Brett Forte Cup: Rugby competition peaks as cops, army prepare for annual showdown

The Carbalah troopers won a comfortable victory over the Toowoomba police when the two teams faced off last year and the cops haven’t forgotten about. They are back this year with a young, leaner team and their eyes fixed on the price.

Forget about cane toads and cockroaches or the Grammar and Downlands College – the real footy rivalry captivating the Darling Downs involves Toowoomba Police and troopers from the Cabarlah army base.

The teams have been knocking heads for the past 50 years and they will be back at it when they fight for control of the Brett Forte Memorial Cup.

Darling Downs City Patrol Group Acting Inspector Greg Wheeler said the police came off second best last year and were keen to make up for the defeat.

“When we played league we had the wood over them, but the Army certainly got us at this point in time,” he said.

“We have played union three times and they have got us two out of three games.”

The 2021 match was fierce from the start with the first fists flying minutes after kick off.

“Everyone gets passionate and wound up because we are passionate about what the day is about,” A/Insp Wheeler said.

Pumped for the Brett Forte Cup are (from left) Sgt Michael Lawrence, Simon Donaldson and Acting Inspector Greg Wheeler. Brett Forte Cup memorial match will be played between Toowoomba Police and the Royal Australian Corps of Signals Rugby on September 3. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The Brett Forte Super 10s Memorial Rugby Challenge brings together five teams that include the Toowoomba Police Spartans, the Brisbane Police Cassowaries, the Page and Donaldson Realtors, the Highfields Redbacks and the Royal Australian Corps of Signals Rugby Union Football Club.

Money raised on the day will be donated to RACQ LifeFlight and the Community Supporting Police, which provide medical, residential and mental health services for police officers and their families.

The day starts with a curtain raiser between the Spartans and the Army for the Brett Forte Memorial Cup.

The 2021 Brett Forte Super 10s Memorial Rugby Challenge was big day of big hits and the same is expected this year. Picture: Nev Madsen.

This will be followed by a round robin tournament with all five teams.

A/Insp Wheeler said the day was held in memory of Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad Senior Constable Brett Forte who was killed in the line of duty.

“Brett chopper’s, the Brett A Forte chopper from Polair is coming up again and a couple of fellas from Brett’s unit are still playing with us,” he said

“Our captain Will Goodman was a great mate of Brett’s and we feel this is an appropriate way to honour Brett’s memory.

The QPS Pipes and Drums band will make an appearance along with the Horse Mounted Unit, the Dog Squad and Polair.

There will also be a police recruitment drive, giveaways, a canteen, raffles and entertainment from Clancy the QPS mascot.

Kick-off is at 10am on September 3 at the Highfields Sport complex.