Replacing the National Rugby League's National Youth Competition, the draw and structure of the competition mirrored that of its senior counterpart, the Queensland Cup.

[1][2] Norths Devils were the inaugural premiers, defeating the Townsville Blackhawks in the Grand Final.

[3] The inaugural season of the Hastings Deering Colts featured 15 teams, thirteen based in Queensland, one in northern New South Wales and one in Victoria.

13 Queensland Cup teams fielded a side in the competition, with the two unaffiliated clubs being the Victoria Thunderbolts and Western Mustangs.

Like their senior counterparts, each team was also affiliated with an NRL club.