‘It’s not about performance’: Pride reacts to QRL’s colts cut

The Hastings Deering Colts competition will be removed from 2024, with the Cyril Connell Challenge and Mal Meninga Cup competitions to move up to Under-17 and Under-19 age groups respectively.

QRL chief executive officer Ben Ikin said the revamp would allow clubs to sharpen their focus on talent development and talent specialisation.

“Our statewide clubs are best positioned to develop talent for the elite game – and we believe the best 20 and 21 year-old players in the state are capable of playing in the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership,” Ikin said.

“Data also suggests that the majority of players in this age group already have been identified, meaning they hold NRL or NRL Development contracts, or are Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership contracted players.”

Pride CEO Garreth Smith was part of the discussion, along with other Hostplus Cup clubs, about the competition’s future and place in the development pathway.

He said it was clear the U21s age group was not serving its intended purpose for the Pride, and the club’s catchment.

Smith stressed his and the club’s view had nothing to do with on-field performance, where the Pride have won just one game in two years.

“The easy thing would be to look at performance but that's not how we made the decision,” Smith said.

“It’s not about performance, it’s about the elite pathway.

“We didn’t believe this pathway was working for us.

“When most kids get to the age group, they’ve already moved to south east Queensland or other areas.

“We need to stem the flow and improve the visibility of the NRL brand.”

Eligible colts players have shunned the statewide league in recent years in favour of playing in the FNQRL A-grade competition, with some citing the better developmental outcome of playing against men rather than the aged system.

Smith also cited how players as young as 18 were already in NRL systems, draining the potential talent pool even further.

Where that leaves the remaining squad members, in particular those who aren’t operating at a level to play in the Hostplus Cup, was central to the concerns of clubs.

In 2023, Dantoray Lui and Seamus King-Smith were the only players to feature for the colts and cup sides.

Both were contracted to the cup squad, so would train with the open group then return to the colts team for captain’s run and games.

Their experience, replicated across most clubs, adds weight to the argument that players who are under genuine consideration for the Hostplus Cup will already be identified and part of the top squad - and negating the need for colts.

Lui and King-Smith were among the Pride-contracted players to turn out for FNQRL clubs in the A-grade competition this year.

Ikin said the changes would serve to strengthen community rugby league.

“This model provides statewide competition clubs a better opportunity to align with their community league affiliates,” Ikin said.

More Coverage

Ikin delivers bullet to Colts in major QRL shake-up

Peter Badel

‘Unacceptable’: QRL boss vows crackdown on shocking behaviour

Jason Gibbs

“It’s also important to remember that players who may take longer to develop still have a pathway to open age QRL statewide competitions via local senior grade competitions in their area.

“The changes to competition structures are further underpinned by the 13-15 year old development programs delivered around the state.”

matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au

Originally published as ‘It’s not about performance’: Pride reacts to QRL’s colts cut