The Queensland Rugby Football League (QRL) is the governing body for rugby league in Queensland. It is a member of the Australian Rugby League Commission and selects the members of the Queensland rugby league team.
Founders of the QRL, 1907
Rugby league in Queensland
Rugby league in Queensland is the most watched winter sport in the state and the second most participated football code after soccer. Rugby league was introduced in 1908 and within just a few years it surpassed rugby union there to become the most popular football code as players switched to play professionally in the Queensland Rugby League. In the 1920s, Queenslanders began leaving to play professionally in the New South Wales Rugby League which became a more popular competition. However Queensland maintained a strong rugby league culture, with the state continuing to perform well in interstate rugby league. The later advent of the State of Origin series ensured that players would return to represent their state.
Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium
Toombul Football Club, first Queensland premiers in 1908
Queensland vs New South Wales interstate match, 1920
Wally Lewis statue outside Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park), Brisbane (2022)