It is great to see rugby league back on the field and going so strongly.
Queensland Rugby League this week revealed how positive the number of registrations are across all levels of the game, which is fantastic news for rugby league.
These increases are a direct result of the outstanding contribution made by thousands of volunteers each and every week or year, including before and after our seasons start.
There are always going to be challenges and we could always do with more match officials across the state but there is some tremendous work going on behind the scenes within the QRL and at leagues and clubs across Queensland to ensure our game continues to grow in a positive way.
The QRL is currently preparing for engagements across the state to mark significant cultural events in the coming months for our players, coaches, volunteers and rugby league enthusiasts.
National Sorry Day on May 26 precedes Reconciliation Week, which runs from May 27 to June 3, featuring significant dates for First Nations people including the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and Mabo Day, will be the first of our major celebration events.
NAIDOC Week is from July 2 to 9, with the start of the week coinciding with QRL's Indigenous Round, which we will celebrate across statewide and grassroots competitions.
Reconciliation Week’s theme is to “Be a voice for generations” and NAIDOC Week’s theme is “For our elders”.
Both of these messages are important for our First Nations participants and planning is underway for the QRL and its leagues and clubs to be actively involved in community events relating to them in 2023.
The QRL Indigenous Advisory Committee has provided some fantastic information and ideas of how the game can celebrate and engage within our communities and I am looking forward to being part of these activations.
The Frank Fisher Cup is also coming up quickly and will be held in Chinchilla on the weekend of May 26 to 27.
The event has always been special for everyone who attends and is an important one for QRL and police messaging around domestic violence prevention.
This year will take on extra significance as it will involve a memorial game for Queensland Police Service officers Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, who died along with 58-year-old man in an ambush at Wieambilla in December 2022.
The game will be played between the Queensland Police Service and an Indigenous Invitational team.
I will be travelling to Chinchilla with a number of other QRL employees to show our support for the event and to honour the lives of the two fallen police officers.
Last week the QPS held their annual carnival in Mt Isa.
From what I have heard the games were tough and exciting and the QRL is proud to have the Queensland Police Service Rugby League Association as one of our affiliate bodies and we look forward to strengthening this relationship in the future.
I'm also looking forward to each of our regional carnivals this weekend - the XXXX 47th Battalion for the Central region in Emerald, the XXXX Chairman's Challenge in Ipswich for our South East teams and of course the XXXX Foley Shield, which is the talk of the town here in Townsville as the men's side looks to defend their title in Cairns.
I know Townsville has selected another extremely side to represent them this year but given the Foley Shield is in Cairns this year I'd expected Cairns will be very difficult and a massive challenge. It will almost bring them up to equal favourites.
Main image: Reconciliation Week cultural celebrations held in Yarrabah in 2021
