Sport in Queensland

Despite some rocky times in the northern state, the game now appears to be entrenched within the Queensland, thanks to a hat-trick of AFL Premiership wins from 2001 to 2003.

[1] Queensland Rugby League has been in operation since 1908, creating strong roots in both city and regional communities.

There are currently four teams in the National Rugby League competition, two of which have been part of the NRL since its inauguration in 1998: The other major rugby league team is the Queensland Maroons who play New South Wales Blues in the fiercely contested three game State of Origin competition.

Rugby Union is a major sport in Queensland with more than 55,000 registered players in 210 clubs and 235 schools across the state.

Swimming is also a popular sport in Queensland, with a majority of Australian team members and international medalists hailing from the state.

At the 2004 Summer Olympics, 2005 and 2007 World Long Course Swimming Championships, Australia won both the 4 × 100 m freestyle and medley relays.