More good news for Queensland Rugby
League

Last Friday?s Annual General Meeting of the Queensland Rugby League delivered several key indicators of the sport?s success in the preceding 12 months.

Along with promising financial developments, the QRL received exceedingly positive news in regards to junior participation and the future of the game.

Among the most encouraging information presented in the Annual Report was:

? Data showing that all six QRL Divisions recorded significant increases in junior enrolments. In total 31,950 junior players, 1977 teams and 215 clubs were officially registered with the league. This represented 1740 more players than in season 2003 and 116 more teams. ? Throughout Australia there was 10%+ growth in junior numbers. ? A total of 638,000 school children came into contact with rugby league via ARL Foundation coaching clinics and gala days. ? Since its inception five years ago, the ARL Foundation ? to be now known as ARL Development ? has increased from 23 development officers to 40. ? News detailing two new initiatives for ARL Development in 2005. In conjunction with the NRL, a Community Football Development Project will begin, aimed at non-professional participants. Furthermore an Active After-School Community provision scheme will be launched, battling obesity in school-aged children. ? A total of 150 referees across Queensland gained accreditation. ? Leaguenet now hosts websites for 1260 rugby league organisations and attracts 1.5million requests per month. ? Record crowds were noted around Queensland for both senior and junior football. A television audience of 239,000 watched the Queensland Cup grand final on ABC TV.

While buoyed by the general state of the game, QRL Chairman John McDonald admitted in his report to being disappointed by Queensland?s fortunes in representative fixtures this season, with changes already in place for 2005.

Thanks to http://www.qrl.com.au for another top story.