The 2018 Rugby League Commonwealth Championships happened in Redcliffe on the 23rd and the 24th of February at the Dolphin Stadium. Thousands enjoyed watching the competition. The best news of all, however, is that proceeds from tickets sales are going to recovery services in disaster areas in the wake of Cyclone Gita. Collection tins were also prominently displayed at the venue.
The Championships saw 10 Commonwealth nations in a friendly competition. Players from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Wales, Canada, Samoa, England, Scotland, Tonga, and Cook Islands competed in Men’s Under 23’s teams, Open Women’s teams, and Physical disabilities teams respectively.
Australia emerged as champion in both men’s and women’s competitions in front of a home crowd in Redcliffe.
The men’s team beat Samoa in the semi-final round and subsequently defeated Tonga in the final round. It was a close fight with the latter as Australia scored 14-8 over Tonga. Samoa clinched third place after winning round against Fiji. The women’s team, meanwhile, beat the Cook Islands at 14-8 in the semi-final round and subsequently won the final round against Samoa. Cook Islands clinched the third place.
In keeping with the spirit of community pride and togetherness of the Commonwealth Games, proceeds from ticket sales were donated to people from Tonga, Fiji, and other nearby regions that were devastated by Cyclone Gita. The game organisers and local officials from the Moreton Bay Regional Council hoped that the event can contribute significantly to the needed funds for the relief operations.
Moreton Bay Regional Council mayor Allan Sutherland and Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism chief executive officer Shane Newcombe encouraged everyone to remain standing, arm in arm with the Pacific regions, and to watch out for similar upcoming donation drives.