QRL Employee Conference: Escape, experience, connect

Author: Jorja Brinums QRL content producer
Timestamp: Mon 11 Dec 2023, 02:34 PM

Queensland Rugby League brought its 100 employees from across the state together for the annual QRL Employee Conference at the Gold Coast.

The conference saw everyone from QRL head office, QRL North, QRL Central and QRL South East come together to learn from peers and hear from legends of the game discussing their different journeys and experiences in rugby league, strategise for the future and celebrate 2023 wins.

Queensland Rugby League people, capability and safety general manager Gemma Davidson said the conference enabled employees to escape to the Gold Coast hinterland, experience different things and connect.

“To be able to bring together our 100-strong workforce for three days to learn, grow and connect is something very special," Davidson said.

"Hearing from greats - past and present - in the game and celebrating the talent within our own teams led to an outstanding conference and great end to 2023 and kickstart into 2024."

Employees heard about the rugby league experience and journeys of Tweed Seagulls chief executive officer Brendon Lindsay, former Queensland Maroons star Darius Boyd, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett and QRL pathways and performance head coach Nathan Cross.

Panels included women's rugby league hall of famers Veronica White and Jo Barrett, Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons star Evania Pelite, NRL match official Belinda Sharpe, Gold Coast Titans wellbeing officer Carmen Taplin, representatives from the White Cloud Foundation and QRL North wellbeing and education manager McQuilty Quirke.

QRL community rugby league general manager Adam Vanzanten facilitated an activity where teams explored different scenarios faced by volunteers in community rugby league every day.

And QRL match officials manager Clayton Sharpe facilitated a session where people had to complete questions whilst physically fatigued to mimic the role of a match official during a rugby league game.

The conference then culminated in the 2023 Australiana-themed awards night recognising stand-out performers; nominees were subject to a panel of peer judges before the senior leadership team picked the final winners.

Each award winner was recognised with a trophy and voucher, in addition to nominating a charity important to them to donate $250 towards in 2024.