{{Short description|Australian rugby league club, based in Rockhampton, QLD}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2023}} {{infobox rugby league club | clubname = Central Queensland Capras | image = 210px | emblem = | fullname = Central Queensland Capras <br> Rugby League Football Club | nickname = Capras | short name = | web = | colours = {{color box|skyblue}} Blue<br>{{color box|Maroon}} Maroon<br>{{color box|White}} White | founded = {{start date and age|1982}} | exited = | readmitted = | ground = Browne Park | capacity = 5,500 | ground2 = | ground3 = | ground4 = | ceo = Peter White | coach = Lionel Harbin | manager = | captain = Blake Moore & Tyler Szepanowski | league = Queensland Cup | season = 2024 season | position = 6th | homejersey = | awayjersey = | current = | premiership2s = None | premiership2years = | runnerup2s = None | runnerup2years = | spoon2s = 6 | spoon2years = 2005, 2007, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 | points = 542 | cap = 238 | mostcap = Guy Williams | mostpoints = Nat Bowman }}
The '''Central Queensland Capras''' are a semi-professional rugby league football club primarily based in Rockhampton, Queensland and representing Central Queensland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.capras.com.au/about-the-club/cq-capras-history/|title=CQ Capras History - Central Queensland Capras|website=capras.com.au|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-08}}</ref> They play in the Queensland Cup, which is a second-tier competition in Australia. Since 2023, they are one of the feeder clubs for the Dolphins in the Australian National Rugby League.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-12-01 |title='Wonderful Christmas present': Central Queensland sees pathway to NRL with new partners Redcliffe Dolphins |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-01/nrl-redcliff-dolphins-cq-partnership/100664464 |access-date=2022-09-09}}</ref>
The club was founded in 1982 under the name ''Central Capras'' but changed to the ''Central Comets'' in 2000 and renamed the ''Central Queensland Capras'' in 2011.
==History== thumb|Scrum. Easts vs Capras. Intrust Super Cup. Langlands Park, 18 April 2015
In the 1980s, the Central Queensland Capras had entered a team in the Queensland Winfield State League Competition. Their colours at that time were sky blue and maroon. In 1996 the Queensland Rugby League Central Division entered a representative team, the '''Central Capras''' in the inaugural Queensland Cup competition. The costs were too expensive for the Central Division to maintain, and in October 1998 it was decided that a private club should be entered into the Queensland Cup. Although this team was known as the Central Capras in 1999, it was decided to rename the team to the '''Central Comets''' to avoid confusion with the Capras representative teams.
For the 1999 season, the Capras Rugby League Football Club was formed, which relieved the Central Division of the cost, providing more funds to the Central Division to develop and maintain Rugby League in Central Queensland.
In 2000, the Capras team that participated in the Queensland Cup changed their name to the Comets Rugby League Football Club. With a new name and fresh look, the Comets represented the top level of football in Central Queensland for six years.
In 2002 the Comets formed an alignment with NRL team North Queensland Cowboys. This close alignment provided opportunities for development of the Comets Rugby League Football Club, as well as providing opportunities and pathways for players to the NRL.
In late 2007, the Comets ceased their alignment with the Cowboys and formed an alignment with the Brisbane Broncos. The arrangement with the Broncos saw NRL-contracted players that are not named in the weekly Broncos side return to their home region and play for the Comets. Dave Taylor, PJ Marsh, Tommy Hewitt, Ben Hunt and Guy Williams all played for the Comets while being contracted to the Broncos.
The alignment with the Broncos also allowed Comets players to experience what it is like to train in a NRL environment. Through this arrangement, Aaron Summers, Jade Williams, Ty Haynes and Ian Webster got the opportunity to develop their skills under Broncos coach Ivan Henjak by training with the Broncos once a week during the 2010 preseason.
2009 was a particularly successful season for the Central Comets. During the season, the Comets side set a club record winning 10 matches in a row during the season and made the finals for the first time. The Comets finished the season in third place after beating eventual winners the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles in the first semi-final but losing out to the Northern Pride in the major semi-final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comets.com.au/about/history-of-the-comets/ |title=History of the Comets | the Central Queensland Comets |access-date=2011-08-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706104932/http://comets.com.au/about/history-of-the-comets/ |archive-date=6 July 2011}}</ref>
Following the completion of the 2011 Intrust Super Cup the club entered into a rebuilding phase with a new executive committee taking control led by local business Steve McCosker. Approached by club stakeholders, McCosker replaced Scott Chapman as chairman of the executive committee. The Comets hit financial problems during 2011 with the club struggling to pay players wages but following a pitch from Comets officials the Rockhampton Leagues Club agreed to provide additional funds on top of the $200,000 they already provide through sponsorship to the Comets.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wratten|first=Adam|title=Comets face cash crisis|url=http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2011/07/28/comets-face-cash-crisis-package-aims-to-rescue/|access-date=28 July 2011|newspaper=The Morning Bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wratten|first=Adam|title=Leagues club to support Comets|url=http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2011/07/30/leagues-club-will-support-the-comets-cash-crisis/|access-date=30 July 2011|newspaper=The Morning Bulletin}}</ref> Motivated by the rich history of Central Queensland rugby league the new committee reverted the name of the club back to the Central Queensland Capras. The Capras is still the name used for all Representative sides from Central Queensland and according to Chairman Steve McCosker "The Capra symbolises Central Queensland and much of (the sport's) history".<ref>{{cite news|last=Wratten|first=Adam|title=Back to the future|url=http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2011/09/08/back-to-the-future-comets-capras/|access-date=8 September 2011|newspaper=The Morning Bulletin}}</ref>
After finishing last in four of the next nine seasons - including the incompleted 2020 season, cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capras returned to the finals of the Queensland Cup in 2022, winning an elimination final against the Northern Pride at Browne Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Capras v Pride |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/draw/qrl-premiership/2022/finals-week-1/game-3/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Queensland Rugby League |language=en}}</ref> They were eliminated in the semi-final stage, two weeks short of the grand final, losing to the Burleigh Bears.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bears v Capras |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/draw/qrl-premiership/2022/finals-week-2/game-1/ |access-date=2022-09-10 |website=Queensland Rugby League |language=en}}</ref>
===QRLW team=== In 2019, it was announced that a women's Central Queensland Capras team would enter the inaugural QRL Women's Premiership competition in 2020, known as the BHP Premiership.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKay|first=Pam|date=17 December 2019|title=CQ Capras women to play in new statewide comp|url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/cq-capras-women-to-play-in-new-statewide-comp/3904627|url-access=subscription|work=The Morning Bulletin|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> The season was scheduled to consist of eight rounds, with eight clubs competing including six existing South East Queensland Division 1 teams in addition to the new entries of the Central Queensland Capras and the North Queensland Gold Stars.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2019/12/17/teams-to-contest-new-qrlw-competition-locked-in/|title=Teams to contest new QRLW competition locked in|last=Edwards|first=Colleen|date=17 December 2019|website=qrl.com.au|publisher=Queensland Rugby League|access-date=16 June 2021|quote=}}</ref>
Coached by Amanda Ohl, the Capras' first trial game was held on 15 February 2020 at Browne Park against Souths Logan Magpies, where they were defeated, 16-4.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKay|first=Pam|date=16 February 2020|title='One training run and we pulled off that kind of effort'|url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/one-training-run-and-we-pulled-off-that-kind-of-ef/3945998|url-access=subscription|work=The Morning Bulletin|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> In the opening round of the 2020 QRLW competition, the Capras defeated the Brisbane Tigers, 14-6, at Langlands Park in Brisbane on 15 March 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKay|first=Pam|date=16 March 2021|title=Who shone for Capras women in their first win|url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/who-shone-for-capras-women-in-their-first-win/3973800|url-access=subscription|work=The Morning Bulletin|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the remaining rounds were cancelled.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKay|first=Pam|date=20 March 2020|title=Heartbreak for Capras women |url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/heartbreak-for-capras-women/3976928|url-access=subscription|work=The Morning Bulletin|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/draw/?competition=179&season=2020&team=500593|title=DRAW: BHP Premiership (2020, Capras)|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=qrl.com.au |publisher=Queensland Rugby League|access-date=16 June 2021|quote=}}</ref>
In 2021, the Capras played their first game of the new seven-round QRLW season at Frank Lind Oval in Brisbane on 10 April 2021 where they beat the Wests Panthers, 26-16.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKay|first=Pam|date=16 March 2021|title=Who shone for Capras women in their first win|url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/who-shone-for-capras-women-in-their-first-win/3973800|url-access=subscription|work=The Morning Bulletin|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref> They lost their next five games and failed to make the finals, but they finished the season with a 56-6 win against the Valkyries at Browne Park on 23 May 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKay|first=Pam|date=24 May 2021|title=Shock announcement from Capras women's skipper|url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/shock-announcement-from-capras-womens-skipper/4264158|url-access=subscription|work=The Morning Bulletin|publisher=News Corp Australia|location= |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/draw/?competition=179&season=2021&team=500593|title=DRAW: BHP Premiership (2021, Capras)|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=qrl.com.au |publisher=Queensland Rugby League|access-date=16 June 2021|quote=}}</ref>
The 2022 season proved to be particularly successful for the Capras, finishing minor premiers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ladder |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/ladder/?competition=179 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Queensland Rugby League |language=en}}</ref> and qualifying for their first grand final. The game, played at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe, resulted in a 12-14 loss to the North Queensland Gold Stars, who scored the winning try in the final minute of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Capras v Stars |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/draw/qrl-womens-premiership/2022/grand-final/game-1/ |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Queensland Rugby League |language=en}}</ref>
Although the side is based in Rockhampton, many of the players travel long distances from around the state for their home games at Browne Park.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jurss-Lewis|first=Tobias|date=30 May 2021|title=Elite women's rugby league team travels 4,000km to play 'home' game|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-30/elite-women-rugby-league-team-travels-4000km-to-play-home-game/100172720|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|location= |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref>
==Records== '''Most Games for Club''' {{div col|colwidth=20em |small=yes}} * 238, Guy Williams * 150, Heath Egglestone * 136, Dallas Williams * 128, Gavin Hiscox * 127, Mick Esdale {{div col end}}
'''Most Points for Club''' {{div col|colwidth=20em |small=yes}} * 542, Nat Bowman * 398, Heath Egglestone * 383, Graham White * 259, Ian Webster * 214, Jade Wogland {{div col end}}
'''Most Tries for Club''' {{div col|colwidth=20em |small=yes}} * 99, Heath Egglestone * 49, Wade Rothery * 40, Nat Bowman * 39, Justin Loomans * 33, Graham White, Dallas Williams {{div col end}}
==Seasons== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! colspan="11" | Central Queensland Capras |- !width="20" | {{Abbr|Year|Year}} !width="20" | {{Abbr|Pld|Games played}} !width="20" | {{Abbr|W|Won}} !width="20" | {{Abbr|D|Drawn}} !width="20" | {{Abbr|L|Lost}} !width="25" | {{Abbr|PF|Points for (total points scored)}} !width="25" | {{Abbr|PA|Points against (total points conceded)}} !width="20" | {{Abbr|Pos|Position}} !Playoffs / Notes |- |'''1996'''||15||7||0||8||309||336||'''11/16''' | |- |'''1997''' |18 |10 |2 |6 |455 |398 |'''6/14''' |Semi finalists (L 10-38 v Wests Panthers) |- |'''1998''' |22 |8 |0 |14 |497 |701 |'''11/16''' | |- |'''1999''' |22 |4 |0 |18 |440 |626 |'''11/12''' | |- |'''2000''' |22 |10 |1 |11 |529 |550 |'''8/12''' | |- |'''2001''' |20 |7 |3 |10 |468 |517 |'''7/11''' | |- |'''2002''' |22 |4 |1 |17 |434 |814 |'''9/12''' | |- |'''2003''' |22 |7 |0 |15 |466 |749 |'''10/12''' | |- |'''2004''' |22 |8 |0 |14 |566 |705 |'''9/12''' | |- |'''2005''' |20 |1 |2 |17 |346 |829 |'''11/11''' | |- |'''2006''' |20 |7 |1 |12 |409 |560 |'''8/11''' | |- |'''2007''' |20 |2 |0 |18 |310 |666 |'''11/11''' | |- |'''2008''' |20 |7 |0 |13 |404 |595 |'''10/11''' | |- |'''2009''' |22 |13 |0 |9 |508 |499 |'''3/12''' |Preliminary finalists (W 21-14 v Sunshine Coast, L 10-22 v Northern Pride) |- |'''2010''' |22 |6 |0 |16 |415 |624 |'''10/12''' | |- |'''2011''' |22 |7 |0 |15 |425 |634 |'''11/12''' | |- |'''2012''' |22 |6 |0 |16 |432 |743 |'''10/12''' |Club renamed Central Queensland Capras |- |'''2013''' |22 |7 |1 |14 |462 |569 |'''10/12''' | |- |'''2014''' |24 |3 |2 |19 |321 |557 |'''12/13''' | |- |'''2015''' |23 |1 |0 |22 |324 |866 |'''14/14''' | |- |'''2016''' |23 |7 |0 |16 |436 |756 |'''12/14''' | |- |'''2017''' |23 |4 |1 |18 |412 |685 |'''13/14''' | |- |'''2018''' |23 |7 |0 |16 |390 |576 |'''13/14''' | |- |'''2019''' |23 |1 |1 |21 |318 |820 |'''14/14''' | |- |'''2020''' |1 |0 |0 |1 |4 |44 |'''14/14''' |Season cancelled on 27 March due to 2019-20 Coronavirus Pandemic<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2020/03/27/major-second-tier-competitions-cancelled-across-australia/|title=Major second-tier competitions cancelled across Australia - QRL|date=2020-03-27|website=Queensland Rugby League|language=en|access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref> |- |'''2021''' |17 |1 |2 |14 |303 |503 |'''14/14''' | |- |'''2022''' |19 |11 |1 |7 |472 |394 |'''5/14''' |Semi finalists (W 30-22 v Northern Pride, L 16-32 v Burleigh Bears) |- |'''2023''' |22 |12 |2 |6 |511 |387 |'''4/14''' |Preliminary Finalists (L 14-6 Brisbane Tigers) |- |'''2024''' |20 |10 |2 |8 |474 |452 |'''6/15''' |Semi finalists (L 32–24 Burleigh Bears) |- |} *
==See also== {{Portal|Sports|Queensland}} *National Rugby League reserves affiliations
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.capras.com.au/ Official Site] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20051219022313/http://queensland.rleague.com/clubs/central.php Central Queensland Comets], retrieved 19 December 2005
{{Queensland Cup}} {{Rugby League in Queensland}}
Category:Central Queensland Capras Category:Sport in Rockhampton Category:Rugby clubs established in 1996 Category:1996 establishments in Australia Category:Rugby league teams in Queensland Category:Central Queensland