The emerging stars set the tone last weekend at the junior QPICC tournament and this week it’s the turn of the more experienced players to shine with the three-day Queensland Pacific Island Cultural Carnival event.
Being held at Beenleigh’s Bill Norris Oval, this year’s carnival will kick off on Friday evening with the traditional opening ceremony, before launching into some rugby league action across the weekend with finals to be played on Sunday.
This year, the following organisations representing their nations will compete:
• Rugby League Samoa Queensland
• Queensland PNG Rugby League Inc
• Queensland Niue Rugby League
• Cook Island Rugby League Queensland
As well as the showcase of heritage and sharing of language and history during the opening ceremony, there will be cultural performances throughout the weekend and there will also be stalls with island food, drinks, crafts and merchandise to rep the competing Nations.
QPICC is also fully QRL affiliated and sanctioned.
After attending last year’s tournament, QRL CEO Ben Ikin said QPICC was a great way to connect through rugby league and learn more about the different communities in the game.
“Rugby league is the vehicle to connect and get the people in the room, but the thing that breathes life into the event is the cultural aspect,” QRL CEO Ben Ikin said.
“As you celebrate the multiple cultures that exist in the game, you are openly celebrating the diversity that exists inside the game.
“At the opening ceremony, I got sat in the front row as the nations marched in and I thought, ‘well, we're going to get up close and personal here with some Pasifika culture’ and we did.
“The singing, the hakas, the traditional dance – it came in so many forms, it was so authentic and done with so much passion.”
QPICC opening ceremony - what to expect
Cook Islands
There will be a performance of Ura Pau (with the meaning of Te Vaka Tounga Eva Nui), performance of Pe'e (war chant) and Kapa Rima (15 stars song and dance explaining the beauty of all the islands in the Cook Islands)
Niue
Niue will have a special presentation to Mrs Mana Sionetali of a memorial banner of Rev Elisi Sionetali who was QNRL Chaplain and spiritual leader before performing Koli (dance) by the QNRL Women’s team and Takalo (warrior dance) by the men and boys teams.
Papua New Guinea
The nation will be performing a Christian song called "Lord’s Prayer Our Father" sung in the dialect of Motu”, the main language of Papua New Guinea. This song is widely known and typically sung by Papuans when celebrating a victory.
Samoa
Samoa will be showcasing a glimpse of their culture through a selection of song and dance for the opening ceremony.
Everything you need to know
When
Friday, October 25 – Sunday, October 27
Opening ceremony from 6pm on Field 1 and Finals on Sunday, October, 27
Where
Bill Norris Oval, Beenleigh
Draw
Fixture information available at the playrugbyleague.com or download the PDF.
Entry cost
- Children aged five and under, free.
- Everyone aged over five, $5.
- Special pass - 5 people over 5 = $20
QPICC is also offering special entry deals:
- Deal 1 - 4 Adults for 3 days = $45
- Deal 2 - 4 Adults for 2 days = $30
Parking
Players and spectators are asked to use the Spanns Road car park (adjacent 88 Spans Road, Beenleigh). If you do not have a car park pass, you will not be permitted entry into the front Bill Norris Oval car park area.
Refer to the QPICC website for full parking details.
