The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has today confirmed its major achievements for 2021 at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Ballymore:
- In the absence of Government Funding, the QRU recorded an operating profit of $1,575,519 in 2021 compared to $162,182 the year before (largest operating profit for the business since professionalism began in 1995)
- 49% increase in total Women’s Rugby participation across Queensland
- 28% increase in total Community Rugby participation across Queensland with a 12% in club participation
- Queensland Reds crowned Super Rugby AU Champions
- New free-to-air broadcast and subscription with Nine/Stan for Super Rugby and Queensland Premier Grade Rugby
- First phase of $30 million Ballymore redevelopment underway for National Rugby Training Centre and new McLean Stand project
- Ballymore Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) approved to deliver commercially viable Masterplan
- Delivery of state-wide Women’s Leadership Program
Today’s meeting of members also confirmed Jeff Miller will be standing down as the role of QRU Chairman, with QRU Board Member and Managing Partner of Chemist Warehouse Stores in Queensland and northern New South Wales Brett Clark appointed to the position.
Having served on the QRU’s Board of Directors for the past two years, Clark comes to the role with a wealth of experience in the position having been a director of the ePharmacy/Chemist Warehouse and Market Reach Boards, as well spending a decade on the Queensland Ballet Board including the last six years as Chairman.
Clark also established the inaugural QRU Foundation which serves as the philanthropic branch of the business to support the game of rugby in Queensland that raised more than $1.5 million in its first six months of existence.
Following four decades of service to rugby as both a player and administrator, Miller will depart the QRU to focus on a new national role in his professional career as the Chief Growth Officer for medical finance company the Kooyong Group.
After making his Queensland debut in 1982, Miller played 69 games for Queensland and 26 Tests for Australia.
After retiring from Rugby, he moved into coaching and was the Wallabies assistant coach at the 1999 Rugby World Cup and then later the high-performance manager for Australian Rugby.
He soon returned home to Queensland and was appointed QRU CEO in 2001 before coaching the Reds between 2004 and 2006.
Miller then served as QRU President from 2015 to 2018 which flowed into his most recent role of Chairman (2018-2022).
After more than 10 years as an administrator at Ballymore, Miller recognised the stability, sustainability and success of the business and thanked the QRU Board and staff, plus members, clubs and the rugby community for their support and guidance during his tenure.
Today’s AGM also saw Ian Scotney elected as an Honorary Life Member.
Ian has devoted 59 continuous years of his life to Rugby as a player and referee.
He joined the Queensland Rugby Referees Association (QRRA) in 1972 during his time at Subdistricts Rugby Union and refereed first grade until 1988 that saw him officiate clubs and schools around the state.
In 1989 he was elected as one of the vice-presidents of the QRU before returning to Brisbane State High School as Chairman of the Rugby Committee between 1990-91.
He served on the Queensland Rugby Union Appointments Board, which was later replaced by the State Referee Committee (SRC), since 1993 to the present day and been Chairman since the SRC's inception in 2005.
Ian became an Australian referee selector in 1994 – a role he has continued until the present day and has been Chairman of the Australian referee selectors since 1998.
He has also been an International Rugby Board (IRB) assessor, performance reviewer and performance review auditor.
Ian was awarded the QRRA referee coach of the year in 2000 and a year later was awarded life membership of the QRRA.
He is currently chairman of the Australian Referee Selectors and Chairman of the SANZAR Referee Selection Group.
Ian’s nomination to the QRU for consideration for Honorary Life Membership was received from QRRA Honorary Treasurer Simon Moore and seconded by Easts President Simon Box, as well as GPS President Michael Taylor.
Meanwhile, Roger Gould was re-elected as QRU President, with Garrick Morgan and Libby Nankivell re-elected as Vice Presidents.
