Queensland Rugby League chairman Peter Betros caught up with QRL TV this week from the Maroons’ new training base at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove.
The active chairman’s visit to the Gold Coast follows a number of recent trips into Queensland’s country and regional areas.
“I like to get around everywhere and meet people, especially the volunteers,” Betros told QRL TV.
“The people who actually do the hard work on the ground, week in week out.
“They don’t do it for anything, except they just love the game of rugby league. They really just enjoy getting out there with their mates and making sure the kids have a game, and when the kids finish, the adults get a game.”
The former Ipswich referee and South East Division chairman said it was terrific to see the PNG Hunters in the Intrust Super Cup.
“They’ve created an enormous amount of interest,” he said.
“They tell me at Langlands Park on Sunday there were line ups down the road to get in and the game had to be held up to get the crowd in.
“They filled the grandstand and both ends of the ground were full. They’re creating a lot of interest and all the teams are performing very well.”
Another early success story this year has been the growth in Maroon Memberships sales, with this revenue to be pumped back into grassroots rugby league.
“We’re well ahead of where we thought we would be with Maroon Memberships,” Betros said.
“There are two games at Suncorp Stadium this year and there still are tickets available for both games.
“People sometimes think they get sold out very quickly and don’t bother trying to buy their tickets, but there are public tickets still on sale and I would encourage anyone that wants to come to Origin, particularly Origin 1 for the 100th game, to get in now and buy their tickets so they don't miss out.”
