How the Queensland Murri Carnival Became a Pathway, a Community and a Movement

The Queensland Murri Carnival has never been just about rugby league.

For many communities across Queensland, it has become something much bigger — a place where culture, identity, opportunity and connection all come together through sport.

Speaking during the Arthur Beetson Foundation Future Immortals Tour in Rockhampton, former NRL player and commentator Mark “Tookey” Tooks reflected on the incredible growth of the carnival and why it continues to leave such a lasting impact on players, families and communities.

“It’s an absolute juggernaut now,” Tookey said.

From its early beginnings to now hosting more than 120 teams across juniors, women’s and men’s divisions, the Queensland Murri Carnival has evolved into one of the largest Indigenous sporting events in the country.

For Tookey, who has been involved since the early days of the Murri vs Koori Carnival, one of the biggest shifts has been watching the pathway opportunities grow for young players from regional and remote communities.

“All the NRL clubs are starting to notice now,” he explained.

“They can see there’s a real pathway there. Some of the talent that turns up from far north Queensland and the missions out west — you don’t get to see that on a regular basis.”

That exposure is changing futures.

NRL scouts, recruiters, player managers and Queensland Cup pathways staff now regularly attend the carnival looking for emerging talent, with many young players earning opportunities through performances at the event.

But according to Tookey, the carnival’s impact goes far beyond rugby league contracts.

The event places a strong focus on health, education and community responsibility. Players are required to meet school attendance standards and complete health checks to participate — creating accountability and support systems around young athletes.

“There’s no alcohol, no smoking, no sugar at the carnival,” Tookey said.

“Everyone agrees to the standards and they all show up for the same reason — community and opportunity.”

That structure has helped create an environment where young people can thrive both on and off the field.

One of the biggest areas of growth has been the women’s game.

Tookey says the development in female rugby league over the past five to six years has been incredible, particularly through the pathways now available within the QMC system.

“When it started, the girls were very raw,” he said.

“But now the skill level is unbelievable. Some of these 14 and 15-year-old girls — what they can do is ridiculous.”

The carnival now provides a long-term development journey for many young female athletes, allowing them to progress from juniors through to women’s competitions while representing their communities along the way.

For former and current NRL players, the carnival also provides something deeply personal — connection back to community.

Whether it’s returning to play alongside cousins and family members or mentoring the next generation simply through presence and example, the impact often cannot be measured statistically.

“When the NRL boys come back, the little ones see that,” Wes Conlon said during the conversation.

“That feeling and connection — you can’t really capture that.”

Tookey agreed, explaining that young players often learn just as much from watching how elite athletes prepare, train and carry themselves off the field as they do from watching them play.

The carnival has also become known for its vibrant jerseys, artwork and storytelling through design, with each team carrying its own meaning, history and cultural identity onto the field.

“You see all the colours everywhere,” Tookey said.

“And every jersey means something.”

While the carnival continues to grow rapidly, Tookey believes one area that could still improve is ensuring players are properly recognised through commentary and team management systems.

“There’s nothing better for a young kid than hearing their name called properly and hearing someone say they played well,” he said.

“That stuff matters.”

As the Queensland Murri Carnival continues to evolve, its purpose remains clear — creating pathways, strengthening communities and giving young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes a platform to dream bigger.

And for everyone involved, from the players and families to the volunteers, commentators and organisers behind the scenes, it’s becoming much more than a rugby league tournament.

It’s becoming legacy.

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