Play Masters

HISTORY - RUNAWAY BAY MASTERS

2007

1. Bald Eagles - Albion Park/Oak Flats, NSW

2. Burleigh Bears - Gold Coast, QLD

3. Coodabeen Bunnies - Brisbane/Gold Coast, QLD

4. Dalby Diehard Legends - Dalby, QLD

5. FNQ Cyclones - Cairns, QLD

6. Greta-Branxton Colts - Hunter Valley, NSW

7. Ipswich City Rock Wallabies - Ipswich, QLD

8. Mackay Masters Sea Eagles - Mackay, QLD

9. Parkwood Sharks - Gold Coast, QLD

10. Penrith Brothers - Penrith, NSW

11. QR Spikers - Sarina, QLD

12. Raymond Terrace Magpies - Newcastle, NSW

13. Runaway Bay Old Boys - Gold Coast, QLD

14. Waverly Panthers - Melbourne, VIC

15. West Belconnen Ugly Warriors - Canberra, ACT

2008

The second Masters Carnival attracted thirty-five teams, including the first international entry – the Hibiscus Coast Raiders from New Zealand.

2009

Forty-eight teams attended the third Carnival and we welcomed another overseas team – the Norfolk Island Mutiny. By now, nearly 1,000 players and officials were taking part.

2010

The fourth Carnival saw another huge increase in teams to sixty. Six playing fields were used and 150 games of football were played over three days. The total numberof participants was over 1,150.

2011

The fifth Carnival in 2011 was another outstanding success with fifty-nine teams attending. Total participation was over 1,250.

To recognize teams who had played in the first five Carnivals, Appreciation Plaques were presented to the following:

1. Bald Eagles (NSW)

2. Coodabeen Bunnies (QLD)

3. Dalby Diehard Legends (QLD)

4. FNQ Cyclones (QLD)

5. Greta-Branxton Colts (NSW)

6. Ipswich Rock Wallabies (QLD)

7. Mackay Masters Sea Eagles (QLD)

8. Melbourne Thunder, originally Waverly Panthers (VIC)

9. QR Crocs, originally QR Spikers (QLD)

10. Raymond Terrace Magpies (NSW)

11. Runaway Bay Old Boys (QLD)

12. St Doms Old Boys (originally Penrith Brothers)

13. West Belconnen Ugly Warriors

Appreciation Plaques were also presented to the Runaway Bay Seagulls Rugby League Club and to Des Guy, a director of the Leagues Club and tireless worker on behalf of Masters rugby league.

2012

The sixth Carnival in 2012 was the biggest ever held with sixty-three teams and 1,500 participants. Seven playing fields were in use and 160 games were played.

Teams that had played in five Carnivals were recognized with Appreciation Plaques. They were:

1. ACT Valley Dragons (ACT)

2. Alexandria Rovers (NSW)

3. Blacktown Masters (NSW)

4. Brothers Old Boys Ipswich (QLD)

5. Country Crustaceans (QLD)

6. Gladstone Raiders Old Boys (QLD)

7. Gold Coast Steelers (QLD)

8. Jamberoo Olderoos (NSW)

9. Noosa Cutters (QLD)

10. QLD Police Old Dogs (QLD)

11. Queensland Redbacks (QLD)

12. Scone Wombats (NSW)

13. Sunshine Coast Old Buzzards (QLD)

14. Toowoomba Bush Pigs (QLD)

15. Western Rams (NSW)

16. Westside Masters Wikitoria (VIC)

17. Williams Valley Wombats (NSW)

Cricket legend Doug Walters was the guest speaker at the Presentation Dinner.

2013

The seventh Carnival in 2013 saw sixty-four teams take part part, the most ever.

Teams that had played in five Carnivals were recognized with Appreciation Plaques. They were:

1. Aberdeen Old Tigers (NSW)

2. Ballina Seagulls (NSW)

3. Butchers Old Boys (NSW)

4. FNQ Cyclones Red (QLD)

5. Fortitude Valley Old Boys (QLD)

6. Jamberoo Greyroos (NSW)

7. Muswellbrook Sharks (NSW)

8. Norfolk Mutineers (NI)

9. St George Beer Bellies (NSW)

10. Tully Old Boys (QLD)

11. Warilla Gorilla Old Boys (NSW)

12. Yeppoon Seagulls Old Boys (QLD)

13. Young Cherryatrics (NSW)

NRL Ambassador Maria Fenech spoke at the Welcome Dinner and Men of League board member and Western Suburbs legend Noel Kelly was the guest speaker at the Presentation Dinner.

2014

The eighth Carnival in 2014 saw a record seventy-four teams take part. Two teams came from New Zealand and one from Norfolk Island and the Northern Territory entered their first team.

Teams that had played in five Carnivals were recognised with Appreciation Plaques. They were:

1. Mt Isa Town Masters (QLD)

2. Singleton Greyhounds (NSW)

3. St Marys Golden Oldies (NSW)

4. Sunbury Tigers (VIC)

5. Tuggeranong Buffaloes Masters (ACT)

6. Woolgoolga Old Boys (NSW)

7. Wynnum Manly Masters (QLD)

8. Yass Greypies (NSW)

Kangaroos, Queensland and Brisbane Broncos legend, Petero Civoniceva, who played in the carnival for the Guyra Crusty Spuds, was the guest speaker at the Opening Dinner.

2015

The ninth Carnival in 2015 was the biggest ever with seventy-nine teams taking part. One of the highlights an exhibition game between the Men of League All Stars and the Runaway Bay Old Boys.

Teams that had played in five Carnivals were recognised with Appreciation Plaques. They were:

1. Harden Hawks (NSW)

2. Middlemount Panthers Old Boys (QLD)

3. Southside Pirates (NSW)

4. St Christophers (NSW)

2016

The Tenth Anniversary Carnival in 2016 was the biggest ever with eighty-three teams taking part, including three from overseas - New Zealand, Norfolk Island and the Cook Islands. Once again, a highlight was an exhibition game between the Men of League All Stars and the Runaway Bay All Stars, refereed by Steve Clark.

Teams that have played in five Carnivals were recognised with Appreciation Plaques. They were:

1. Bribie Warrigals Old Boys (QLD)

2. Doonside Rebels (NSW)

3. Dysart Bulls (QLD)

4. Guyra Crusty Spuds (NSW)

5. Hibiscus Coast Raiders (NZ)

6. Kia Toa United (VIC)

7. Valley United Old Boys (NSW)

Ten of the original 2007 teams have now played at all ten Carnivals and they were presented with special Appreciation Trophies.  They were:

1. Coodabeen Bunnies (QLD)

2. Dalby Diehard Masters (QLD)

3. FNQ Cyclones Green (QLD)

4. Ipswich Rock Wallabies (QLD)

5. Melbourne Thunder Masters (VIC)

6. Raymond Terrace Magpies (NSW)

7. Runaway Bay Old Boys (QLD)

8. Sarina Old Crocs (QLD)

9. St Doms Old Boys (NSW)

10. West Belconnen Ugly Warriors (ACT)

A Ten Year Appreciation Trophy was also presented to referee Lloyd Evans.

A special feature at the Closing Dinner was the Tenth Anniversary Footy Panel.  Hosted by Men of League's Frank Barrett, the panel included current Jillaroos captain, Stephanie Hancock, former NRL, Origin and Australian player  Brett Kimmorley and former NRL, Origin and Test referee, Steve Clark.

2017

The 11th Carnival in 2017 was the biggest ever with eighty-nine teams taking part, including five from overseas from New Zealand, Norfolk Island and the Cook Islands.

A highlight in 2017 was the entry of our first ever women's teams, the Richmond Roses (NZ) and Runaway Bay-Bay Girls (QLD).

As usual, teams that have played in five Carnivals were recognised with Appreciation Plaques. They were:

1. Dayboro Cowboys Old Boys (QLD)

2. Runaway Bay - Bay Boy Masters (QLD)

3. South Blackwater Devil Dogs (QLD)

4. Springsure Mountain Men Oldies (QLD)

Eleven teams have now played at ten Carnivals and they were presented with Appreciation Trophies.  They were:

1. ACT Valley Dragons Masters (ACT)

2. Blacktown Masters (NSW)

3. Country Crustaceans (QLD)

4. Ipswich Brothers (QLD)

5. Noosa Cutters (QLD)

6. QLD Police Old Dawgs (QLD)

7. Scone Wombats (NSW)

8. Sunshine Coast Old Buzzards (QLD)

9. Western Rams (NSW)

10. Westside Masters Wikitoria (VIC)

11. Williams Valley Wombats (NSW)

Ten Year Appreciation Trophies were also presented to referees Eddie Gale and Chris Nightingale.

The special guest at the Opening Dinner was former leading referee and administrator and current Gold Coast Titans CEO, Graham Annesley.

Once again, the Closing Dinner featured a Footy Panel. This year the guests were leading NRL, State of Origin and Test players Nathan Hindmarsh and Petero Civinoceva and former leading NRL referee Eddie Ward.

2018

The 12th Carnival in 2018 saw ninety-nine teams take part, including six from overseas - three from New Zealand and one each from Norfolk Island, the Cook Islands and the United Kingdom.

A highlight in 2018 was the entry of three women's teams, the Richmond Roses (NZ),  Runaway Bay-Bay Girls (QLD) and Jamberoo Superoos (NSW).

There were 250 games played on ten fields over the three days with a record number of 1,856 player registrations.

Teams that have played in five Carnivals were recognised with Appreciation Plaques. They were:

1. Bowen Basin Barbarians (QLD)

2. Cohoe Roosters 1 (NSW)

3. Darwin Salties (NT)

4. Gayndah Gladiators (QLD)

5. Grenfell Dinosaurs (NSW)

6. Kingaroy Red Ant Old Boys (QLD)

7. Lyndhurst Blue Heelers (NSW)

8. Moss Frail Old Boys (NSW)

9. Nelson Bay Blues (NSW)

10. Sawtell Rusty Panthers (NSW)

Nine teams have played at ten Carnivals and they were presented with Appreciation Trophies.  They were:

1. Ballina Seagulls (NSW)

2. Butchers Old Boys (NSW)

3. Jamberoo Olderoos (NSW)

4. Muswellbrook Sharks (NSW)

5. Norfolk Mutineers (NI)

6. QLD Redbacks (QLD)

7. St George Beer Bellies (QLD)

8. Yeppoon Seagulls (QLD)

9. Young Cherryatrics (NSW)

Ten Year Appreciation Trophies were also presented to referees Ian Irwin, Robert Morton, Peter Ozer, Peter Neale and Kim Neale.

The special guest at the Opening Dinner was former Manly and NSW prop, Jason King.  Jason is the Manager of Elite Programs at the NRL.

The Closing Dinner featured a very special guest in leading Rugby League identity, Phil Gould, AM.  Phil is a former NRL club captain and premiership winning coach as well as the most successful ever NSW Origin coach with six series wins. Phil provided plenty of thought-provoking statements, including tipping NSW to win the 2019 State of Origin!

Records tumbled at the 13th Carnival in 2019. The highlights:

1. 106 teams, comprising 102 men's and 4 women's teams (both records)

2. Registered players - over 2,000 (a record)

3. Most number of games played - 265 (a record)

4. Most overseas teams - eight (a record). The overseas teams came from New Zealand (5), United Kingdom (1), Norfolk Island (1) and Cook Islands (1)

Teams that have played in five Carnivals were recognised with Appreciation Plaques. They were:

1. Cook Islands

2. Jimboomba Thunder (QLD)

3. Queanbeyan Blues Masters (NSW)

4. Rocky Brothers Old Boys (QLD)

5. Tannum Sands Old Boys (QLD

Six teams have now played at ten Carnivals and they were presented with Appreciation Trophies.  They were:

1. Grenfell Dinosaurs/London Colonials (NSW, UK)

2. Runaway Bay - Bay Boys/ Bay Girls (QLD)

3. St Maries Golden Oldies (NSW)

4. Sunbury Tigers (VIC)

5. Tuggeranong Buffaloes Masters (ACT)

6. Woolgoolga Razorbacks (NSW)

Ten Year Appreciation Trophies were also presented to referees Thomas Campbell, James Fuller and Gayanendra Prasad.

The Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman, Peter Beattie AC attended the Opening Dinner and handed out awards and prizes.

Our special guest for the Closing Dinner was rugby league Immortal, Mal Meninga. Mal gave some fascinating insights into the game and suggested his top four teams for the 2019 NRL Premierships were Canberra Raiders, Gold Coast Titans, Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys.  Not a NSW team in the list!!