Part 2: Scottish players can't get enough of Queensland

The Scottish Rugby Union's decision to hold a training camp on the Gold Coast followed a successful visit to Queensland during Rugby World Cup 2003.

The Queensland Government, through the Department of Communities, strongly supported the training camp as part of its push to position Queensland as a premier sporting destination.

How did Scottish Rugby's 2004 training camp on the Gold Coast come about?
What was it about Queensland that made the Scots want to return?
What services did the Department of Communities provide to make the training camp a reality?
How did the Scottish players and officials rate their Gold Coast training camp?
What did Scotland's tour involve?
How might an international team, association or governing body go about arranging a training camp or competition in Queensland?
Want more information?


How did Scottish Rugby's 2004 training camp on the Gold Coast come about?

The origins of the camp date back to November 2003 when Scottish officials attended the International Conference on the Science and Practice of Rugby in Brisbane. As a major sponsor of the event, SRQ had a prominent display that attracted the attention of the Scottish delegates.

With fond memories of their time in Queensland during Rugby World Cup 2003 still fresh in their minds, Scottish Rugby's High Performance Manager Steve Anderson spoke to an SRQ development officer about their upcoming Australian tour. Mr Anderson explained while Melbourne and Sydney had been confirmed as the venues for the tests against the Wallabies, that the Scots would still be keen to return to Queensland.

What was it about Queensland that made the Scots want to return?

During their three weeks in Queensland during Rugby World Cup 2003, the Scots were very impressed with Queensland's climate, level of accommodation and safety. They were particularly impressed with the quality of sporting facilities (many of which had been financially supported by SRQ) that they saw.

What services did the Department of Communities provide to make the training camp a reality?

Soon after the International Conference on the Science and Practice of Rugby, senior SRQ staff took Scottish officials on a tour of sporting and accommodation venues in the Gold Coast area, which was chosen due to its excellent facilities and close proximity to Brisbane.

The tour enabled the Scots to inspect various venues and select those that best met their needs. They later explained it was rare to have such an opportunity and that they would certainly be keen to return again in the future.

How did the Scottish players and officials rate their Gold Coast training camp?

The players and officials were thrilled at the standard of their accommodation and that it was located only a few minutes from the playing fields and gymnasium they had selected. This was in stark contrast to their experiences in other parts of the world of having to travel for up to an hour to get to their training venue.

According to the Scots' forwards coach Todd Blackadder, who has played and coached internationally for well over a decade, the quality of facilities and services in Queensland are among the world's best.

What did Scotland's tour involve?

The Queensland leg of the tour saw Scotland's senior team and development squad training on a daily basis at Carrara Stadium. The development squad played the Queensland Reds at Ballymore on 29 May, going down 41-5.

The squads then flew to New South Wales for a series of matches in the lead up to the first test in Melbourne, which Australia won 35-15. The second test, in Sydney, saw the gallant Scots go down 34-13.

How might an international team, association or governing body go about arranging a training camp or competition in Queensland?

Organisations considering Queensland for training camps or competitions can access detailed information about its elite sporting facilities through the Elite Training Facilities directory.

They should also contact the Department of Communities, which can help by:

• providing information on suitable facilities options;
• providing information on suitable accommodation options;
• highlighting event opportunities;
• providing advice on customs and quarantine issues; and
• facilitating inspection of facilities.

Want more information?

For more information about Queensland's elite sporting facilities, visit the Elite Training Facilities directory.

For information about the Scottish rugby union team, visit Scottish Rugby's website.