QRL to assess Toowoomba issue

THE BOARD of the Queensland Rugby League will meet tomorrow to discuss changes to the Queensland Wizard Cup for 2007, following this week?s withdrawal of the Toowoomba Clydesdales.

While the Board will consider a submission by the Aspley Broncos to enter the competition, there will also be a concerted approach to rejuvenating representative rugby league in the state?s South West.

?Toowoomba was the inaugural premier of the QLD Wizard Cup and the history of the Clydesdales? is as rich as for any club in rugby league,? QRL managing Director Ross Livermore said.

?For them not to be able to participate at this point in time is extremely disappointing, although understandable given the financial circumstance.

?I can assure the people of the Darling Downs that there are many people within the QRL passionate about the involvement of the region and it is hoped this is not the last we see of the Clydesdale name.?

Livermore, himself a former resident of Toowoomba, is joined on the nine-man QRL Board by Chairman John McDonald, a long-time identity in Toowoomba, and also by John Barrett, a St George resident and South West representative.

A number of prominent figures in the wider rugby league community also boast links to Toowoomba and South West Division.

The ?Galloping Clydesdales? as they were first nicknamed, Toowoomba boasts an unmatched record for a rural team.

During the 1924 and 1925 seasons the Clydesdales went completely undefeated, despite opposition the calibre of England, New Zealand, New South Wales and the wonder club of the time, the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Clydesdales won three of the first four Bulimba Cups on offer and in this period the likes of Herb Steinohrt, Duncan Thompson, Mick Madsen, Vic Armbruster, Tom Gorman and Dan Dempsey were household names.

In many instances Toowoomba players made up the vast majority of Queensland teams.

During the Wizard Cup era Toowoomba has featured in four grand finals, including this year?s against Redcliffe.

The club?s precarious financial position had seen it supported by the Brisbane Broncos since 1999.