The Queensland Rugby Union, or QRU, is the governing body for the sport of Rugby union in Queensland in Australia. It is a member and founding union of Rugby Australia.
 | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1883 |
| Headquarters | Ballymore Stadium Brisbane, Queensland |
| Patron | Paul de Jersey |
| Chairman | Brett Clark |
| President | Roger Gould |
| Website | https://qld.rugby |
The QRU was founded in Brisbane in 1883 as the Northern Rugby Union,[1] after breaking away from the Queensland Football Association before being formally constituted in 1893 when the name was changed to the Queensland Rugby Football Union.[2]
The first 1883 season began with two clubs: Fireflies and Wanderers. Early intercolonials were played at Eagle Farm Racecourse. The competition boomed after the collapse of the QFA in 1890 with the majority of the remaining Australian rules players making the switch to rugby.
A combination of the introduction of rugby league and the impact of World War I saw the organisation disbanded in 1919, however it reformed after a decade in 1928.
Early Northern Rugby Union clubs (1883-1893)
| Club | Founded | Years active in union | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fireflies | 1884 | 1884-? | [3] |
| Wanderers | 1884 | 1884-? | [3] |
| Wasps | 1884 | 1884-? | |
| Gracemere | 1886 | 1890-? | Central Queensland association |
| Wallaroo | 1880 | 1885- | Formed under Australian rules[4] |
| Beenleigh | 1887 | ||
| Oxley | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Past Grammar | 1887 | ?1891- | |
| Aubigny | 1889 | [5] | |
| Warwick | 1889 | ||
| Toowoomba Grammar School | 1889 | Formed under Australian rules[6] | |
| Arformas | ?1890 | 1890-? | |
| Boomerangs | ?1890 | 1890-? | |
| Moonlight | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Young Athenian | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Pittsworth | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Greenmount | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Paddington | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Bunya | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Oriental | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Rockhampton | 1890 | 1890-? | Central Queensland association |
| Wallaroo | 1890 | 1890-? | Central Queensland association |
| Mount Morgan | 1890 | 1890-? | Central Queensland association |
| Zingari | 1890 | 1890-? | Central Queensland association |
| Charters Towers | 1890 | 1892-? | |
| Oxford | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Emu | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Toowong Ranger | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Townsville | 1890 | 1890-? | |
| Ipswich | 1892 | 1893-? | |
| Beserkers | 1892 | 1892-? | Capricornia District |
| Wanderers | 1892 | 1892-? | Capricornia District |
| Waratahs | 1892 | 1892-? | Capricornia District |
| Gordon | 1893 | 1893-? | |
| Longreach | 1893 | 1893-? | |
| Mountaineer | 1893 | 1893-? |
