The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) are delighted to announce the extension and growth of their partnership with Rio Tinto, until the end of 2025.
For over a decade Rio Tinto has partnered with QRU to support delivery of the Future Indigenous Leaders Program (FILP) and the annual Queensland Reds Super Rugby Pacific Indigenous Round fixture, where the Reds wear a unique Indigenous Jersey designed every year by a student from the FILP.
Under the new partnership agreement, Rio Tinto will increase its investment to include several new initiatives designed to build upon the success of the program.
Rio Tinto’s funding will be allocated by the QRU Indigenous Advisory Group (IAG) across Rugby outcomes for Indigenous boys and girls in Queensland. The FILP will grow with the employment of a third mentor and look for additional opportunities within metropolitan Queensland and other regional communities beyond the existing activations in Cherbourg and Woorabinda.
The annual Indigenous Round will see increased investment , and Rio Tinto will, for the first time, also invest directly in the Queensland Reds Super Rugby and Super W programs and their pursuit of excellence on and off the field.
QRU Chief Executive David Hanham said the extension demonstrated the success of the program over the past decade, and thanked Rio Tinto for their wonderful contribution towards that success.
“The FILP is something very near and dear to the QRU, and without Rio Tinto’s support it simply wouldn’t have achieved the outcomes it has thus far – nor would it have such an exciting future,” Hanham said.
“The FILP focuses first and foremost on helping Indigenous youth in our state develop leadership capabilities, be exposed to new and exciting networks, and most importantly continue to celebrate their cultures and help us to do so alongside them.
“Rio Tinto’s increased involvement with the QRU is a positive reflection of a wonderful relationship and a shared vision , and we are sincerely grateful that Rio see the value of Rugby as the conduit for incredibly important life outcomes with Indigenous Australians.”
Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, Kellie Parker said the company was proud to extend and grow its partnership with the QRU.
“After 10 successful years, this new era of our partnership will see us focus on increasing the scale of the Future Indigenous Leaders Program and developing more pathways for its graduates to join our business.
“We have a long history of operating in Queensland, from Brisbane to the Cape York Peninsula, and we are pleased to also be directly supporting the state’s Super W and Super Rugby teams in 2023.”
Launched in 2013, the FILP aims to provide mentoring, guidance and leadership development to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in Years 6 to 10 from the communities of Cherbourg and Woorabinda.
Every year, the program includes face-to-face visits in their community or school from Queensland Rugby Union Indigenous Programs Mentors, two five-day leadership camps, the opportunity to design the Queensland Reds Indigenous Playing jersey and the invitation to attend and be involved at the Queensland Reds Indigenous Round match at Suncorp Stadium.
Thanks to the support of Rio Tinto, the program has mentored 350 students since 2013 and has achieved a 100% primary to secondary school transition rate across 24 schools across Queensland.
