Return of junior City v Country benefits players and coaches

The dignified battle between city and country areas is set to return this year in the under 17 age group, with both males and females being given the opportunity to represent their region of origin.

The week-long camp leading up to game day will allow players to participate in skill development, performance education, physical profiling and culture sessions; finishing with a City versus Country fixture as part of Intrust Super Cup grand final day on Sunday, September 26.

QRL senior pathways and performance manager Brett Jones said the return of the city versus country junior program was an integral part of Queensland Rugby League’s pathways.

"The opportunity to bring together the state’s best male and female talent is critical to ensuring the next generations of Queensland talent is exposed to the demands of representative football," Jones said.

"The purpose of our pathways competitions and program is to support as many of these aspiring players to graduate into the NRL in future years and continue to press for selection in Queensland under 19 and senior emerging programs.

"This camp will ensure players gain a deeper awareness of the character and culture that defines Queensland teams and begin to form relationships and partnerships with their fellow Queenslanders, regardless of their club alignment.

"It is exciting to be able to provide the same pathway for girls and boys in 2021 and it should make for some great action on grand final day at Redcliffe."

The opportunity for progression will not just be afforded to players, but there will also be a particular emphasis on coach development through the appointment of two coaching directors; Brisbane Broncos skills coach Kurt Richards leading the male program and North Queensland Cowboys elite pathways coach Ben Jeffries in charge of the female program.

"It is also a great opportunity for coaches to further progress their development under the guise of Kurt and BJ... two formidable coaches with extensive CVs and a wealth of experience and success,” Jones said.

"I encourage all coaches with a demonstrable commitment to junior development through statewide competitions and representative programs to apply and be involved.”

Interested coaches are asked to submit an application that includes their coaching CV along with a short statement detailing their current commitment to ongoing personal development.

These applications can be sent via b.jones@qrl.com.au and close Monday, July 5, at 5pm.