The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has today confirmed it is near completion of the Queensland Reds Women’s ‘Cap Project’, thanks in large to the efforts of Vintage Red Vanessa Bradley.
After the Reds’ men’s Cap project was completed ahead of their 2017 season, identifying over 1200 capped Queensland Reds across nearly 1000 matches, Bradley went about working towards a similar outcome for the women who have represented Queensland.
Bradley has reconnected with a vast network of women who have donned the maroon jersey since the first capped match in 1996, and has uncovered 237 capped Queensland Reds, with 16-year-old Malaela Su’a set to become player 238 this weekend as she starts at inside centre in the Reds Round 2 Super W clash against the Fijiana Drua at Suncorp Stadium.
All players who have represented Queensland have been allocated a special ‘Queensland Cap Number’, in line with when they made their debut.
With QRU set to host their annual Women’s Round on Saturday, 2 April, as the Reds’ women host the Melbourne Rebels and the Reds’ men hosting the Brumbies, at the end of the Round 5 Super W clash the current Reds players will be presented with their official Queensland Caps, while vintage Queensland Reds players will be presented with their Queensland Caps at a function earlier in the day.
Ahead of this milestone, QRU would like to present the research documentation to the Queensland Rugby community to scrutinise online, and submit any new or extra supporting information they might have.
Queensland Rugby’s CEO David Hanham said: “We’ve seen over the last few years our rich history come to life through the work that was done on the Reds’ men’s Cap Project, and it’s special that our Women’s representatives will be able to share in that as we enter a new era for Rugby.
“When players make their Queensland debut after the 2 April this year, they will know their specific Queensland Cap number, and will understand the history of those who have come before them.
“I must commend Vanessa Bradley for the work she has done. It wasn’t an easy task to build this list, but through her own efforts she has complied an extensive list of players and the details of their debuts.
“While Vanessa has done an excellent job in collating this research, we recognise that it is possible there are pieces of information that may be missing that may add clarity or provide new details to this important piece of work.
“This is why we’re asking the Rugby community to go online and study the research, and if they believe they have further information that could assist in the completion of the project, please contact us.”
To access the QRU’s cap project CLICK HERE.
Individuals with any supporting, new or extra information should contact Vanessa Bradley via email at vqbradley@outlook.com before Monday, March 28.
