
The long-awaited 2021 Toowoomba Rugby League season will kick off in a fun and exciting way this weekend.
After witnessing a number of trial matches to allow for teams to add the finishing touches to their season campaigns, the inaugural Tom Gorman Challenge pre-season competition will feature most of the competition vying to earn the first piece of silverware on offer in 2021.
TRL chair Rex Zeeman can't wait for the new pre-season drawcard, which honours one of Toowoomba’s most decorated players.
"After the year we had in 2020, the Tom Gorman Challenge is a fantastic way to kick start the 2021 rugby league season," Zeeman said.
"Every participating club is guaranteed a minimum of three games, which is a great preparation for the TRL season that commences on April 10.
"It will also give the local economy a boost."
Born in 1901, Gorman was an outstanding schoolboy footballer. At 16, he represented Toowoomba against an army side and played for the local Brothers rugby union team before switching to rugby league in 1920.
Playing as centre for what became an incomparable Toowoomba team - dubbed 'the galloping Clydesdales' - the star three-quarter represented the Queensland side that defeated New South Wales for the first time since the establishment of the code in 1908.
Gorman represented his state for the remainder of the 1920s as well as making his debut for Australia against a touring English team at the Sydney Cricket Ground on June 23, 1924.

The star also played in 10 consecutive Tests between the two countries; captaining Australia both in the 1928 home series and on the fourth Kangaroo tour of England in 1929-30.
Passing away in 1978, Gorman was remembered as an elusive centre and sure-handler of the ball, who gave a perfect pass and was adept at the art of short kicking.
The Tom Gorman Challenge will kick-off in conjunction with the Toowoomba Rugby League season launch at Glenholme Park on Friday night.
Tom Gorman Challenge draw
Friday, March 26
Time | Field 1 | Field 2 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
6pm | A | Brothers v Souths | W | Brothers v Newtown |
7pm | W | Gatton v Dalby | B | Pittsworth v Newtown |
8pm | A | Western Mustangs v Gatton | B | Dalby v Highfields |
Saturday, March 27
Time | Field 1 | Field 2 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
10am | B | Highfields v Newtown | A | Western Mustangs v Souths |
11am | B | Dalby v Pittsworth | A | Brothers v Gatton |
12pm | W | Brothers v Dalby | W | Newtown v Gatton |
1pm | A | Brothers v Western Mustangs | B | Newtown v Gatton |
2pm | HNU19 | Western Mustangs v Wide Bay Bulls | A | Gatton v Souths |
3pm | HNU19 | Western Mustangs v Wide Bay Bulls | B | Pittsworth v Highfields |
4pm | ABMMC | Western Mustangs v Wide Bay Bulls | W | Brothers v Gatton |
5pm | ABMMC | Western Mustangs v Wide Bay Bulls | W | Newtown v Dalby |
6pm | SF1 | Pool A 1st v Pool B 2nd | SF2 | Pool A 2nd v Pool B 1st |
7pm | W | Ladder #1 v Ladder #2 | ||
8pm | GF | Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 |