Sport in Queensland


Sport is an important part of the culture of the Australian state of Queensland. Golf is the most played organised sport and touch football the most played team sport. Netball is the most popular female sport, while rugby league is the most watched sport. The largest sporting event held in Queensland annually of the Gold Coast 600 motor race.

Australian rules football

has a long history in Queensland. The first foray made by the then VFL came in the form of the Brisbane Bears, who began playing Premiership matches in 1987. Despite some rocky times in the northern state, the game now appears to be entrenched within the Queensland, thanks to a hat-trick of AFL Premiership wins from 2001-2003. The introduction of the Gold Coast Suns in 2011 highlights the game's growth in Queensland.

Basketball

is a popular sport in Queensland, and offers an alternative to outdoor sport during rainy weather. Since the National Basketball League's inception in 1979, at least one team has been based in Queensland. Queensland has two current NBL teams:
is popular in Queensland. Many domestic and international matches are held at the Gabba.
The Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat are based in Brisbane and represent Queensland in Australia's domestic cricket tournaments:
is the most spectated sport in Queensland. Queensland Rugby League has been in operation since 1908, creating strong roots in both city and regional communities. There are currently three teams in the National Rugby League competition, two of which have been part of the NRL since its inauguration in 1998:
The other major rugby league team is the Queensland Maroons who play New South Wales Blues in the fiercely contested three game State of Origin competition. The Maroons have recently won their third straight Origin series, as well as their eleventh from the past twelve.
The other major state based competition is the Queensland Cup.

Rugby union

Swimming

Swimming is also a popular sport in Queensland, with a majority of Australian team members and international medalists hailing from the state. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Queensland swimmers won all six of Australia's gold medals, all swimmers on Australia's three female relays teams were from Queensland, two of which won gold.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2005 and 2007 World Long Course Swimming Championships, Australia won both the 4 × 100 m freestyle and medley relays. In five of these teams, three out of the four swimmers were from Queensland, and in the medley relay in 2007, all were from Queensland.

Triathlon

Triathlon has been a popular sport in Queensland since the early 1980s with the state playing host to the Noosa Triathlon - the world's largest triathlon, Mooloolaba Triathlon, Hervey Bay Triathlon and the Gold Coast Triathlon to name but a few.

Major events

1982 Commonwealth Games

2001 Goodwill Games

2018 Commonwealth Games

Other events

Each year the Queensland Sport Awards are held. The major award is the Sport Star of the Year:

Brisbane-based

Outside Brisbane

ClubLeagueVenueEstablishedPremierships
Cairns TaipansNational Basketball LeagueCairns Convention Centre1999Nil
Dick Johnson RacingInternational V8 Supercars ChampionshipQueensland Raceway19807
Erebus MotorsportInternational V8 Supercars ChampionshipQueensland Raceway2013Nil
Gold Coast HawksAustralian Premier LeagueClub Helensvale2014Nil
Gold Coast SunsAustralian Football LeagueCarrara Stadium2011Nil
Gold Coast TitansNational Rugby LeagueRobina Stadium2007Nil
James Rosenberg RacingInternational V8 Supercars ChampionshipQueensland Raceway1995Nil
North Queensland CowboysNational Rugby LeagueWillow Sports Complex19951
Queensland CountryNational Rugby Championship -2014Nil
Queensland CowboysNRL Touch PremiershipWillows Sports Complex20180
Queensland SundevilsAustralian Gridiron League -19851
Queensland TitansNRL Touch PremiershipRobina Stadium20180
Tekno AutosportsInternational V8 Supercars ChampionshipQueensland Raceway2010Nil
Townsville FireWomen's National Basketball LeagueTownsville Entertainment Centre20012

Sporting Venues

Brisbane

Outside Brisbane