November 22, 2016
The Western Mustangs rugby league club – formerly known as the Toowoomba Clydesdales – have confirmed they will be bidding to join the Intrust Super Cup competition in 2018.
The NRL announced last week that the Queensland State competition would expand to 16 teams from the current 14.
If the Mustangs are successful in their application, it would give South Burnett players another opportunity to take their rugby league to the next level.
The Clydesdales / Mustangs last played in the State competition in 2006.
“The new model is designed to provide a clearer pathway for elite junior players aiming to play in the NRL,” NRL Head of Football Brian Canavan said.
“We believe this is the best way to expand the game in the short term and create a sustainable competition structure for the long term.
“We have been concerned for some time about the welfare issues affecting many young players struggling to cope with the pressures of the National Youth Competition (which has been replaced).
“This model will enable more juniors to stay at home, rather than having to move away from their families, to play Rugby League.”
The Mustangs’ home base will be Toowoomba but players will be drawn from across the region, including Roma and Kingaroy.
The club has also signed an affiliation agreement with the Gold Coast Titans.
The Mustangs have recently held trials to select Under 18 and Under 20 squads as well as an Open side.
Players from the 2016 Burnett Blue and Burnett White teams and the Kingaroy Red Ants took part.
Byron Begeda (Burnett Blue), Kirby Rubesaame (Burnett White) and Alex Dunemann (Kingaroy Red Ants) earned a spot in the U18 squad.
The U18s and U20s will play in a shortened statewide competition in early 2017.
