QRL’s back Clydesdales Intrust bid but community support is vital

Western Clydesdales boss urges Toowoomba community to act now to ensure success of team’s bid to return to Intrust Cup.

NEW LOOK: Brandon Clarke fires off a pass for the Western Mustangs. The Mustangs have rebranded as the Western Clydesdales as they work toward a 2023 Intrust Super Cup return. Picture: Nev Madsen.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Immediate community and business action is needed to make the Western Clydesdales 2023 Intrust Super Cup a dream a reality.

Queensland Rugby League has conditionally approved the Clydesdales entry into the ISC in 2023, but the Clydesdales must prove they are “financially viable”.

If the club fails to produce a viable funding model their window to join the statewide will be shut until 2028.

The Clydesdales are now on the campaign trail in an effort to establish and develop community support

“We heard it here today that the QRL want to, and are here to, support us,” Western Clydesdales chairman Michael Burns said.

“Now it’s about partnerships, sponsorships and getting local community and business around us.”

Key to the Clydesdales success is the appointment of a commercial manager to secure the club’s financial future with the club hoping to gather $500 donations from 100 people to fund the appointment.

Community support is already growing and Burns is adamant the club’s ISC dream will become a reality.

“It’s amazing. I’m surprised by the groundswell of support,” he said.

“The change to the Clydesdales has really pushed things.

“I’m humbled by the amount of financial support we have received already.

“I’m really confident we can get into 2023.

“It’s just about partnerships and sponsorships.

“We have a really robust business plan and the QRL are really happy with what we have done – we have jumped through all the hoops.

“Now just need the support of the community.”

Should the bid be successful Burns believes the Clydesdales will be the perfect medium to showcase and develop rugby league talent from the region.

“We say it all the time. There are way too many kids who have moved away from Toowoomba,” Burns said.

“We very super, super excited to be able to give them this pathway to stay here and still play footy at a high level.”