Maroons Foundation to raise funds to do more for rugby league across the state

With the Origin opener just 10 days away, Queensland fans have the chance to get behind the Maroons by being in the Suncorp sheds – in name and spirit – and it’s all part of a multimillion-dollar plan to invest in people across State.

Wally Lewis at Suncorp Stadium for the launch of Maroons Foundation in conjunction with the Courier-Mail as exclusive campaign partner for "Name in Maroon”. Pics Adam Head

Queensland coach Billy Slater calls the Maroons the people’s team.

Now here’s the evidence to prove it.

On the eve of this year’s Origin series, the Queensland Rugby League has created the Maroons Foundation as part of a multimillion-dollar plan to invest in the people of the Sunshine State.

QRL boss Ben Ikin says the Foundation, launched today in partnership with The Courier-Mail, will help millions of Queenslanders, including indigenous and disability groups.

“We’ve created a philanthropic arm of the QRL with the Maroons Foundation,” Ikin said.

“It’s going to be an opportunity for us to raise funds to do more for rugby league across the state.

“The primary goal is helping make the greatest game of all more accessible to more people in Queensland.

“We’ll be investing in more inclusive facilities with the rise of the female game and be able to provide more support for a number of cultural carnivals throughout the state.

“We also want to do more with wheelchair rugby league and people with intellectual disabilities who play rugby league.

“And finally, because Queensland is Queensland, to be able to help when a natural disaster strikes in the form of disaster relief.”

FIND OUT HOW TO DONATE, HERE

With the Origin opener just 10 days away, Queensland fans have the chance to get behind the Maroons by being in the Suncorp sheds – in name and spirit.

“You can donate as little as $10 to the Maroons Foundation to have your name put up on a placard with everybody else that donates,” Ikin said.

“All the names of the donors will be placed inside the lockers of the Maroons players for State of Origin I, so it’s a chance for your name to be right there in the Queensland dressing room before kick-off.

“The Queensland Maroons are always better when we have a deep connection with the people we’re playing for.”

Originally published as Maroons Foundation to raise funds to do more for rugby league across the state