Click here to download Struddys BRL pre-season draw 2015
QRL South East Queensland Division Chairman Brad Tallon today announced that former Brisbane rugby league legend Ross Strudwick has thrown his support behind the new BRL competition, committing his company Struddy’s Sports as the pre-season Naming Rights sponsor.
The Struddy’s Sports BRL pre-season competition commences on March 7-8 and will run over four consecutive weekends, culminating with a final day at Norths’ Bishop Park ground on Saturday, March 28. All 10 BRL teams will be on show that day in a rugby league extravaganza.
“I am thrilled to be part of an administration team that has revived the iconic BRL brand,” Tallon said.
“This new competition structure is very exciting with some historic clubs competing again at this premier level, and these are joined by some other clubs looking to make a mark.”
“The return of Valleys has attracted great interest, as has the Logan Brothers club, while the Western Suburbs Panthers carry a brand synonymous with the rich BRL legacy. When you add the Dolphins, Tigers and Seagulls plus fantastic new clubs like Carina, Gaters (Albany Creek) and Normanby, this is a revival for rugby league in Brisbane.”
“To also have a BRL legend like Ross Strudwick on board as a sponsor of our pre-season competition only adds spice to the mix. Ross was a champion on the field and he has worked tirelessly to position his company Struddy’s Sports as a true leader in the sporting goods and apparel field. Struddy’s Sports is also a proud licenced supplier of QRL on-field apparel to clubs”.
Tallon added: “I also want to acknowledge the fantastic support from the five Brisbane clubs who were instrumental in achieving this new structure. Without their vision and support we wouldn’t have been able to put this new league competition into place, and I thank them for this effort as well as the QRL Board for its assistance.”
Each of the Brisbane Intrust Super Cup clubs have forged a link with two clubs, and players will be dual registered to allow for transfer between the Intrust Super Cup and the BRL competition. This is the same model which supports all other Intrust Super Cup clubs, with players drawn directly from the local premier grade competitions.
Wynnum Manly and the Ipswich Jets will provide their players to only one BRL team, with some restrictions to be imposed. Wynnum Manly Redland City Seagulls will play games at four venues both in Wynnum and in Redland City. This is a start to Redland City competing with its own team in future years of the competition.
Strudwick said he was thrilled to be involved.
“When I became aware of the League’s plans to revive the BRL competition I wanted to be part of this venture,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to play in the old BRL when it was considered the second best league competition in the world so I have great memories from those times. Players like Lewis, Meninga, Miles, Belcher, Dowling, Close … the names just keep coming. I’m sure this new era will unearth some great stars in our game and I’m proud Struddys Sports is able to contribute in some way.”
Ross opened his first retail outlet in Sunnybank, Queensland in 1975 and while his football commitments took him away from the retailing, with support from his family he managed to build Struddys Sports to a highly respectable name in the sporting world.
The Struddys Sports brand became strongly recognised through the concentrated marketing efforts in the retail sector as well as the school and club market. Having gained a greater market share hence greater buying power, a successful profitable model was established at 82 Bryants Road, Loganholme.
In 2002 the directors researched for new and better ways to boost the group’s collective performance; eventually Struddys Sports Wholesale and Manufacture division was formed.
Today, in 2015, Struddys Sports has supplier contracts with many Government and private institutions, schools (both private and state), private enterprises, Queensland Rugby League, Men of League, School Sports Australia, TRL and City Touch just to mention a few.
Struddys Sports is a certified ‘Australian Made’ company, manufacturing locally in Brisbane. Now Struddys Sports manufacture their own brand of apparel, catering for all apparel sporting needs. Together with their factory offshores, Struddys Sports has the capacity to deliver apparel in exceptionally short time frames.
Strudwick played 320 games with Valleys after being enticed north by the wily QRL boss Ron McAuliffe after representing NSW and Australia. He went on to play for Queensland and also forged a successful coaching career, claiming the final BRL premiership at the helm of Brothers in 1986. The Broncos entered the National competition the following season.
A copy of the Struddy’s Sports BRL pre-season competition draw is attached. The final series day at Bishop Park will feature all 10 teams with matches to commence from (11.30am). The final will kick-off at (3.30pm) following the season’s official opening, marked by several legendary past BRL stars. Struddy’s Sports has contributed prizemoney for the pre-season winner, with all teams to receive a Struddy’s Sports gift voucher.
The 18 round “home and away” season draw will also be released in coming days, with a number of games to feature as curtain-raiser events to Intrust Super Cup club match days. For any further information on the BRL competition or the Struddy’s Sports pre-season, please contact Shane McNally on (07) 3367 6070 or s.mcnally@qrl.com.au
