QRL rebel State Development Series puts RISE skills into action

More than 1500 players across more than 80 teams will play in 175 matches between three locations as part of the inaugural QRL rebel State Development Series carnivals from today.

Each team comprises participants of 21 RISE player development programs held across Queensland in recent months, equipping players aged between 13 and 16 with the skills they will need if they wish to progress on the elite pathway.

Under 13 Boys, Under 14 Boys, Under 14 Girls and Under 16 girls teams will be competing in the coming days, with Bundaberg's Salter Oval hosting the QRL Central carnival from June 30 to July 1.

The QRL South East region carnival will be at Logan Metro Sports Complex from July 1-2 and the QRL North region carnival at Jack Manski Oval from July 4-5.

QRL senior pathways and performance manager Brett Jones said the carnivals would see the culmination of the skills learnt in RISE programs, designed to help players build character confidence and connections in rugby league.

“The QRL rebel State Development Series is the final stage for 13- and 14-year-old boys and 14- and 16-year-old girls after they've gone through their local RISE programs,” Jones said.

“The RISE program is the QRL-endorsed player and coach development program that we believe will situate and provide opportunity for players to be ready to transfer into the performance pathway, starting with Cyril Connell Challenge for under 16 boys, under 17 girls City v Country program and regional carnivals.

“All these players competing would have done five skills sessions along with fitness and wellbeing programs in their local regions.

“We've been really proud to align all the programs with our statewide competitions clubs and all the players running around throughout the QRL rebel State Development Series will be proudly wearing the jerseys of Hostplus Cup clubs and drawing on that strong link to the pathway across Queensland.”

The focus of RISE and the QRL rebel State Development Series is to widen the access to highly skilled development coaches to more players in a key age group, meeting the needs of players maturing at different rates physically and mentally.

The principles and based on the ‘four C’s’ – character, confidence, competence and connection.

“We want to see players developing their character - so building really strong awareness of themselves and how they interrelate with their teammates - their confidence, their competence and ultimately we want to see really great connections," Jones said.

“We want our coaches to really start to mentor and nurture the players and that looks like giving them freedom on the field and a real opportunity to explore their games and make sure they're not fearful of making a mistake.

“We want to see players go and develop their whole skill set, not just necessarily be tied to a game strategy at this age. It's much more important to develop all the skills of the game.

“Once they're fully matured and start to grow, it will give them the best opportunity to be able to transfer into the performance center and start playing at a more competitive level in future years.”

Jones said the hope was the knowledge players have gained around what it takes to success would hold them in good stead to progress through the statewide competitions pathway to Hostplus Cup, NRL and Queensland honours.

The next opportunity for participants in the QRL rebel State Development Series will have the opportunity to progress on the pathway will be via the Cyril Connell Challenge for under 16 boys, and the City v Country program for under 17 girls and regional age group carnivals.

The Under 15 Boys carnival for the QRL rebel State Development Series will be held in September.