Maroons nominated for prestigious QSport award

The all-conquering Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons are in the running for more silverware.

In a major accomplishment for women’s rugby league, the Maroons have been nominated for the 2021 XXXX Queensland Sport Team of the Year Award.

The other nominees for the prestigious award are the Australian Women's Olympic 4x100m freestyle team, Brisbane Lions AFLW team, Queensland Bulls Sheffield Shield team and the Queensland Reds Super Rugby team.

The winner to be announced at the annual Queensland Sport Awards presentation evening on November 25 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Other rugby league nominees are NRL Schoolboy Cup Queensland final winners Palm Beach Currumbin State High School in the Queensland Junior Team of the Year category and the late Jack Reardon, who will be inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame. Reardon captained Queensland and vice captained Australia, before moving to a 30-year stint as chief rugby league writer at The Courier-Mail.

The awards are coordinated by QSport, with support from the State Government and major sporting bodies, to recognise the outstanding achievements of Queenslanders each year in sport.

While the Maroons will be up against a classy field, the achievements of Queensland’s premier female rugby league team should not be underestimated.

Led by first-year coach Tahnee Norris and experienced captain Ali Brigginshaw, the Maroons once again captured the hearts of the state’s league fans by producing an outstanding team performance to beat fierce rivals New South Wales.

Queensland players left nothing in reserve as they tackled their way to a gritty 8-6 win to clinch the annual shield in front of a passionate home crowd on the Sunshine Coast.

After losing the first two State of Origin games at North Sydney Oval in 2018 and 2019, the Maroons have now hit back to be the pride of the state with two memorable victories.

In a landmark season for women’s rugby league, the Maroons enjoyed an extended preparation in 2021 with increased financial support for each squad member.

Off the field, players and coaches conducted themselves in an exemplary manner during camp, undertaking daily media, documentary and broadcast commitments, as well as a popular fan day at Mooloolaba Beach and school and junior club clinic visits. 

This community engagement, coupled with the team’s outstanding on-field performance, will no doubt inspire the next generation of Queensland Maroons.

QRL chief executive officer Rohan Sawyer welcomed today’s news.

“To be named as a finalist in such a coveted category of the QSport awards is a significant achievement,” Sawyer said.

“This team showed enormous skill and courage to overcome a formidable opponent in difficult conditions. This nomination is a credit to all players and coaches, and also reflects the growth and overall strength of our female programs and pathways.”