As if free entry to watch Bond University Queensland Country’s first game in the inaugural National Rugby Championship (NRC) wasn’t enough of a drawcard to attend this Saturday; rugby fans will also be treated to the Senior Schoolboy Showdown as a curtain-raiser!
Bond University, who are the naming-rights partner of Queensland Country as well as the official hosts of the game, will be underwriting the costs to acknowledge the support of the local rugby community, which will allow all fans to celebrate the first game under Bond’s new partnership with Queensland Rugby.
Queensland Country begin their NRC campaign this Saturday 30 August, against the NSW Country Eagles at Bond University’s rugby field, with kick off at 3.00pm.
However, before this match begins, Bond will be staging an awesome, and truly unique, curtain-raiser: the Senior Schoolboy Showdown, which kicks off at 1.00pm.
Eleven schools from across the Gold Coast will be represented in the Senior Schoolboy Showdown, which will be played in true Barbarian style – it will be an open, free-flowing style of game with players wearing their individual school socks to identify where they’re from.
The schoolboys have been under the tutelage of the Bond University Premier and Colts coaches for the past two weeks.
According to Tim Rowlands, General Manager of Bond University Rugby Club, the coaches have been very impressed with the array of talent that will be on show at Saturday’s match.
“These boys have the talent and the aspiration to go on to bigger and better things, and the BURC is delighted to give them the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of an appreciative crowd,” Tim said.
The NRC is a new domestic Rugby competition, involving nine teams from across Australia. The inaugural season will run from August to November and will provide another link in players’ development pathway towards Super Rugby and ultimately Wallabies selection.
Queensland Rugby is fielding two teams in the competition – Brisbane City and Queensland Country – with Reds players split between the two squads. Players were chosen for either City or Country based on their existing player pathway and high performance discretion, to ensure an even split of talent between the two sides.
All other NRC games involving the two Queensland sides will be ticketed as previously advertised.
Hospitality packages for the Queensland Country game against the NSW Country Eagles at Bond University on Saturday August 30 are still available.Â