Mackay Cutters CEO Mitch Cook warns Queensland’s junior talent pathways are at risk due to lack of funding

Queensland’s junior talent pathways could be in jeopardy as a state league CEO sounds the alarm, conceding ‘the stress at the moment is definitely real’. Details.

The Cutters and Capras Mal Meninga Cup sides in action. The competition is a breeding ground for future NRL stars.

Mackay Cutters CEO Mitch Cook has warned Queensland Rugby League’s elite talent pathways could be in jeopardy, with clubs set to be forced to forego teams if they don’t receive more financial support.

It comes amid a funding dispute between state governing bodies and the ARLC.

Queensland’s elite under-21 competition, the Hastings Deerings Colts, was lost to rugby league in 2023.

It was a move that reportedly saved the QRL over $1 million, but the junior female pathways were subsequently strengthened with the introduction of the Harvey Norman under-17s.

“If we needed to cut programs, the first one that could be cut would be one of the junior rep programs, and that would be a big loss to the overall pathway and the pathway from grassroots right through to the NRL,” Cook said.

“It wouldn’t be just the Mackay Cutters, it would be across the competition.

“It’s something that we shouldn’t look at losing because it is a strength of our sport and state. Having a footprint across the whole state is a strength of rugby league.”

Mackay Cutters CEO Mitch Cook. Picture: Mitch Bourke.

QRL General Manager of Pathways and Performance Glenn Ottaway agreed that the pathway model as it stands could be compromised.

“Our junior pathways are delivered by 15 statewide hubs that service the entire state. Without adequate funding to support clubs to develop talent the model would need to change,” Ottaway said.

“This would potentially see less people being given access to pathway programs. Support for clubs is to allow them to provide more and better development to more people.”

Cook detailed the precarious financial position many Queensland state league clubs find themselves in at present. “The stress at the moment is definitely real,” he lamented.

“We will run at a loss this coming year because of what’s expected from us with the QRL in terms of the competitions, we’re finding that harder year on year, but we know it’s important to do these things and have a really good environment.”

Harvey Norman under-19s, Round 4, CQ Capras versus Mackay Cutters at Browne Park, Rockhampton, on March 2, 2024.

He noted that there had been no funding increase for state league clubs since 2018, despite all three women’s programs being introduced in that time. “We do the best we can with the resources we’ve got, but the reality is we need further support, and that being directly from the governing body, the ARLC and the NRL,” Cook said.

Ottaway agreed there was a need to increase funding to state league clubs.

“Funding for clubs via an ARLC grant has not changed since 2018 when clubs were only required to support programs for males,” Ottaway said.

“Their responsibility has increased with the growth in female pathways. Program costs have also risen significantly in the last five years. Basics like, apparel, medical equipment, accommodation, transport and wages have all risen significantly during this period.”

QRL General Manager of Pathways and Performance Glenn Ottaway. Picture: Jacob Grans/QRL

Cook described rugby union’s current standing in Australia as a “perfect example” of the fate that could follow rugby league under the present funding circumstances.

“We know there’s money in the game as we’ve seen with the recent show in Las Vegas, but that money also needs to be directed straight to grassroots and pathway programs like our junior rep programs,” Cook said.

“If we are stagnant and sit on our hands with not supporting pathways, there’s evidence there that the game is at risk.

“On the other side of it, when you do support pathways, facilities, have great programs and good funding to the grassroots … sports flourish, like AFL.”

North Queensland Cowboys co-captains Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter were both developed in the Cutters pathway programs, as were prominent women’s Cowboys Emma Manzelmann and Jasmine Peters.

Cowboys co-captains Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter both came through the Cutters pathways. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images.

Cook warned players of such calibre are at risk of being lost to the game if junior pathway competitions are sacrificed due to a lack of competition - not only in Mackay, but around the state.

“The flow on effect (of sufficient funding) is that we see the most talented juniors come out of Mackay and be successful at the elite level,” he said.

“We can’t run year on year at a loss and expect to be sustainable, it doesn’t work like that. We need to be making sure we do run at a profit for the sustainability of the club in the long-term.

“A regional statewide club like Mackay Cutters, we’re a club that doesn’t have leagues club backing or a strong financial base from a leagues club.

“We rely on community support … it’s risky because we’re dictated by the economic climate, especially here in Mackay with the industry of mining and sugar.

“We can’t predict the future, so the future funding from our stakeholders, the ARLC and in co-operation with the QRL is so vital for our future.”

An NRL spokesperson said the ARLC is planning on spending more than $420m from 2023 to 2027 on community rugby league participation and pathways.

“This includes direct support for competitions and clubs in regional areas,” the spokesperson said.

“The ARLC investment in pathways competitions has increased 14% in the last four years.

“The NRL clubs also provide funding and support for regional Clubs and their pathway programs.”

Originally published as Mackay Cutters CEO Mitch Cook warns Queensland’s junior talent pathways are at risk due to lack of funding