Queensland Rugby League can confirm Valkyries Queensland as a new addition to the 2021 BHP Premiership.
With the Souths Logan Magpies focusing on a 2022 return, Valkyries Queensland will take their place in an interim capacity with support from the QRL and its statewide clubs.
Valkyries will hit the ground running with the services of some of the game’s most experienced mentors, with Wayne Treleaven to head up the coaching reins with assistance from Trevor Bailey.
Treleaven has more than 200 games of head coaching experience from his time with Norths and Wests, with only Ipswich’s Ben and Shane Walker having coached more games in the Intrust Super Cup.
Treleaven and Bailey will be supported by a panel of high calibre coaches in Jamie Feeney, Deanna Turner, Kelvin Wright, and Tim McIntyre as the ‘Barbarians’-styled team gears up for Round 1 in April.
The BHP Premiership clubs expressed their support for the new team at a meeting last night, where they acknowledged the opportunities it will provide for fringe players within their squads.
“While it is disappointing to not have Souths Logan Magpies a part of the BHP Premiership for the 2021 season, the redeeming feature is the fact that it will give players an opportunity from other clubs and regions to put their hand up and show that they belong at this level,” QRL statewide competitions manager Dave Maiden said.
While a small number of Souths Logan players will turn out for Valkyries Queensland, the remaining players will come from the books of the seven other clubs who have up to 32 registered players.
Coaches will approve Valkyries selections on a week-to-week basis.
This new team will also look at identifying and fast tracking Harvey Norman Under 19 talent in an attempt to elevate them to the standard of the BHP Premiership.
Maiden said this year’s BHP Premiership would be closely monitored by Queensland selectors with spots in the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons and state under 19 teams up for grabs.
“This is one of the reasons why we moved fast to establish a new team … it simply wasn’t practical to have a bye round in what is already a shortened competition,” Maiden said.
“I do want to stress that his is an Interim measure and we will work closely with Souths Logan to ensure their return in 2022, as we respect the work they have done to develop the female game over many years.”
