Queenslanders rally after floods devastate clubs

Queensland’s rugby league community is rallying together once again after floods rocked the state and left homes, businesses and clubs inundated.

Days of intense rainfall and storms led to flooding across Queensland’s southeast in the final days of February, from Maryborough down to the NSW border.

Around 15,000 homes were hit by floodwaters in Brisbane alone, with the Brisbane River continuing to peak.

And rugby league clubs across the southeast were not immune to the damage, with some still cut off to access as waters continue to recede.

Iconic rugby league venue, Suncorp Stadium, was once again hit with floodwaters – similar to 2011 – and will now face a race against time to get the field ready for the Brisbane Broncos’ Round 1 clash with South Sydney on Friday March 11.

Meanwhile, countless community and Hostplus Cup clubs and venues have had their fields and facilities become inundated with water.

But already that famous Queenslander spirit is proving to be alive and well, as people band together to not only start the clean-up but take in those who have been left without homes, food or clothes.

Clubs across the central and southeast regions have begun to put out calls for help on social media, with volunteers quick to roll up their sleeves.

Mustangs Brothers Rugby League Football Club at Chambers Flat offered up their clubhouse as an urgent evacuation point on Sunday February 27 while Stanley River RLFC on the Sunshine Coast felt the kindness of community spirit as they began their clean up on March 1.

Meanwhile, Brothers St Brendan’s in Rocklea have announced they will host a working bee on Saturday March 5, not just so volunteers can get the club back up and running, but to support the club’s neighbours through this difficult time.

There will no doubt be more calls for help and stories of bravery and kindness that emerge from these devastating floods.