Queensland State bodies forge strategic partnership to grow touch football and rugby league

Queensland Touch Football (QTF) and Queensland Rugby League are proud to announce a new partnership that will see the two organisations collaborate on a range of initiatives to promote and develop rugby league and touch football across the state.

Both organisations recognise the significant benefits of working together to enhance the reach and impact of their respective sports, which already share a proud history.

Current and former elite rugby league players like Kalyn Ponga, Scott Prince, Tamika Upton, Tarryn Aitken and Ali Brigginshaw have strong touch football backgrounds.

Their ability to excel in both sports reinforces the merits of the three-year partnership between QTF and QRL.

In signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the two organisations have committed to a three-year strategic partnership that will create new opportunities for shared growth.

QRL chief executive officer Ben Ikin said the partnership would create more opportunities for players, coaches and fans to engage with both sports.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our sports to learn and grow together, particularly across our infrastructure targets as more and more boys and girls, men and women, take the field in rugby league and touch football competitions each year.

“And more broadly, having the non-contact version of the game as part of the rugby league adds even more punch to the partnership.”

QTF chief executive officer Greg Denny said the partnership would help foster inclusivity and growth within the Queensland sporting landscape.

“We are excited about the possibilities this collaboration brings,” Denny said.

“Together with the Queensland Rugby League, we will be able to enhance our development programs and provide greater access to facilities and resources for our touch football community.”

Australian Rugby League Commissioner Kate Jones endorsed the steps taken by the two state bodies.

“This is a great partnership and it goes to the heart of the transformation we’re really seeing at a national level,” said Jones, who also serves on the Touch Football Australia board.

“The Australian Rugby League Commission absolutely believes that there is strong growth for our game and for touch football right across Australia.

“So many of our players often play both forms of the game. You only have to look at our NRLW teams to see the majority of players actually started their footy life in touch football.

“This partnership will deliver a real win for all the young players that want to play our game into the future.”

Key objectives of the partnership include:

• Joint commercial and marketing initiatives: QRL and QTF will collaborate on identifying mutually beneficial partnerships with sponsors, advertisers and commercial entities
• Shared facilities and infrastructure: The alliance will improve access to facilities for clubs and associations, with QRL supporting QTF’s use of rugby league facilities. The organisations will also work together on infrastructure planning and grant funding for shared and integrated facilities
• Government relations and grant applications: QRL and QTF will collaborate on government proposals, submissions, and the identification of grant opportunities that benefit both organisations

• Participation and pathways: A united approach will support initiatives that promote crossover participation between rugby league and touch football, while also co-ordinating event calendars to reduce scheduling conflicts and maximise participation in both sports