Newsroom

THE LAST DANCE🕺🕺 Make your way down to Sunnybank to watch the Fillies GF tomorrow, kick off 10:50🦏

Away game on Saturday 12 June 2021 - images courtesy of the QRU.

Our final home game against traditional rivals Brothers will be one of the most significant days in UQ Rugby’s 115-year history. It will be our last home game in the current clubhouse before it is demolished. We invite all players, families, alumni, supporters and friends of the club to come down, reconnect and help us farewell it in true Heavies style - with great rugby, great company and a XXXX Gold in the clubhouse or grandstand. The day will also support Life Saving List and its mission to grow Australia’s stem cell donor registry. This cause has a deeply personal connection to our club through our own Rowan, one of our medical staff, who is facing the challenge of finding a matching stem cell donor. We will host donor-registration and cheek-swab collections at the club, encouraging eligible people aged 17–35 to join the registry. A simple swab could help save Rowan - or someone just like him. More information about Charity Round, Rowan’s story and how you can support the campaign will be shared shortly.

This weekend, we welcome GPS for a full day of rugby alongside one of the biggest events on our social calendar - UQ Rugby Ladies Day. More than 300 members of our female community will join us for an afternoon of entertainment, food, drinks and rugby. The day remains open to everyone, with plenty happening for families and children, including the jumping castle and other game-day activities and some incredible prizes on offer in the Raffle (see below).

Child Safety and Wellbeing The safety of our players, members, volunteers and community is our highest priority. UQ Rugby Club has adopted and adheres to the Rugby Australia Child and Young Person Safeguarding Policy We welcome parents and carers to our club, and acknowledge your right to be present at all training sessions and competitions. We also encourage you to view our Child Safety and Wellbeing Commitment Statement. The Queensland Rugby Union also have great resources in relation to Child Safeguarding. How to raise a concern If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact our Child Safety Officer Cameron McIntosh on 0460 808 462 or cmcintosh@uqrugby.com. You can also raise or report a concern confidentially and anonymously via Rugby Australia. Resources and support services For external support for children and families visit Kids Helpline or Lifeline.

UQ Rugby’s Charity Round for Life Saving List is on Saturday August 8th More than 145,000 Australians live with blood cancer or a related disorder, with many needing a stem cell transplant to survive. Life Saving List was founded in 2022 by Liam O’Brien and his wife Josephine after he was diagnosed with leukaemia. While fighting his own battle, Liam devoted his energy to helping others in similar situations. During this time, Life Saving List helped spread awareness of the importance of giving blood and joining the vital stem cell registry. Since Liam’s passing in 2024, his legacy lives on through Life Saving List. As a UQ Alumni, Liam played rugby while at St Leo’s College. This cause is also close to UQ Rugby’s heart, with one of UQ’s own medics, Rowan Tong-Law, currently in need of a stem cell donor. We urge you to spread awareness and encourage others to join the stem cell registry – every person who joins could be the missing piece that saves a life, just like Rowan’s. FAQ How do I register to become a stem cell donor? To register as a stem cell donor: 1. Simply complete the online registration form here 2. When finished, a 'Green Tick' will appear. Please show that to the Stem Cell Donor Volunteers at either: - Training from 5pm - 7pm Tuesday 4 August - Training from 5pm - 7pm Thursday 6 August - UQ Game on Saturday 8 August from 12pm - 4pm 3. The Stem Cell Donor Volunteers will help you perform a cheek swab, simple and painless. Your registration is then complete! (You can also register if you donate blood at a Lifeblood centre) Who Is Eligible to Register? Anyone between 17–35 with a medicare card Why should I Sign Up? - Only 1% of Australians in the age range of 17-35 are registered. Most are unaware how easy it is to sign up. - It's a 1 in 1,500 chance that a person registered as a donor will be asked to donate stem cells. - You could be someone's only stem cell donor match in the whole world. - You have the opportunity to give someone in need the greatest gift, the gift of life. What happens if I’m asked to donate stem cells? If you are thought to be a match, you will be asked to provide a blood sample and have a health assessment. If you are the most suitable match, you will receive medication to boost your stem cell count. In 90% of cases, you donate through a process similar to donating blood except over a longer period of between 4 to 6 hours. You can bring a friend, partner, husband or wife with you to keep you company while donating stem cells, and the friendly medical staff will also look after you.

UQ Rugby is pleased to announce Bank of Queensland as the Naming Rights Sponsor of the 25th Annual UQ Rugby Corporate Lunch on the 10th of July. BOQ has a proud history of supporting Queensland communities and strong connections to rugby. As a proud partner of the Queensland Reds, BOQ is showing up as the Bank of Queenslanders by backing the people, teams and moments that bring our state together – on and off the field. The UQ Rugby Corporate Lunch has become one of Brisbane's leading business and networking events, bringing together corporate leaders, alumni, sponsors, supporters, and members of the wider rugby community. This year's event will feature Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt, World Champion Bella Nasser, and a special panel celebrating the rich history of UQ Rugby as we mark 115 years of the club. We thank BOQ for their support of this event and look forward to welcoming guests for what promises to be a memorable afternoon of insight, connection, and rugby stories. Tickets are available now and selling strongly. Secure your place today. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1555547

Be sure to check out the FIXTURES page for full details, including team lists.

It's a full club weekend for the Red Heavies as we head into Round 7 at Home vs. Souths and with Women in Rugby Round in full swing, this is a special week at Stade de Heavie. Unfortunately the rain has made some of the fields unplayable for some of our heavies this weekend. New date to be confirmed 🦏 Saturday is still a massive day at home celebrating Women in Rugby round, get around it! We will be honouring all of the women that make up our community, players, coaches, volunteers and the next generation. There will be a massive buzz on saturday with the bar opening 10 am, so get there early and settle in for the day. Food trucks from Upbeat Cafe, Char Kor BBQ, and Solo Italiano will be on site keeping everyone fuelled, and live music from Pelora. There's a jumping castle for the little ones and a massive raffle run by our fantastic womens team. College Zone will be kicking off from 2pm for cheap drinks, sun and good vibes. We will be honouring all of the women that make up our community, players, coaches, volunteers and the next generation. Up the Heavies. 🔴

It’s a full club weekend for the Red Heavies as we head into Round 5 - kicking off Friday night and rolling through a huge Saturday of rugby against Wests. Friday night sets the tone when our Women’s program takes the field under lights at Sci-Fleet Stadium. Also on Friday night Connor Whelan will run out for his 100th game for UQ Rugby (at UQ) its a significant milestone and a testament to his commitment to the club over a long period of time. Connor represents everything the Heavies stand for, and we look forward to celebrating him (You can read more about Connor’s journey below). From there, Saturday is all systems go. Colts, and Senior grades all take on Wests across the day in what is always one of the toughest away challenges of the season. These are the days that test depth, connection, and mindset across the entire club - and the kind of challenge we embrace. Wherever you are this weekend, get behind the Heavies. Up the Heavies.

The 2026 season is getting to the business end, and there is no better time to show your colours. Whether you are down at the ground on game day, walking between lectures, or catching up with mates on the weekend, the new UQ Rugby range has you covered. Best of all, three of our most popular pieces are on sale right now. Here is what is new in the shop. Heavies Hoodie, Navy Off the field, this is the one you will reach for every time. The Heavies Hoodie carries UQ Rugby across the chest and HEAVIES printed large across the back, in a clean navy that goes with everything. Soft, warm, and made to be lived in, it is the perfect layer for early training starts and cold nights on the hill. Now $35 (was $50). Available XS to 3XL. Shop the Heavies Hoodie - here 2026 Men's Polo, Maroon Our new maroon polo takes you from the sideline to campus without missing a beat. Lightweight, breathable, and cut with a raglan sleeve for easy movement, it features the UQ Rugby crest in the club's traditional colours. It looks just as sharp at a function as it does at the footy. Now $50 (was $70). Available S to 5XL. Shop the 2026 Polo - here Heavies Supporter Tee, White An everyday essential for the true supporter. The Heavies Supporter Tee is made from soft cotton and finished with varsity HEAVIES lettering and EST. 1911 branding on the chest. Crisp, classic, and comfortable, it is the easiest way to fly the flag wherever you go. $35. Available XS to 3XL. Shop the Heavies Tee - here And There Is Plenty More In Store The new range is just the start. Head to the shop and you will find the full UQ Rugby collection, including playing and training jerseys, heritage and indigenous designs, caps and headwear, jackets, accessories, and gear for the kids and toddlers too. There is something for every supporter, on and off the field. New memberships and match tickets are also available, so you can lock in your season while you are there. Grab Yours Before They Go Sizes are limited and the sale will not last forever, so now is the time to lock in your favourites. From the featured range to memberships, jerseys, caps and more, every purchase backs the club and the players who wear the jersey with pride. Visit the UQ Rugby Shop

If you're unable to join us at our annual lunch, you can still show your support for the club by purchasing a raffle ticket for $100. With only 100 tickets available and first prize earrings valued at $11,000 RRP, your chances of winning are outstanding! A.G Designer Jeweller Diamond Stud Earrings RRP $11k 1.40 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings Timeless. Elegant. Extraordinary. Crafted by master jeweller Adam Graham, these stunning custom-designed diamond stud earrings feature two round brilliant-cut diamonds set in a classic four-claw white gold setting. With a total diamond weight of 1.40 carats, this is a statement piece designed to be treasured for generations. Whether celebrating a milestone, anniversary or simply someone special, few gifts create a lasting impression quite like diamonds. Custom crafted and donated by A.G Designer Jeweller. https://uqrugby.shop/products/diamond-stud-earrings-unique-raffle-ticket-100-tickets-only

Over a Century of Red. Your Name on the Back. Since 1911, the Red Heavies have built something that goes beyond wins and losses. Generations of players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters have worn the maroon, bled for it, and passed it on. That legacy is woven into everything this club stands for — and now, you can wear your place in it. Introducing the UQRFC Custom Vintage Jersey. This isn't a replica. It's not a throwback for the sake of it. It's a tribute to 115 years of red — designed with the weight of that history in mind, and made to last long after this season is over. The jersey is crafted in classic maroon cotton with a collared cut, ribbed cuffs, and an embroidered chest crest — the kind of detail that tells you immediately this is something different. And on the back, where it matters most: your name and your number. Choose your fit — short-sleeve or long-sleeve — and make it yours. What's included: - Classic collared maroon cotton jersey - Ribbed cuffs and embroidered chest crest - Custom name and number on the back - Available in short-sleeve or long-sleeve Want to complete the set? Add a UQ Rugby towel or water bottle to your order at checkout. Order-made. 8-week turnaround. These jerseys are produced to order, which means every one is made for the person wearing it. Please allow 8 weeks from the time of purchase. Refer to the size chart before ordering to ensure the best fit. This is a limited-time release. Once the window closes, it closes. 115 years of the Red Heavies. Get your name on the back. Click here to purchase.

You back your team every week. Our partners at Flight Centre Business Travel want to back yours too, with an exclusive offer for businesses that travel frequently. In partnership with Qantas Business Rewards, Flight Centre Business Travel is giving 10 businesses 50,000 Qantas Points + Gold Status, by simply booking corporate travel smarter. How to get involved: · Already work with FCBT? Every eligible Qantas booking between 20 July and 31 August counts as an entry. · Not a client yet? You're still in the running. Sign up to Qantas Business Rewards for your first entry, then sign up with FCBT before 31 August (no sign-up fees, ever) and start booking Qantas for extra entries. We're grateful to have partners like FCBT supporting UQ Rugby, and wanted our community to be the first to know about this one. Learn more here Good luck, UQ Rugby T&Cs apply. Ends 31 Aug 2026. Authorised under NSW NTP/17458, ACT TP26/01591, SA T26/1225.

We are thrilled to partner with @thejubileehotel again in 2026, the ultimate destination for Rugby fans! This iconic venue, our Red Heavies second home, offers a lively atmosphere to enjoy the game and features a $25 400g rump special on Wednesdays. With its friendly staff and adaptable event spaces, “The Jube” is not only Brisbane’s home of Rugby but our favourite local. Planning your next outing? Discover more at https://www.jubileehotel.au/ 2026Partnership JubileeHotel UQRugby RedHeavies

Announcing our 2026 Foundation Partner - UQ BEL 🎓 The University of Queensland’s Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law provides students with the knowledge and skills to excel in a rapidly changing world. We’re very excited to enter another season with @uniofqld! For more information visit https://about.uq.edu.au/faculties-industries/bel 2026partnership uqbel uqrugby redheavies See less — with The University of Queensland.

Welcome to the Red Heavies Sefa 🫡 🦏 🏉

Congrats to our four Red Heavies named in the first Wallabies match-day 23 to face Ireland in Sydney this weekend!

Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott will make his comeback from a seven-month lay-off with University of Queensland on Saturday at St Lucia in the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup. McDermott will enjoy a bonus with younger brother Flynn also available for the first time this season after returning from a work stint overseas. For Wallaby McDermott, it is the light at the end of a long tunnel after his diligent rehab to return to full fitness after surgery to reattach his hamstring to the bone. "I'm really excited. I've never not played for this long. Ever," McDermott said. "To get the opportunity to wear a different bit of maroon in a UQ jersey is something I'm really excited for." McDermott will play 40 minutes. Thanks to the Queensland Reds for allowing us to share this content with our club community.

Congrats to Red Heavy legend Lori Cramer who joined a very exclusive group of players overnight, representing the Barbarians in their clash against Wales.

Women’s coaching staff locked and loaded, ready for 2026 📈 Please reach out if you are interested in joining the UQ team this season 🏉 ALL IN ‘26 🦏 RedHeavies

Home game on Saturday 5 June 2021 - images courtesy of Sportography.

Family Day | Home vs Bond | 6 June, St Lucia Mark it in the calendar - we're heading home to St Lucia, and we want the whole family along. Round 10 brings Bond University to Stade de Heavie for what promises to be one of the best days of our home season. We're rolling out the full Family Day experience: petting zoo, jumping castles, face painting, food trucks, and live music to keep the grounds buzzing all day long. There's something for every age and every generation that calls this club home. Family Day is proudly sponsored by Allstore Self Storage. See you at St Lucia on 6 June. Up the Heavies.

He's been called "The Weapon." He's a scrummager, a goal kicker, a stirrer of the highest order, and in May, Connor Whelan plays his 100th game for UQ Rugby and we couldn't be more proud. When Connor started high school, he knew everything about the game of rugby union: every team, every player, every referee, every rule and the satisfying drama of breaking them. But he had never played. Twelve years later, he is a Red Heavy through and through. When Connor's parents, Michael and Helen first came to the club in January 2014, they were nervous. They had seen token inclusion before, and as Helen reflects, they knew Connor would see through it just as quickly. Paul Farmer, then Colts 1 coach, listened carefully, asked the right questions, and said: "Let's do it." That moment, Helen says, changed everything. From day one, Connor's teammates didn't treat him as a project. They treated him as one of the boys, and Connor made sure of it. He arrived with formidable banter already in hand, having long since discovered that confidently declaring England's superiority over Australia produced reliable, playful reactions from the people around him. At UQ Rugby, that personality found a place to thrive completely. James Shand, "Shandy" to Connor, described his effect on the group with characteristic honesty: new players each season would arrive in their own cliques, and Connor would walk in on day one and dismantle it. "It takes coaches three-quarters of a season to build that kind of connection," Shandy said. "Connor was doing it instantly." Connor played three years in Colts, including premierships in 2014, 2015 and 2016, before moving into 6th grade in the second row. The tries stacked up, and his goal kicking became a signature. His advice on conversion technique is typically Connor: "make sure your toenail is cut properly for kicking." Connor is generous when he talks about the people who have shaped his time at the club in the lead up to his 100th game: Paul, Elton Berrange, Marguerite Howard, Jason Greenhalgh, Andrew Fraser, and Frank O'Loughlin, who has worked with Connor one-on-one and been a steady presence in his life since his father Michael passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2022. Michael drove Connor to training twice a week for years, and his dedication was something the club witnessed and deeply respected. Frank stepped into that role of mentor and mate, someone Connor can call for advice or just a chat. "The UQRFC tribe held him," Helen says. "As his mum, I felt supported." Helen reflects that what the club has given Connor in the last 12 years is the same opportunities as every other player: the same expectations, the same banter, the same belonging. She mentions the change in him over those years as profound, in ways that go well beyond the rugby field. Greater independence, deeper connection, a confidence that Helen says extended far beyond anything the family had imagined when she first walked into the clubhouse. Ask Connor what life after 100 games at UQ Rugby looks like and he doesn't hesitate: "Playing in comps, helping out at the club when they need it. I'm a Heavy for life through and through." Congratulations, Connor. 100 games. Here's to the next hundred.

At our 2025 Annual Test Match Lunch, Francis (Frank) McLoughlin was awarded Life Membership to the University of Queensland Rugby Football Club. Excerpts from Mark Anderson’s speech on the day… For decades, Frank has been a quiet force, a tireless worker, and a true embodiment of the UQ Rugby spirit. Frank boarded at Nudgee College, alongside his five brothers, before University studies in Toowoomba and later Townsville set him on a path to a 40 plus teaching career. While posted at Dajarra State School, Frank travelled 160 km each weekend to play for the Euros Rugby Club in Mount Isa. There, he spent two seasons in the front row, winning the Reserve Grade Grand Final in 1984, learning the craft from hardened miners from around the globe. In 1985, Frank returned to Brisbane and joined his brother Alan (aka Slim) at UQ Rugby. Thus began a lifelong association with the Club. On the Field, Frank played across 2nd to 5th grade for over a decade, often reserving and playing multiple games in a single day. Despite his modest stature, he was a formidable prop—earning respect from opponents including John ‘Knuckles’ Connolly built a reputation of being a very difficult prop to pack against. Though Grand Final glory for UQ eluded him as a player, his legacy was just beginning. Off the Field, coerced by Club Chairman Ian East at the RE Hotel, Frank became Honorary Secretary, serving as: Club Secretary (1986–1988) Assistant Manager on the 1987 Ireland Tour (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast) World Cup Liaison Officer 1987 when UQ hosted Japan QRU Council Representative and Judiciary Appeals Panel Member NSW Team Liaison Officer (with Col Rees) over many years. In 1989, he joined the UQ Sport Board, serving over two decades as Secretary, advocating for equity and funding across all sporting clubs. He helped shape UQ Sport’s constitution, served on the Scholarships Committee. He was a member of the Constitution, Blues, University Recreation Area committee, The Rec Club but his passion for scholarships ensured players like Tom Murphy, Pat Howard, Nathan Sharpe, Stephen Moore, and James Horwill were given assistance in the University and Rugby careers. He received: UQ Sport Club Service Award for Rugby (1993) UQ Sport Honorary Life Membership (1997) – a rare honour As an historian and archivist, the touring programs for our overseas tours required some of the UQ Rugby history, so for the 1987 Tour to Ireland, Frank began collecting player data and club history. In 2011, after four years of research with John O’Hare and Vince Creigh, he co-published the two-volume UQ Rugby History. Today, he continues to share insights and memories on the Former Players WhatsApp group, keeping the spirit alive. Frank spent 42 years in education and 26 years in administration culminating in 11 years as Principal at Ferny Hills State School, retiring in 2022. He met his wife Meegan at McDowall State School, and together they’ve supported his tireless service to the Club. Recent Contributions include First Grade Manager (2019–2022) – overseeing 103 games, including premierships in 2019 and 2021 where he initiated past player profiles, pre-match talks, and supported players with jobs, housing, and life advice. In 2025, he’s taken on the role of Colts 1 Manager and Membership Coordinator for the Foundation, leading the rollout of our new digital platform. Frank is a proven organiser, a man of detail, and a tireless worker. But above all, he is humble, selfless, and deeply committed to others. His impact spans generations, and his spirit continues to shape the culture of UQ Rugby. To Meegan and the McLoughlin family—thank you for sharing him with us.

Congratulations to former Red Heavy and now President of the UQ Junior Bullsharks Rugby Club, Dave Smithson who has been recognised with a Lord Mayor Australia Day Award for his service to the Bullsharks. Receiving recognition for this effort and success is a massive achievement. Dave is the driving force behind the UQ Junior Bullsharks Rugby Club in Graceville. His dedication and impact have transformed the club into a financially viable and thriving establishment and his tireless efforts have created a vibrant environment for junior athletes. Dave is passionate about using rugby as a vehicle to foster children and young people’s enthusiasm, self-esteem and friendships. Dave also acknowledged his family (Michelle and Lily) for their contribution to the club. As they say, it takes a tribe… The Red Heavies are extremely proud of Dave’s incredible achievements and we thank him for all the time and effort he invests in the Club. Congratulations Dave on this outstanding achievement which is so greatly deserved.

2026 Colts 1 coaches locked in 🚀 RedHeavies UQRugby — with reesy59 at Stade De Heavies.