XXXX Queensland City v Country to showcase community A grade talent

The Queensland Rugby League (QRL) is proud to announce the launch of the XXXX Queensland City v Country in 2024, giving our best community rugby league players in the state the chance to showcase their skills at the next level.

The female and male clashes are set to take place as curtain-raisers to the 2024 Hostplus Cup grand final on the weekend of September 21-22, 2024.

Queensland Country teams will be selected based on performances in QRL North and QRL Central regional A grade carnivals – the XXXX Foley Shield on May 4-6 and XXXX 47th Battalion on July 13-14.

Queensland City will be selected from QRL South East’s A grade men’s and women’s XXXX Chairman's Challenge carnival on July 5-7, featuring players from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ipswich men’s and South East Queensland Premier Women’s competitions respectively.

QRL Community Rugby League general manager Adam Vanzanten said it was exciting to be offering a new level above the showpiece regional carnivals.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our most promising community rugby league players to represent their communities, towns and families at the next level,” he said.

“We hope the lure of a Country or City jersey drives players to take their performances to even greater heights at their respective regional carnivals – the XXXX Foley Shield in the QRL North region, the XXXX 47th Battalion Memorial Carnival in the QRL Central region and the XXXX Chairman’s Challenge in the QRL South East region.

“It will also be a great opportunity for the players selected to get a taste for the high quality of community rugby league competition on offer right across the state, and they will take valuable lessons from the experience back to their A grade clubs.

“Rekindling the age-old rivalry between Country and City will add another level of intrigue for players and fans alike, but we hope the concept will forge new bonds of mutual respect no matter where you’re involved in the game in Queensland.

“Being able to share the stage with the 2024 Hostplus Cup grand final also highlights the important role community rugby league clubs play in supporting QRL’s statewide competitions pathway.”

QRL North region manager and former Jillaroos representative Renae Kunst was particularly delighted about the landmark opportunity to put the spotlight on more than 3000 female community rugby league players participating in open age competitions around the state.

“I’m really excited about the QRL being able to offer this progression for female players for the first time,” she said.

“This is another opportunity to show off the most talented female rugby league players we have participating in community rugby league right across Queensland.”

Applications are now open for coaching staff for the Country and City teams.

Queensland Country coaching staff applications close on Wednesday, April 24. Apply here for Queensland Country positions.

Queensland City coaching staff applications close on Tuesday, April 30. Apply here for Queensland City positions.

Community Rugby League 2024 major carnivals

May 4-6: XXXX Foley Shield (QRL North), Mackay

July 5-7: XXXX Chairman's Challenge (QRL South East), Ipswich

July 13-14: XXXX 47th Battalion Memorial Carnival (QRL Central), Kingaroy

September 21-22: XXXX Queensland City v Country*

*Exact date and location TBC

Main image: A Brisbane representative team took on a Far North Queensland representative team last year. The XXXX Queensland City v Country will feature the most promising players from leagues right across the state.