The Western Clydesdales are ecstatic the Queensland Rugby League has today announced it has approved the club’s bid to join the HostPlus Cup from 2023.

The admission of the Clydesdales to the HostPlus Cup provides a monumental boost for rugby league across south-west Queensland as 2023 will be the first time since 2006 the region has been represented at the state’s top level.

It is also just reward for the numerous people who have campaigned for the Toowoomba-based club to return to the elite state-wide league over the past 15 years.

The current Clydesdales Board revived the bid in the wake of the COVID pandemic hitting back in 2020 and have worked tirelessly to develop a sustainable business plan, club structures and secure a partnership with NRL club Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to support the club’s case for inclusion.

From 2023, the Clydesdales will field teams right through the male age groups in the under 16s, under 18s, under 21s and now open HostPlus Cup to complete the elite player pathway, along with an under 19 women’s squad.

“This is absolutely fantastic for the Western Clydesdales and rugby league across south-west Queensland,” Western Clydesdales Chairman Tony Coonan.

“South-west Queensland is rugby league heartland and it is really exciting that players from our region can now see a clear and complete pathway from their home town and junior club to the elite levels of our great game.

“For too long, aspiring players from here have had to leave our region to chase their footy dreams, but no more. They can now stay with their families and friends in their home town, develop their craft under the guidance of an NRL club and progress through the ranks to the point where they can make it to the NRL, hopefully with the Bulldogs.

“This is a huge occasion for the game in our region and I’m excited that we’ll be competing in the HostPlus Cup from next year.”

The Clydesdales have worked closely with the QRL over the past 18 months to put in place the administrative, development and commercial structures in place needed to support a HostPlus Cup club.

"The south-west region is immersed in rugby league history and today's announcement marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the Clydesdales," QRL statewide competitions director Darryl Van de Velde said.

"The Clydesdales entry is aligned to recommendations from the 2021 QRL statewide competitions review which identified the south-west area as a priority for expansion.

"With 7,000 playing participants, the Clydesdales have an impressive footprint which extends across 11 junior and senior local league competitions."

The Clydesdales will now ramp up preparations for the 2023 HostPlus Cup season and will announce a Head Coach soon, followed by players for next year’s squad over the coming months.