Queensland Rugby League: Maroons hit the road to meet fans, raise money for floods

Queensland Rugby League has kicked off its “regional road trip” in Townsville, bringing along retired and current Maroons stars to meet members and raise money for flood-affected clubs.

Daneka Hill

@DanekaHill

less than 2 min read

February 15, 2025 - 2:13PM

Townsville Bulletin

Queensland Maroons State of Origin jersey for this years series pays respect to the 1995 team that won the series three nil and was coached by Paul Vautin Picture QRL

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Queensland Rugby League has kicked off its latest “regional road trip” in Townsville, bringing along retired and current Maroons stars to meet members and raise money for flood-affected clubs.

Former Maroons player Brent Tate attended the first pop-up event in Townsville at the Carmichael Ford dealership on Saturday, and said he enjoyed being in the uniform again.

“For us, it’s about still having a connection to the Maroons and the fans, because we may be old and retired now but we loved it when we played,” Tate said.

“It is like a brotherhood.”

When asked about how he thought the North Queensland Cowboys would go this season, there was a moment of silence for the team’s recent 8-50 loss to the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Former Maroons player Brent Tate with the Ford Ranger being raffled off as part of the QRL's regional road trip.

“If they can stay fit and healthy, they can be a top eight side,” Tate said.

“They will be good.”

Queensland Rugby League (QRL) CEO Ben Ikin said it was important for the footy organisation to go out and meet with its grassroots volunteers, to promote what it means to be a QRL member.

“We run the men’s and women’s State of Origin maroons teams, but we also have 15 Queensland Cup clubs and 356 community clubs,” Mr Ikin said.

“And across those 356 clubs, all of them are run by volunteers.”

As part of the regional road trip, the QRL are selling State of Origin merch, raffling off a free Ford Raptor, and more as they raise money for flood-affected clubs in North Queensland.