The Queensland Murri Carnival officially begins today, launching an eight-day celebration of rugby league, culture, health, and education at the South Pine Sporting Complex in Brendale.
Organised by the Arthur Beetson Foundation with the support of Queensland Rugby League, the event runs from today through to next Saturday (September 27), bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams from across the state.
Now in its 12th year, the Murri Carnival continues to honour the vision of rugby league great, the late Arthur Beetson.
What began as a grassroots carnival has evolved into one of the most important events on the Indigenous sporting calendar.
The senior competition, featuring men’s and women’s teams, will headline the opening weekend, followed by junior divisions in Under 14, 16 and 18 boys’ and girls’ categories.
The carnival is about more than results on the field. Health, education, and community connection remain central pillars.
Every adult participant must undergo a health check and be enrolled to vote, while junior players must both complete a health check and maintain at least 90 per cent school attendance to be eligible.
The Arthur Beetson Foundation has committed a significant portion of its generated revenue back into Indigenous rugby league programs endorsed by QRL.
These investments will help create sustainable community activities focused on sport and wellbeing.
The carnival also enforces strict health standards, operating as a smoke, drug, alcohol, and sugar-free event.
Each year, health screenings identify individuals at risk of conditions such as diabetes, creating vital opportunities for early intervention in communities disproportionately affected by chronic disease.
The long-term goal of the Murri Carnival is to increase Indigenous representation in the National Rugby League from the current 11 percent to 15 percent over the next five years.
By providing structured pathways in a supportive, culturally rich environment, the carnival aims to nurture the next generation of elite players.
Over recent years, opportunities born out of the carnival have included cultural exchange tours to New Zealand and Fiji, as well as the QRL Indigenous under 15 side playing as the curtain raiser to the NRL Indigenous All Stars match at Suncorp Stadium.
Arthur Beetson Foundation chair Steven Johnson said the event’s growth reflected Beetson’s vision.
“The QMC was never started to be just about the game but about enriching lives,” Johnson said.
When we lost Arthur it was important we did not lose the impact he had on so many people. The carnival continues that legacy.
Steven Johnson Arthur Beetson Foundation Chair
Event details
Senior Carnival – Men’s and Women’s, Friday, September 19 to 21, South Pine Sporting Complex, 6 Cribb Road, Brendale
Junior Carnival – Under 14, 16, 18 Boys and Girls (plus education sessions). Wednesday, September 24 to 27, South Pine Sporting Complex
