The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has today confirmed the Queensland Reds Women’s Cap Project has been completed, ahead of this weekend’s Women in Rugby Round Double Header at Suncorp Stadium.
Vintage Red Vanessa Bradley has worked hard over the last eight months to document 26 years of Women’s Rugby history, identifying a total of 238 women who have represented Queensland since the first capped match in 1996.
Both Vintage and current Queensland Reds will this weekend receive their physical Queensland Cap, and find out their individual Queensland Cap number, as part of a special ceremony at Suncorp Stadium.
Prior to the Reds Round 5 Super W clash against the Melbourne Rebels, the Vintage Reds women will take part in a Cap presentation event at Suncorp Stadium before forming a guard of honour for the current team as they take to the field.
The match-day-23 will then be presented with their Caps post-match by the Vintage Reds women on field, before then together taking a lap of honour around the Stadium.
“Collating this information has taken the best part of eight months,” said Bradley.
“Shirley Russell was heavily involved in the Vintage Reds and there was a desire to complete the Women’s Cap project and she knew this is something I would enjoy.
“I’ve been fortunate to have long service leave and have been able to dedicate my time to the project. The process has involved going over hours of footage, working with former coaches and managers and sourcing old programs and team sheets.
“Given I played from 1996 through to 2009, I was able to identify a lot of players and reconnect with them. I’ve relived 26 years of Women’s Rugby, it’s been a great trip down memory lane.
“We set up a Facebook group which acted as a communication tool for the generations of Queensland players, and individuals were able to send through old programs, newspaper clippings, photos etc and then we were able to cross reference sources against each other.
“When women debut for Queensland in the future, they will know their own individual Cap number and will know where they fit into Queensland Rugby history. I want that to be my gift to the game.
“This weekend I’m really looking forward to being on field with over 100 other women who have shared the same experience, playing for Queensland, and just absorbing the occasion.”
The QRU is immensely grateful to the Neilsen Group for their philanthropic support of this important cultural moment in the history of Rugby Union. In particular, we thank Mrs Paula Neilsen and Mr Raymond Neilsen for their advocacy and generosity.
Shannon Parry OAM, Queensland Reds Super W Captain said: “This weekend marks an important moment in the recognition of Women’s Rugby in Queensland.
“The Cap Project would not have been possible without the generous support of Paula and Raymond Neilsen. Their donation has enabled the QRU to take this step and we thank them dearly.
“This weekend we will honour both our past-and-present players, while also hopefully inspiring future players in the stands and those watching at home. It will be a great celebration for the Women’s game.”
Saturday’s Women in Rugby Round will see Suncorp Stadium play host to it’s second double header of 2022, with the Queensland Reds Women set to face the Melbourne Rebels in Round 5 of the Super W competition, kick-off at 4:00pm AEST, while the Reds Men will take on the Brumbies in Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific, kick-off at 6:45pm AEST. Tickets are available via: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=REDS0422
