QR State Champs to open with fair play pledge
The 2008 QR Junior Rugby State Championships kick off at Nudgee College tomorrow (Wednesday), with an opening ceremony in which some 1,300 players will take an oath to respect the game and match officials.
Parents and coaches in attendance will also be asked to make their own public pledges, which include a commitment to providing positive support from the sidelines.
The championships will also promote the “True Sport Lives Here” message, a state government community program which encourages positive behaviour in junior sporting environments.
The state championships cover five age group divisions from Under 13 up to Under 18, with teams coming from as far afield as Cairns and Townsville.
About 600 players from regional areas were transported to Brisbane by rail thanks to QR's support of the event.
An Under 16 team from Papua New Guinea will also be playing in the state championships, which will finish with a series of age group finals on Sunday at Ballymore.
Games will start at 8:50am tomorrow, with the opening ceremony beginning at 10:30am and the players' oath to be taken at about 11am.
A number of current QR Reds players have participated at past state championships, including new Wallaby wing Peter Hynes, Australia A scrumhalf Ben Lucas and Australian Under 20 flyhalf Quade Cooper.
