The Queensland Rugby Union has today launched its five-year strategic plan to deliver sustained success for the code in the state and reach 100,000 participants across Queensland by 2030.
VIEW THE FULL 2026-2030 STRATEGIC PLAN HERE
The aspirational tone to the Strategic Plan is embraced in Queensland Rugby’s four pillars:
- Grow the game
- Winning teams in red
- Ignite passion for rugby
- Secure our commercial future
QRU Chief Executive David Hanham says the strategic plan is an essential roadmap to drive actions and inspire the growth possible in the code in the coming years.
Hanham said the Queensland Rugby Strategic Plan 2026-30 had involved a thorough 14-month process to define the vision, pillars and potential for the code in Queensland.
“Our vision is to be the best rugby province in the world,” Hanham said.
“We know this vision isn’t achieved overnight but over the past seven years we have built an incredibly strong platform to launch from.
“With more than 84,000 participants, a thriving club and school pathway, a world-class high-performance facility and the quality of players and coaches across Queensland, we are committed to striving for excellence and continual improvement in everything we do.
“We are determined to deliver sustained on-field success by creating an environment where both our men’s and women’s teams consistently compete for Super Rugby finals and ultimately in this five-year period can bring a Super Rugby Pacific title to Queensland.
"We know this performance will be critical to igniting our Reds fans to build a fortress at Suncorp Stadium. Creating memorable experiences for fans and members is a major part of our ambition to host average crowds of over 25,000.”
With more than 80,000 rugby participants across the state in 2025, the aim is to reach 100,000 male and female participants by 2030, Hanham said.
The men’s 2027 Rugby World Cup, the women’s 2029 Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics are the additional backdrop of rugby inspiration for boys and girls in Queensland.
Queensland Rugby will be leveraging these major global rugby events to inspire the passion for rugby.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity with global flagship events coming to Australia, the men’s 2027 Rugby World Cup, the women’s 2029 Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, and we are determined to harness this moment to maximise performance and grow the game right across Queensland,” Hanham said.
The Strategic Plan details four priorities to drive increased participation at every level.
Quality community rugby experiences can attract and retain players. Strengthening participation programs and competitions, ensuring schools and clubs are supported and upskilling capability across the community rugby network can do the same.
“With more than 23,000 females playing rugby in Queensland, this is where innovative programs like Girls Can Tackle Anything are so powerful. It provides a safe, supportive, girls-only entry point for players, aged four to 12, while also developing the next generation of female coaches, officials and volunteers,” Hanham said.
The Strategic Plan outlines the on-field goal of sustained success for the Queensland Reds men’s and women’s teams with Super Rugby titles for both by 2030.
Building squads for sustained success and closing the gap between the professional and Academy programs is a priority to support these ambitions.
By 2030, average crowds of 25,000 at Suncorp Stadium and hitting 18,000 Reds Members are markers to aspire to.
The continued transformation of Ballymore into a world-class high performance and community precinct with a redevelopment to replace the dilapidated Eastern Stand is also high on the list for the QRU.
“Completing the redevelopment of Ballymore is a priority and finishing it as a truly world-class high-performance and community precinct is critical to our future. The BMS National Rugby Training Centre was delivered on time and on budget in 2023, which shows what can be achieved through strong advocacy, clear vision and good planning,” Hanham said.
“We will continue to strengthen our financial position through innovative commercial partnerships, by growing our traditional revenue streams and by exploring new opportunities to ensure longer term growth and sustainability.
“Hard work and hard decision-making have been at the heart of where we are today and gets us to a position where we are unashamedly aspirational."
