RISE program continues to expand across Queensland

Queensland Rugby League has today confirmed its commitment to the expansion of the RISE Rugby League Development program in 2022 after the successful roll-out of the program last season.

This year, 22 programs will be run across South East, Central and North regions, with program locations aligned to community leagues with the support of statewide competition clubs.

With 1700 players joining the program last season, plans are in place for more than 3000 registrations in 2022.

RISE will continue to be comprised of five sessions with the following age groups offered this year:

• Male Under 13, Under 14, Under 15
• Female Under 13 / Under 14 and Under 15 / Under 16

In an exciting addition to the program, players will have further opportunities to showcase  their development in game situations through their participation in a structured carnival event to close the program.

A minimum of two games will be offered for all players with these games to be played in the first week of the September school holidays.

The move to stage carnivals follows consultation with players, coaches, leagues and clubs at  the completion of the 2021 program.

Senior pathways and performance manager Brett Jones said the program continued to evolve with the support of the NRL.

“The focus of the program will continue to be development of the individual with age and stage appropriate activities while the addition of carnivals provides a great opportunity for players to demonstrate to families, friends, and themselves what they’ve learnt,” Jones said.

“Another clear benefit of this holistic approach is the coach education program designed to be complementary with where the players are at in their stage of development. A by-product of this will be the multiplier effect this will have as coaches take this knowledge back into their clubs and communities .

“In terms of the games, there are five carnival groups (see below) with each RISE program entering anywhere from one to four teams per age group.”

The number of teams will be determined by the initial size of the program and playing population in the region. All players who are accepted into the program will participate in the carnivals.

The NRL continues to invest in RISE with Neil Henry returning as Head Coach of the program and overseeing coach development.

QRL Pathways coaches Tahnee Norris and Guy Williams will also work with programs in 2022.

An emphasis on personal wellbeing and physical fitness will form part of the core curriculum.

The ongoing partnership between Griffith University and the NRL through RISE provides players and parents with leading insights and personalised support in the area of socio emotional development.

Programs are a partnership between local leagues and statewide competitions clubs with players aiming to graduate to Cyril Connell U16 men’s and Under 17 women’s teams.

Registrations will open in early April with the program commencing in June.

Group 1: Gold Coast, RLB / Easts Tigers, RLB / Souths Logan Magpies, RLB / Wynnum Manly

Group 2: RLB / Norths Devils, RLB / Redcliffe Dolphins, Sunshine Coast Rugby League, South Burnett / Wide Bay Bulls, Fraser Coast / Wide Bay Bulls, Bundaberg / Wide Bay Bulls

Group 3:  Rugby League Ipswich / Ipswich Jets, South West - Toowoomba, South West - Roma, South West – Warwick

Group 4: Gladstone Rugby League / Capras, Rockhampton Rugby League / Capras, Central Highlands Rugby League / Capras, Central West Rugby League / Capras

Group 5: Mt Isa Rugby League, Mackay Rugby League, Townsville Rugby League / Blackhawks, FNQ Rugby League / Pride