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Back in the dim dark ages, Queenslanders used to come out in their droves to barrack for their rugby or league teams, even if they were being beaten by huge scores. The parochial nature oozed out of them.
Ballymore grew out of no where to where it is today – a massive financial millstone around the QRU’s neck.
Redevelopment plans and funding were shelved with the changeover of Federal Government in 2007. No further correspondence has been entered into and the game in Queensland, it appears, is in limbo as AFL and NRL have expanded their national competition.
Indeed, the Queensland state government has invested great sums of money to support the AFL at the Gold Coast, with stadium upgrades as well as public transport upgrades.
By contrast, rugby doesn’t seem to be getting a leg in any door, whether it be the federal or state level.
What is the problem?
Maybe the answer was “blurted” out by Ms. Bligh in regional parliament in Mackay when she described all those not born in Queensland as not being a “Queenslander”.
Perhaps having “foreigners” such as Ewen McKenzie occupying important positions such as coach of the Reds is a bigger issue than anyone can imagine. Perhaps because the game is run out of Sydney, that is her major issue in standing firm to block all redevelopment of Ballymore or see the game expand.
In an age where sponsorship money is critical to most sports, the question must also be raised about why rugby does not tap into the “billion” dollar industry like mining, even if it is only to be used to promote the game further in WA or Queensland.
With other codes tapping into support either in kind or real dollars from the Queensland state government and the mining industry, is the problem simply that there is not enough “Queenslander” input into the direction of rugby for Ms. Bligh’s liking?
Have the administrators at the ARU really got it “right” in terms of the direction the code is travelling in, viz a viz political ties and industry ties?
What would turn Ms. Bligh’s eye more favourably to the “game they play in heaven”? Is the answer as earthly as one game of “State of Origin” each year to satisfy her xenophobia?
As Queensland has grown over the past decade it is interesting to note that participation and memberships for rugby continues to decline.
In the middle of a mining boom surely we need a review of the rugby business plan. The AFL are targeting growth to have one million players and over one million supporters by 2016. What is the plan for rugby?
How do we expect our players to be aggressive and expansive in their play when it appears the administration have taken a timid and limited approach to the growth of the game in Western Sydney, NSW generally and Queensland in particular?
This week the Reds play the Crusaders. Will the ARU or QRU publish how many are Australia-based Kiwis, Queenslanders and, to satisfy Ms. Bligh’s problem with the world, the NBIQ’s (not born in Queensland)?
If the Reds do indeed win the Super Rugby competition, it will be interesting to see if Ms. Bligh swoons over them or gives them the cold shoulder due to their lack of legitimate “Queenslanders”.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.