Queensland Premier Rugby

Queensland Premier Rugby
Sport	Rugby union
Founded	1887;137 years ago
No. of teams	9
Country	Australia
Most recent; champion(s)	Brothers (2023)
Most titles	University of Queensland (33 titles)
TV partner(s)	Stan Sport; Nine Network

Last updated July 07, 2024

Queensland Premier Rugby is a semi professional club rugby union competition in Queensland, Australia. Nine clubs play in the competition, eight clubs are from Brisbane, and one club is from Gold Coast.
The premiership has been contested in its present form since 1929.^[1]

History

Queensland Premier Rugby (QPR) evolved out of the Brisbane club competition that had been running since 1887. It was created by players, administrators, referees and coaches to expand and improve the top level of Queensland non-professional rugby. QPR provides Queensland rugby players a stepping stone for selection into the Queensland Reds and other teams in Super Rugby or other professional rugby competitions.

Previous to 1920, the Hospitals Challenge Cup was established as a fund-raising exercise for the Brisbane General Hospital. After the devastation of World War I the competition was suspended until the Hospitals Cup was established. The Brisbane Club competition recommenced in 1929.

The 1975 Grand Final was played between the Brothers club and GPS and Brothers won the match. Teachers-Norths, Wests and again Brothers won the next seasons. In 1979, the first ever draw in a final occurred with a 24-all draw between rivals University and Brothers, a reply of the final was held, which saw University defeat Brothers by a mere 3 points. Brothers dominated the next few seasons, winning the 1980 to 1984 premierships. Souths won their first title in 1986, and University won a number of titles at the end of the decade.

Souths came to major prominence during the 1990s, winning the competition five times in a row from 1991 through to 1995, and then again in 1998 and 2000. They also featured in the 1996 season final which GPS won, and the 1997 final which Easts won. Canberra also competed in the competition, and found major success, winning three titles in a row from 2001 to 2003. The Gold Coast Breakers also began to become a force in the competition, featuring in five finals from 2001 to 2007, although they were on the receiving end of the competitions largest ever grand final score being thrashed 85-19 by the Sunnybank Dragons in the 2007 Grand Final.

In future, teams from other Rugby regions in Queensland may also join the competition, thus encouraging the pursuit of Rugby excellence across the state, not just confining it Queensland's south-east corner. However at a meeting of the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union in October 2013, it was decided by the members not to compete in the 2014 QRU’s Premier Rugby Competition, but will instead focus its energy on becoming the leading force in regional rugby.^[2]

Other trophies

Thomas Welsby Memorial Cup: The top two first grade teams at the end of the first full round of home and away matches contest the Welsby Cup in their second round meeting. The cup was originally donated by Thomas Welsby.

Keith Horsley Memorial Trophy: Now presented to First Grade Minor Premiers, since 1978. The trophy donated by the Family of Sgt Keith Thornton Horsley who was Killed in Action during WW2.

Doughty Challenge Shield: Named for businessman Hector Randall Doughty,^[3] a former marine engineer with the Queensland Harbours and Rivers Department and lightweight champion boxer,^[4] the Doughty Shield is awarded annually to the champion Brisbane club, based on competition points won across all participating grades.

Queensland Premier Rugby Teams

Current Teams

Queensland Premier Rugby Club	Moniker	City/Region/Town	Suburb/s	Est.	Premiership/s	Most recent
Brothers	Filth	Brisbane	Albion	1905	29^{[lower-alpha 1]}	2023;1 year ago (2023)
University of Queensland	Students	Brisbane	St Lucia	1911	33^{[lower-alpha 2]}	2021;3 years ago (2021)
GPS Brisbane	Gallopers	Brisbane	Ashgrove	1931	6	2018;6 years ago (2018)
South Brisbane	Magpies	Brisbane	Annerley	1948	10	2015;9 years ago (2015)
East Brisbane	Tigers	Brisbane	Norman Park	1947	5	2020;4 years ago (2020)
West Brisbane	Bulldogs	Brisbane	Toowong	1951	4	2022;2 years ago (2022)
Sunnybank	Dragons	Brisbane	MacGregor	1969	3	2011;13 years ago (2011)
North Brisbane	Eagles	Brisbane	Wooloowin	1991	2^{[lower-alpha 3]}	1976;48 years ago (1976)
Bond University*	Bullsharks	Gold Coast	Robina	2014	1^{[lower-alpha 4]}	2004;20 years ago (2004)

Former Teams

Queensland Premier Rugby Club	Moniker	City/Region/Town	Suburb/s	Est.	Premiership/s	Most recent
Gold Coast*	Breakers	Gold Coast	Robina	1996	1^{[lower-alpha 5]}	2004;20 years ago (2004)
Sunshine Coast	Stingrays	Sunshine Coast	K. Waters	2005
Canberra	Vikings	Canberra	Canberra	1994	3	2003;21 years ago (2003)

Gold Coast Breakers were reformed as Bond University Bullsharks

Grand Final results, Hospital Cup winners (since 1946)

2023	Brothers Brisbane	26–24	West Brisbane
2022	West Brisbane	44–27	University of Queensland
2021	University of Queensland	29–12	GPS Brisbane
2020	East Brisbane	33–18	University of Queensland
2019	University of Queensland	31–26	Brothers Brisbane
2018	GPS Brisbane	23–16	University of Queensland
2017	University of Queensland	23–14	GPS Brisbane
2016	Brothers Brisbane	31–28	University of Queensland
2015	South Brisbane	39–12	East Brisbane
2014	University of Queensland	20–18	Sunnybank
2013	East Brisbane	27–22	GPS Brisbane
2012	University of Queensland	46–20	Sunnybank
2011	Sunnybank	35–24	Brothers Brisbane
2010	University of Queensland	19–11	Sunshine Coast
2009	Brothers Brisbane	26–19	South Brisbane
2008	East Brisbane	22–21	Brothers Brisbane
2007	Sunnybank	85–19	Gold Coast
2006	West Brisbane	23–22	Brothers Brisbane
2005	Sunnybank	41–17	Gold Coast
2004	Gold Coast	24–18	University of Queensland
2003	Canberra	29–16	Gold Coast
2002	Canberra	45–3	East Brisbane
2001	Canberra	32–10	Gold Coast
2000	South Brisbane	34–30	West Brisbane
1999	East Brisbane	16–15	West Brisbane
1998	South Brisbane	34–18	West Brisbane
1997	East Brisbane	18–16	South Brisbane
1996	GPS Brisbane	12–6	South Brisbane
1995	South Brisbane	27–11	East Brisbane
1994	South Brisbane	19–8	Sunnybank
1993	South Brisbane	27–8	Sunnybank
1992	South Brisbane	44–10	University of Queensland
1991	South Brisbane	22–15	West Brisbane
1990	University of Queensland	19–10	Brothers Brisbane
1989	University of Queensland	34–9	South Brisbane
1988	University of Queensland	18–10	South Brisbane
1987	Brothers Brisbane	20–19	South Brisbane
1986	South Brisbane	31–13	Brothers Brisbane
1985	West Brisbane	10–7	University of Queensland
1984	Brothers Brisbane	18–3	East Brisbane
1983	Brothers Brisbane	30–15	University of Queensland
1982	Brothers Brisbane	25–16	University of Queensland
1981	Brothers Brisbane	36–13	Teachers-North Brisbane
1980	Brothers Brisbane	19–0	South Brisbane
1979	University of Queensland	16–13	Brothers Brisbane
1978	Brothers Brisbane	19–15	University of Queensland
1977	West Brisbane	15–10	Brothers Brisbane
1976	Teachers-North Brisbane	16–4	GPS Brisbane
1975	Brothers Brisbane	23–6	GPS Brisbane
1974	Brothers Brisbane	27–19	GPS Brisbane
1973	Brothers Brisbane	20–10	GPS Brisbane
1972	GPS Brisbane	23–18	University of Queensland
1971	Brothers Brisbane	17–3	East Brisbane
1970	University of Queensland	24–6	GPS Brisbane
1969	University of Queensland	22–14	Brothers Brisbane
1968	Brothers Brisbane	17–6	University of Queensland
1967	University of Queensland	17–15	GPS Brisbane
1966	Brothers Brisbane	36–9	University of Queensland
1965	University of Queensland	17–15	GPS Brisbane
1964	University of Queensland	29–9	Teachers-North Brisbane
1963	Teachers-North Brisbane	28–6	University of Queensland
1962	University of Queensland	18–12	South Brisbane
1961	GPS Brisbane	19–13	University of Queensland
1960	University of Queensland	11–6	Brothers Brisbane
1959	Brothers Brisbane	13–11	University of Queensland
1958	South Brisbane	9–5	University of Queensland
1957	University of Queensland	23–18	South Brisbane
1956	University of Queensland	19–6	GPS Brisbane
1955	University of Queensland	18–16	South Brisbane
1954	University of Queensland	19–3	GPS Brisbane
1953	Brothers Brisbane	11–9	University of Queensland
1952	University of Queensland	11–3	Brothers Brisbane
1951	Brothers Brisbane	17–6	GPS Brisbane
1950	Brothers Brisbane	21–10	University of Queensland
1949	Brothers Brisbane	13–8	University of Queensland
1948	University of Queensland	21–18	GPS Brisbane
1947	University of Queensland	8–6	Brothers Brisbane
1946	Brothers Brisbane	11–6	GPS Brisbane

Total Premierships (since 1946)

Team	Premiers (Hospitals Challenge Cup)	Runners-up (Vince Nicholls Memorial Shield)
University of Queensland	24	20
Brothers	22	12
Souths	10	10
Easts	5	5
GPS	4	15
Wests	4	5
Sunnybank	3	4
Norths	0	0
Bond University	0	0

Canberra	3	0
Gold Coast	1	4
Teachers-Norths	1	1
Teachers	1	1
Sunshine Coast Stingrays	0	1

Former clubs (since 1929)

B.G.S. Old Boys, Y.M.C.A., Valleys, Wynnum, Past Commercials/Technical College Old Boys
West End, South Brisbane, Combined High School Old Boys, Starlights (Ipswich)
Valley Playground Old Boys, Eagle Junction, New Farm, Bretts-Windsor
Mayne, Windsor, R.A.A.F.
Maristonians, Police, Northern Districts
United Services, R.A.A.F. Amberley, Army
Teachers, Gold Coast Eagles, Q.I.T./Colleges, Ipswich Rangers
Redcliffe, Teachers-Norths, Kenmore
Canberra Vikings, Sunshine Coast Stingrays, Gold Coast Breakers

Notes

↑ 27 QRU, 1 BRL.
↑ 31 QRU, 2 BRL.
↑ Both Premierships were as Teachers / Teachers–Norths.
↑ As Gold Coast Breakers.
↑ As Gold Coast Breakers.

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References

↑ Queensland qru | Hospital Cup Winners Archived August 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
↑ "SCRU to Consolidate its Position | Sunshine Coast Rugby Union". www.scru.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013.
↑ "Eagle Junction's good season". The Courier-Mail . 13 February 1937. Retrieved 17 November 2014– via Trove.
↑ "New manager and referee Mr. Doughty and Major Craig". The Referee . 5 July 1922. Retrieved 17 November 2014– via Trove.

External links

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[5] 27 QRU, 1 BRL.

[6] 31 QRU, 2 BRL.

[7] Both Premierships were as Teachers / Teachers–Norths.

[8] As Gold Coast Breakers.

[9] As Gold Coast Breakers.

[1] Queensland qru | Hospital Cup Winners Archived August 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine

[2] "SCRU to Consolidate its Position | Sunshine Coast Rugby Union". www.scru.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013.

[cm-1937-3] "Eagle Junction's good season". The Courier-Mail . 13 February 1937. Retrieved 17 November 2014– via Trove.

[referee-1922-4] "New manager and referee Mr. Doughty and Major Craig". The Referee . 5 July 1922. Retrieved 17 November 2014– via Trove.

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v t e Queensland Rugby Union
Member of the Australian Rugby Union
Super Rugby team	Queensland Reds
Super W teams	Queensland Reds Women
NRC teams	Brisbane City Queensland Country
Premier Rugby	Bond University Brothers Easts GPS Norths Souths Sunnybank University of Queensland Wests
Venues	Ballymore Stadium Lang Park
Regional bodies	Queensland Suburban Rugby Union Queensland Country Rugby Union