The mighty Toowoomba Clydsdales representing the strong Toowoomba, Warwick and Dalby Police Districts encompassed one of the strongest rugby league regions in Queensland and boasted a proud history of its own.
Police officers playing in the Toowoomba competition, in the mid to late 80’s, contested the local Newtown pre-season A-Grade Night Trials Competition, as well as Charity and Challenge matches against Brisbane and Gold Coast Police and the Clive Berghoffer Shield against the Army. It was from these games that the current State Championships were formed.
Toowoomba Clydesdales
The club was officially formed in 1987 for the inaugural State Championships held on the Gold Coast and was coached by Sgt Geoff Little. They won the Championships that year, defeating the Academy and again in 1988 at Townsville under coach Bob Bennett, against the home side. The club was the benchmark in the early years and portrayed a ruthless professionalism under Bennett, that saw them as the most feared outfit in Qld Police Rugby League.
Unfortunately, in the mid 90’s, the club struggled to attend the State Championships, with it’s last appearance in 1997, when it joined forces with its western neighbour and little brother, the South West Scorpions to ironically claim the State title.
Even so, the legend of players like Bob Bennett, Terry “Strawb” Kajewski, Gary Pettiford, Greg Kidd, Marc Bailey and Ross Murray are still well regarded within the Association. Bob Bennett, later became the first coach of the Australian Police Rugby League as well as a stint as coach of the PNG National Rugby League team.
Police officers serving in the Toowoomba, Warwick and Dalby Districts now form part of the Southern Boars representing the entire Southern Police Region.
