SOME of South East Queenslands brightest rugby league talent shone over the weekend at the Queensland Pacific Island Cultural Carnival (QPICC) at Beenleigh.
It was touted as an event not to be missed and it certainly didnt disappoint. The competition was fierce amongst competing teams with an exciting brand of rugby league on display, as all teams battled it out to be crowned the 2013 Queensland Pacific Island Cultural Carnival Champions.
In the end though, it was the star of the Queensland Maoris that shone the brightest, winning three out of the four divisions (Under 14, Under 18 and Open Mens); with Samoa preventing a clean sweep by taking out the Under 16 title.
The family-friendly carnival which was a drug and alcohol free event proved a great success in its initial year with local dignitaries amazed by the community support of the event, as spectators turned out in droves.
Everyone involved has done a tremendous job to get this off the ground and to see the crowds weve seen here for the festival over the last two days has been great, SEQ Chairman, Brad Tallon said.
Tallon (who is also a Queensland Rugby League board member) joined SEQ Division Manager Michael Pease along with local and state government officials at the Cultural Carnival across the weekend.
Special guests in attendance at the opening ceremony included:
Mike Latter Member for Queensland Parliament (LNP)
Pam Parker Mayor, Logan City Council
Russell Lutton Deputy Mayor, Logan City Council
Phil Pidgeon Division 9 Councillor, Logan City Council
Brad TallonSEQ Division Chairman, QRL
Michael PeaseSEQ Division Manager
During their opening ceremony address, government officials in attendance offered their continued support of the event and were particularly pleased to see so many people from the local community turn out.
The carnival represents the growth of rugby league seen in South East Queensland and will only continue to grow in the years to come.
Its been something thats been building in the Pacific Island communities for a little while, weve had a few individual teams play at various points in time, but the opportunity to get a festival like this together is fabulous, Tallon said.
I guess when we heard about the concept of it getting off the ground late last year and then earlier this year, we were excited by the prospect of it happening.
Its great for rugby league and its great for the community.
Its important that from a rugby league perspective and a community perspective that these types of events go ahead.
The success of the carnival has organisers looking to make it a permanent fixture on the Queensland Rugby League Calendar.
Final Scores
Under 14 QPICC Final
Queensland Maori 28 def Rugby League Samoa Queensland (RLSQ) 8
Under 16 QPICC Final
Rugby League Samoa Queensland 22 def Cook Islands 0
Under 18 QPICC Final
Queensland Maori 24 def Rugby League Samoa Queensland 18
Opens QPICC Final
Queensland Maori 28 def Cook Islands 0
Photos: Contributed
