Everything you need to know: Adrian Vowles Cup

The population of Charleville - or Kurtsville, as it's affectionately known during State of Origin when Kurt Capewell is playing - will be the place to be this weekend. 

Forty-two teams worth of junior players, parents and volunteers will descend on the southwest Queensland town for a milestone Adrian Vowles Cup.

Participating clubs are travelling from as far north as Mt Isa and as far east as Caboolture for the 10th edition of the carnival.

A challenging time for junior participation in and around Charleville one decade ago inspired local rugby league lovers including current Murweh Shire mayor Shaun ‘Zoro’ Radnedge to launch the carnival, named in honour of his great mate, 1994 Maroons representative Adrian Vowles.

Vowles was born in Cunnamulla, playing juniors for Cunnamulla Rams, before moving to Charleville where he played for Charleville All Whites and later Railways.

The gritty utility back played 269 first grade games in Australia and England from 1993 to 2003, representing Gold Coast Seagulls, North Queensland Cowboys, Castleford Tigers, Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats along the way, and later coached the Queensland women's side. 

The Adrian Vowles Cup had a rocky start, with only three teams part of the first edition in 2014, but the appetite grew as clubs made repeat appearances and spread the word about the rare experience offered by the outback carnival.

This year 107 matches will take place between Under 14 Boys, Under 16 Boys and Under 17 Girls across the two days, with ‘Dream Teams’ to be named in each age group at the conclusion of the event.

Each match will span just 15 minutes as players contend with temperatures in the mid-30s as is typical in Charleville at this time of year.

Key information

When

February 24-25, 2023

Where

Charleville

Venues

Charleville Showgrounds, Charleville High School, Baker Street Oval

Age groups

Under 14 Boys (19 teams), Under 16 Boys (18 teams), Under 17 Girls (5 teams)

Participating clubs

Souths Toowoomba, Dalby, Wallumbilla/Surat Red Bulls, St George, Brothers Toowoomba, Stanley River, Caboolture, South Burnett, Chinchilla, Redcliffe, Collegians, Pittsworth, Fassifern, Mitchell, Highfields, Central West, Roma Cities, Mt Isa, Emerald, Carnarvon Cubs, Valleys, Benderoo/Saints, Western Ringers

Number of games

107 matches, all 15 minutes in duration

Schedule highlights

Friday, 10am: Emerald v Mitchell Under 14s open carnival at Charleville Showgrounds

Friday, 6pm: Official opening ceremony feat. Queensland Maroons’ Kurt Capewell