Indigenous Advisory Committee /

The role of the committee is to advise and assist the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) to implement inclusive culturally appropriate programs and practices that recognise, support and further develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement and participation at all levels of rugby league.

Members of the committee

Edward Monaei OAM (Chair)

Edward Monaei is an Aboriginal descendant of the Kaurareg Nations from the Torres Strait Islands, and a Meriam descendent from the Comet tribe of Mer Island, Far Eastern Torres Straits. Edward has held the position of Chairman Queensland Rugby League Indigenous Advisory Committee for the past three years and has played an integral role developing sustainable working partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, key stakeholders and the Queensland Government, to further advance the strategic capabilities of Murri Rugby League throughout Queensland. Edward has been instrumental writing the first Queensland Rugby League Reconciliation Action Plan and has championed cultural capability inclusion processes to improve our games business operations throughout the urban, regional and remote Indigenous communities of Queensland.

Edward has 10 years of State Government experiences working within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander portfolio, a recent Graduate in Public Sector Management through the University of Queensland, Edward’s extensive experience add value to the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Advisory Council objective to drive the NRL’s whole of game Reconciliation Action Plan, and the establishment of culturally safe platforms for government agencies to work towards imbedding cultural appropriate practices into their business operations moving forward.

Ben Ikin

Ben Ikin was appointed CEO of the QRL in May 2023, having held several prominent media and commercial roles prior to his arrival.

Ben is also a former professional rugby league footballer who played 150 games in the NRL with the Gold Coast Seagulls, North Sydney Bears and Brisbane Broncos. He represented QLD 17 times, played 2 tests for Australia, and won a premiership with the Brisbane Broncos in the 2000 season.

Following a triumphant playing career, Ben Ikin, who is renowned in football circles as having a great footy intellect, launched himself into a successful media career. He became a regular panel list on the Nine Network’s The Sunday Roast and One HD’s One Week at a Time before joining Fox Sport in 2012. In his role at Fox Sports, Ben provides expert analysis during live match coverage and hosts the weekly entertainment program, NRL 360 with Paul Kent every Monday to Wednesday. The former centre turned five-eighth is now recognised as one of Rugby League’s most established media personalities.

Ben is a two-time Australian representative and was a State of Origin mainstay for the Queensland Maroons, where he first shot to prominence in 1995. Becoming the youngest player ever to debut for the Maroons at the age of 18, a record that still stands today.

He represented his state on 17 occasions and made 150 first grade appearances in the NRL over a decade-long career with Gold Coast Seagulls, North Sydney Bears and Brisbane Broncos.

Along with his Fox Sport duties, Ben is also a rugby league columnist for The Australian and has previously hosted Off the Bench NRL throughout Queensland, a weekly regional radio show syndicated by Crocmedia.

Ben was also previously Football & Performance Director for the Brisbane Broncos until 2023.

Before moving into a full time role in the media, Ben worked for 10 years in various senior commercial roles in the property and construction industry. Additionally, he was a board member of the Queensland Rugby League and the Men of League Foundation. He is passionate about delivering game models, competitions and pathways that drive growth and engagement.

Liberty Jones

Born and raised in Brisbane, sport has always been a big part of Liberty’s life, both as a player and a spectator, and having seen first-hand the many benefits of participation, Liberty is passionate about raising awareness of the positive impact that the industry can have on individuals and the wider community.

Following completion of a Bachelor of Business majoring in Sports Management, Liberty has worked in roles at Rebel Sport, Wynnum-Manly Seagulls RLFC and then onto the QRL in 2019. Since 2019 Liberty has held roles in the Community Rugby League and People & Culture teams, recently moving into the Club Education team at the end of 2023 in the newly formed Diversity & Inclusion role.

Feeling right at home in her current role, Liberty is excited to see the QRL continue its influential work across communities and expand into new opportunities to ensure the game of Rugby League across the state is a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment for all participants.

Sam Bliss

A respected Indigenous community leader Samantha Bliss was appointed to the QRL Board as an independent director in November 2021. Bliss is a former Queensland and Australian rugby league representative who has a genuine desire to promote and develop rugby league in Queensland. A specialist in child protection and family support with senior management experience, Bliss chairs the QRL’s Participation Committee and will contribute to the QRL’schild safety and member protection frameworks, and work related to the QRL’s Female Strategy, Diversity and Inclusion Framework and Reconciliation Action Plan.

Brad Beetson

Brad Beetson proud Gubbi /Gubbi , Wiradjuri man.

I have been involved Rugby league as a player, coach and administrator for over 40 years and still love the game and it its ability to be vehicle for change in our community.

- Former President Maroochydore Swans
- Nambour Crushers - currently on the committee at Nambour
- Football manager at Nambour Seniors present.
- President and founder Sunshine coast Bunyas Indigenous Rugby league Club.  - Director Arthur Beetson Foundation and founding member.
- Director Murri Carnival.
- Maroochydore Justice Group elder.
- Member QRL IAC 2022
- Community engagement for Northcoast Indigenous Health Group.

Favourite thing to do is watch my son play footy and push himself to be better each week.I am also very proud to be part of the team at the Qrl.  

Catherin Beaumont

Catherine Beaumont: A Passionate Advocate for Inclusion in Rugby League.​

Catherine Beaumont has a long history of involvement and leadership in rugby league, with a special interest in advancing the participation and inclusion of Indigenous and All-Abilities communities in the sport. She represents the Southeast region on the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Indigenous Advisory Committee, which she joined when it was formed.

She also sits on the QRL Southeast Council as an Independent Director, overseeing the All-Abilities portfolio and ensuring that rugby league is accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Catherine has been actively involved in rugby league at various levels, from grassroots to governance. She started volunteering with Fortitude Valley Junior Rugby League, the mighty Valley Diehards before joining Brisbane Second Division Rugby League (BSDRL) in 2006, where she became the first Indigenous woman and the second female to be elected to the committee, where she continued to volunteer until it became Rugby League Brisbane in 2017.

Catherine’s passion and love for rugby league stems from her family’s involved in the sport, as both her adult sons and other relatives played the game, and her youngest son was an official QRL ballboy. Catherine loves to support the clubs and volunteers that make rugby league possible, as she shares their passion and commitment to the game.

John Buttigieg

John Buttigieg – Born and bred in Townsville where I played all of my Jnr and Snr Rugby League with Souths, I followed in the footsteps of Gene Miles and Colin Scott. I am a proud Kalkadoon, Gangalidda man from the Gulf of Qld. I was fortunate to play with the Nth Qld Cowboys from 95-2003 and represented Qld State of Origin in 2001/02.

I am apart of the QRL Northern Council and hold the Indigenous and Govt Portfolio. I advocate to ensure our Remote Communities in the Cape and Torres see the same opportunities in Rugby League as our mainstream areas. I have also been lucky to coach at local and representative levels. I enjoy watching my daughter and son play Rugby League and support where I can.

Ian Lacey

Experienced professional with strong leadership and relationship-building skills at an Executive level. I am a meticulous operator that is excellent at completing multiple tasks at a high level and working under pressure.

I have broad industry experience in both Business & Rugby League at a local and national level and believe I have the desired skills and passion to succeed and drive an organisationforward. I am highly motivated with proven experience managing all levels and large-scale projects.