QRU Cap Project open to public consultation following seven years of painstaking research
The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) today announced the completion of its ‘Cap Project’ to document all players who have represented Queensland in Rugby during the game’s 134-year history in the state.
The QRU Cap Project is the result of seven years of research to determine a full list of capped players and capped matches since the QRU’s first match against New South Wales in 1882.
The research team has identified 1299 capped Queensland players across 976 capped Queensland matches played since 1882. All players have been allocated a special ‘Queensland Cap Number’, in line with when they made their debut.
In the lead-up to Christmas, the QRU is inviting the Queensland Rugby community to scrutinize the research documentation online and to submit any supporting, new or extra information they might have.
Queensland Rugby’s CEO Richard Barker said: “The QRU Cap Project, which has been seven years in the making, has been a huge undertaking by our dedicated team of archivists and volunteer historians.
“We intend to publicly celebrate our rich history and the individual stories behind our capped players before the new Super Rugby season starts in February next year.
“We recognize that it is possible there are pieces of information lying in attics around Queensland that may add clarity or provide new information to this important piece of work.
“Therefore, we are asking the Queensland Rugby community to go online and study the research and then contact us if they have extra information which will help us complete the project.”
The public can access the QRU’s cap project at http://www.redsrugby.com.au/Reds/QueenslandCapProject.aspx
Within the Cap Project microsite, fans will find:
• The Queensland Rugby Union and Australian Rugby Union ‘capping policies’
• A QRU ‘capped’ match list
• A QRU ‘capped’ players list
• A list of non-capped players for whom there is insufficient evidence of those individuals taking the field for Queensland
• A list of ‘notable’ Queensland representatives and their official ‘QRU Cap Number’
The QRU’s Cap Project is based on research from Ian Diehm’s Red! Red! Red! (1996), Bert Bickley’s Maroon (1982) and the dedicated efforts of QRU Archivists Ian Smith, Donald Smilie, and Conor Feehely.
Prior to regular Queensland competition in 1992, detailed recording of representative matches was inconsistent. Additionally, some of the QRU’s archived records were lost to flood damage in 1974.
Information gathered during the period of public consultation will be added to create the most complete, accurate record possible.
The QRU intends to announce a final list of capped players – together with their individual cap numbers – prior to the opening round of the 2017 Super Rugby Season.
Individuals with any supporting, new or extra information should contact QRU Archivist Conor Feehely at conor.feehely@redsrugby.com.au before Friday, December 23.
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