Successful rebel carnivals bring regions together

Positivity on and off the field brought of the best in players during the rebel State Development Series - even those who only met their teammates on Day 1.

That was exactly the case for seven under 13s from the Central Highlands, who participated at the QRL Central region carnival at Nirimba Sports Complex last week alongside a group from Rockhampton.

RISE Central Highlands under 13 coach Mick Clifford could see the growth in the players in the side from their first game together, bringing a valuable experience on the back of lessons learnt during the RISE player development program.

"These lads, this is the first time they've met each other today, so we're mixed between Central Highlands and Rockhampton, so the first time a lot of them have met each other and we haven't had a training run together at all and that was our first hitout," he said.

"It's a great development carnival and it's all about the kids coming and having fun."

Not only has RISE helped equip players with more knowledge of their own game - which is set to serve them well in football and in life with the program including a focus on personal wellbeing - it has also strengthened referee corps, particularly important for the Central Highlands. 

Clifford said the "one-percenters" backed by positive, constructive messages all added up and were making a difference in his region and across the state.

"I try to instil positivity into them. No negativity on the field, no negativity behind the line and as they come off, just praise and it's all about them having fun," he said.

"We're swapping them in and out of positions they haven't played, and asking them what positions they want to play, so it's about getting out there and having a crack at whatever positions they want and have fun with their mates.

"It's coachability and attitude. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don't have coachability, you make it tough on your coaches, so it's all about being able to take criticism, take feedback - positive and negative - and use that to your advantage and by running the RISE program the kids get all these one-percenters they may not get taught in a normal season from their coaching staff."

Central Highlands-based player Harper Clifford said he enjoyed his experience alongside his mates and his new teammates.

"It's fun and I'm sure I'm going to enjoy playing against different regions and see what they do," he said.

"I've been trying to put in my best effort for the team... and I've learnt a lot about wellbeing from RISE, and reffing.

"Everyone's put in a good amount of effort and I'm sure it will work out."

QRL Sunshine Coast area manager Nathan McLean said it was great to see the different areas working together to ensure as many players as possible had the opportunity to put their RISE skills into practice.

Eight combined teams participated in the QRL Central region carnival on September 27-28.

"It's a real credit to the region to combine like that at short notice," McLean said.

"The behaviour has been excellent. When you take the scores out of a rugby league game and it's about the kids playing footy, you can see the positivity around the facility and it's a win for us, definitely.

"It's awesome, we're stoked with the turnout, 550 kids registered and 32 teams."

McLean paid particular tribute to the volunteers from the fledgling Nirimba Hurricanes who supported the carnival, and the helpers from around the Sunshine Coast who joined in the helping hand to "do what's best for rugby league".

"It's a great story, Nirimba. It's the third year they've been running.. this year they're up over 100 members and a great committee here led by Scott (Armstrong, president) and Vanessa (Davis, secretary) and I think being here in a brand new community, they're building a culture to be part of the club," he said.

QRL South East and QRL North rebel State Development Series events were also held successfully at Logan Metro Sports Complex and Rugby League Townsville & District fields earlier in September.