Southern Downs

Southern Downs Sports

Sport is a vital thread in the fabric of Southern Downs — from buzzing ovals to the high-speed thrills at Morgan Park Raceway. Our clubs are dynamic hubs of activity that bring people together, nurture skills, and ignite local pride. Whether your passion is motorsport, rugby union, rugby league, touch football, soccer, or Aussie Rules, there’s a place for you here. These organisations host competitive fixtures, support development pathways, and run social events that highlight what makes our region special. Read on to discover details, locations, contacts, and opportunities to engage with your local sporting community.

🏆 Community Sports Clubs

1. 🏎️ Warwick District Sporting Car Club (WDSCC) & Morgan Park Raceway
Morgan Park Raceway, at 228 Old Stanthorpe Road, Morgan Park, is run by WDSCC and features multiple circuits — including the 2.967 km Circuit K — used regularly for state and national motorsport, including Superbike and Formula Ford events. The facility welcomes visitors daily from around 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. WDSCC also runs driver development days, club sprints, and classic car events, making it a centrepiece for Queensland motorsport.
Contact: Track enquiries — info@morganparkraceway.com.au; Venue Phone: 0437 471 433.
Secretary (WDSCC) Johanne Forbes: secretary@wdscc.com.au

2. 🏉 Warwick Water Rats (Warwick & District Rugby Union Club)
Based in Warwick, this club fields junior and senior teams in the Downs Rugby competition, known for its Mini Rats clinics, Old Boys Day, and strong finals campaigns. Opening hours for the club on Palmerin Street are typically Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6–8 pm and Saturdays until 8 pm for games. The Water Rats have a proud tradition of welcoming new members, whether experienced players or complete beginners.
Contact: President — Tess Enchelmaier, 0447 923 859; Email: warwickrugbyunion@gmail.com.

3. 🏉 Stanthorpe Gremlins Rugby League
The Gremlins, competing in the Border Rivers Rugby League, celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024. Based at Sullivan Oval, Harris Street, Stanthorpe, they field teams from Under 7s to seniors and run midweek training sessions and community photo days. Game days at Sullivan Oval are a social highlight for the Granite Belt, with passionate supporters and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Contact: League Secretary – Ann-Louise McKellar (Toowoomba Rugby League office) 0407 595 351; Email: secretary@toowoombarugbyleague.com.au.

4. 🤝 Tenterfield Touch Association (NSW border)
A vibrant cross-border touch football league offering mixed, men’s, women’s, and junior competitions. The association runs two main seasons each year, plus carnivals and social nights. Touch football’s non-contact nature makes it a popular choice for all ages, and the TTA has built a strong sense of community for players from both NSW and QLD.
Contact: President — Emily McMeniman, 0400 440 820; Email: tenterfield.touchfootball@gmail.com.

🌏 Regional & State Sporting Bodies

5. ⚡ South West Queensland Touch Association (SWQ Swans)
Located at 10 Cress Street, North Toowoomba, SWQ coordinates touch football across the region. They run primary and secondary school championships, coaching clinics, refereeing programs, and representative opportunities. The association’s programs cater for all skill levels, from social teams to state representatives.
Contact: Phone: (07) 4174 19837; Email: admin@swqtouch.com.

6. ⚽ Football Queensland – Darling Downs
The regional Football Queensland office for the Darling Downs is at 8a/566 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba City. It oversees participation from Stanthorpe to St George and Roma, managing FQPL 3, MiniRoos, and community leagues. Football Queensland Darling Downs also supports coaching courses, referee development, and junior talent pathways.
Contact: Phone: 4194 14749.

7. 🏉 Queensland Rugby Union & Downs Rugby
Downs Rugby, headquartered at Downs Rugby House, 112 James Street, South Toowoomba, runs competitions for over 100 clubs across the region. They provide junior programs such as “Tri-Time” for 6–7 year-olds, and coordinate representative teams for state carnivals. In 2024, they celebrated 60 years of the Risdon Cup, the region’s premier rugby competition.
Contact: Email: admin@downsrugby.com.au; Phone: 0418 227 784.

8. 🏟️ AFL Darling Downs
Established in 1971, AFL Darling Downs supports Aussie Rules clubs across the region including Warwick, Coolaroo, and Toowoomba. The league runs men’s, women’s, and Auskick competitions, and offers junior development programs to grow the game. Regional staff are based at Concordia Lutheran College in Toowoomba and coordinate both competitions and school-based programs.
Contacts:
• Jeff Neumann (Game Development & Talent Manager): 0437 285 048, jeff.neumann@afl.com.au
• Mitchell Simpson (Football Operations Manager): 0436 364 819, mitchell.simpson@afl.com.au
• Meg Pullinger (Development Coordinator): 0419 191 346, meg.pullinger@afl.com.au

From weekend leagues to elite-level competition and volunteer-led events, the clubs and associations of the Southern Downs bring people together, build skills, and celebrate community spirit. Whether you’re looking to join a club, support a local team, or invest in the region’s sporting future — there’s a place for you here. Reach out, get involved, and help our community and sports grow.

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