NRL 2023: QRL boss Ben Ikin axes Hastings Deering Colts in major revamp of Queensland rugby league
Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin has wielded the axe by controversially scrapping the under-21s Hastings Deering Colts competition in one of the code’s biggest shake-ups.
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Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin has wielded the axe by controversially scrapping the under-21s competition in one of the code’s biggest shake-ups in the Sunshine State.
Just three months after being appointed QRL boss, Ikin has put his stamp on the game in Queensland, presiding over a major competition restructure that will trigger the death of the Hastings Deering Colts competition.
A proving ground for Queensland’s rising stars, the Colts came to life following the axing of the National Youth Competition in 2017 and was viewed as a stepping stone to the Queensland Cup and NRL senior leagues.
But the Colts is headed for the scrap heap at season’s end.
As part of the overhaul, the demise of the under-21s will also see the Cyril Connell (under-16s) and Mal Meninga (under-18s) Cups undergo age amendments to become under-17s and under-19s competitions.
That will bring them in line with their NSW counterparts, who have the SG Ball Cup (under-19s) and Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s) competitions. However, the southern state still has its under-21 Jersey Flegg competition.
It is understood dumping the Colts competition will save the Queensland Rugby League more than $1 million at a time when Ikin has proposed $30m in funding from the ARL Commission.
The revamp comes just a month after Ikin slammed NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo for rejecting a $4.2m funding request to expand the Hostplus Cup, warning the code to “invest, not mess” with rugby league in Queensland.
Ikin confirmed Queensland’s premier under-21s competition has been given the bullet for 2024.
“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 (women’s senior competition),” 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.”
There is a view the under-21s competition is an unnecessary layer given that most talented young guns have progressed to the NRL or Queensland Cup by the age of 20.
A Hostplus Cup club source said: “It’s a good call by the QRL.
“The Colts comp is now redundant.
“If you are good enough you are already playing NRL at 19 or 20 and if you aren’t good enough you can go back to local footy and still have a pathway to the Queensland Cup.”
A number of Queensland Origin stars bypassed the Colts on their way to NRL stardom.
David Fifita and Xavier Coates played Mal Meninga Cup before making their NRL debuts for Brisbane as 18-year-olds, while Broncos superstar Reece Walsh was blooded at 18 by the Warriors after only a handful of Queensland Cup games for Norths.
Ikin supports the view that players in their early 20s who have yet to crack the NRL or NRLW can return to play in grade competitions in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, giving them a chance to still progress to the Queensland Cup or BMD premiership.
“This model provides statewide competition clubs with a better opportunity to align with their community league affiliates,” Ikin said.
“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.”
Under the revamped structure, the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cups will also align with female competition age groups following the introduction of an under-17s girls league to support the existing under-19s.
The new Mal Meninga under-19s schedule will be extended to a proposed 10-round season, followed by a four-week finals series to compensate for the scrapping of the Colts.
Ikin is adamant the ambitious overhaul will allow clubs to sharpen their focus on talent development and talent specialisation.
“The changes to competition structures are further underpinned by the 13 to 15-year-old development programs delivered around the state,” he said.
“There are currently under-15s boys programs being delivered across the state, with Rebel Development Series games scheduled for the upcoming school holidays.
“These programs will remain critical as part of the talent identification process for both under-17s boys and girls.”
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