Mackay set to host Queensland Rugby Union Junior Girls Sevens State Championships

The State Championships will cater for U15 and U17 age groups, and will see 16 teams from across Queensland converge on the region during the school holiday period, in what will be a boost for Rugby in the region. 

“We’re very excited to work with Mackay Regional Council to bring one of our biggest participation and pathway events to Mackay,” said QRU General Manager – Community Rugby Gaven Head. 

“The QRU has previously partnered with the Mackay Regional Council to bring a Queensland Country National Rugby Championship (NRC) match to BB Print Stadium in 2018, and it’s great to now extend our partnership to the junior ranks. 

“Female participation is at record high levels in Australian Rugby. Members of the Australian Women’s Sevens team that competed at the Tokyo Olympics have participated in the Girls State Championships in previous years. 

“With Queensland to host the Olympics in 2032 it is likely that the 2021 Mackay event will be the first step in an Olympic journey for girls from the Gold Coast to the Peninsula and West. On behalf of QRU we would like to acknowledge the support of the Mackay Regional Council in hosting this event in regional Queensland.”

Mayor Greg Williamson said council was a proud supporter of women’s sporting competitions.

“Our region has hosted a number of elite level women’s sporting competitions in the past, from Big Bash League matches featuring the Brisbane Heat to AFLW games, and last year we hosted eight games as part of the 2020 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season,” he said.

“We are excited to welcome some of Australia’s future women’s Rugby Union stars to Mackay for the Queensland Rugby Union Junior Girls State Championships and we are proud to play a role in their player development.”

The Girls Junior Sevens State Championships have a proven track record of helping produce talented athletes, with Madison Levi, who is a part of the Australian Women’s Sevens team in Tokyo, having previously represented the Gold Coast at the event, while Brisbane Junior Rugby Union product Natalie Wright made her Super W debut for the Queensland Reds this year.