third tier competition and with the talk of the aforementioned clubs. With the knowledge whatever has been going on in Aus over the last 15 years has rugby on a downward trajectory.


Should the QPR become a 6 team Comp, then a second comp of 6 teams be created?

Working on a finals system where 1-4 in QPR play as they do at the moment then, promotion/relegation system for the bottom two teams in QPR and the top two teams from Comp 2 (maybe a three game series?).

It would considerably make both competitions more competitive. Stopping the blow outs from during the QPR season. Fixing club culture/stigma (like norths and Sunnybank) by getting them more wins. establish a genuine top tier talent pool for a semi professional comp. Allow greater exposure and growth opportunities to the "big fish in small pond" clubs? Maybe put a "western downs" team in the second comp to start?

It just seems over the last 15 years the QPR hasn't been a level playing field in terms of resources and playing talent with the results backing this up. There's no wonder that Norths and Sunnybank can't field a 4th or even 3rd grade team if they're getting pummeled throughout the year. This seems to provide a step forward for the "QPR" in terms of quality and professionalism and also positive results for the clubs struggling every year or that would benefit from greater exposure.

wouldnt players move on out if their team is relegated? some egos have to be in the top tier regardless of results.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

wouldnt players move on out if their team is relegated? some egos have to be in the top tier regardless of results.

Relegating current QPR clubs to a different tier could inadvertently solidify any stigma that exists.

A player currently going to a club that hasn't seen much success will at least get to showcase their talent against the top teams in the QPR's existing format or have a crack at a higher grade. Splitting the QPR removes both of those potential incentives.

 

[JRugby2]

The previous Noosa rugby president was very keen on working towards it.

Noosa is a great club with a lot of great people there but I think even the most headstrong there would acknowledge that becoming a premier club is a big dream becoming bigger.

One of the biggest challengers they face is affordable housing in the area. To be even semi competitive, players would need to move up to the coast (otherwise from Brisbane it's a 2 hour drive to and from training twice a week). Hard to field a few competitive senior rugby sides if no-one under 30 can afford to live there.

 

[Interested Viewer]

Relegating current QPR clubs to a different tier could inadvertently solidify any stigma that exists.

A player currently going to a club that hasn't seen much success will at least get to showcase their talent against the top teams in the QPR's existing format or have a crack at a higher grade. Splitting the QPR removes both of those potential incentives.

Regardless of what we all wish it were the QPR is a pathway league to either Super or overseas opportunity be it professional or semi pro level.

The QRU IMHO should be working to make it as equal and competitive as possible creating a system where some clubs have and others don't does not help the overall ecosystem.

A points system similar to the Shute shield is a good idea as we should all be in the business of raising all rugby clubs in Brisbane not cannibalising each other so we can rule over the ashes.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

Regardless of what we all wish it were the QPR is a pathway league to either Super or overseas opportunity be it professional or semi pro level.

The QRU IMHO should be working to make it as equal and competitive as possible creating a system where some clubs have and others don't does not help the overall ecosystem.

A points system similar to the Shute shield is a good idea as we should all be in the business of raising all rugby clubs in Brisbane not cannibalising each other so we can rule over the ashes.

Why do we have to be a feeder to other operations? ( other than the Reds)

Why cant we get our heads out of our assess and make the Hospital Cup the "magical third tier" we all reckon Aussie rugby needs. Be a stand alone destination program that looks after the plethora of quality kids we develop right here. (and if there is a need or spot then drag some in from other aussie comps).

If we want a great Wallabies (and Reds) we need to fill spots in the development pathways by eligible players. (Have a look at the Drua- every player eligible for Fiji Test team).

Think BIG and INNOVATIVE or we can keep doing what we are and probably wither.

 

[JRugby2]

Regardless of what we all wish it were the QPR is a pathway league to either Super or overseas opportunity be it professional or semi pro level.

The QRU IMHO should be working to make it as equal and competitive as possible creating a system where some clubs have and others don't does not help the overall ecosystem.

A points system similar to the Shute shield is a good idea as we should all be in the business of raising all rugby clubs in Brisbane not cannibalising each other so we can rule over the ashes.

It should feed a national third tier, not the Reds.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

It should feed a national third tier, not the Reds.

The ARU has not shown any intention to run a third tier Ie like the old NRC. Maybe because they are broke and run the place into the ground.
They have spent on all sorts of things over the past 20 years that has eaten away the nest egg of hosting the 2003 world cup.

Time to look after our own.

 

[Wilson]

The ARU has not shown any intention to run a third tier Ie like the old NRC. Maybe because they are broke and run the place into the ground.
They have spent on all sorts of things over the past 20 years that has eaten away the nest egg of hosting the 2003 world cup.

Time to look after our own.

If you think that RA aren't doing it because they're broke how do you expect the QRU to afford it all on their own?

 

[JRugby2]

RA announced the intention to bring back a third tier for 2025 comp last week

 

[noknowledgeatall]

If you think that RA aren't doing it because they're broke how do you expect the QRU to afford it all on their own?

It was stated earlier that the Reds are promoting that they are profitable the last few years. I think circa 2 million a year.

But it is not about the Reds doing it all, I suggest the Hospital Cup stand alone in a business sense. Have its own board etc as a model that Reds can have an equal say / seat at the table if they want.