The Rugby Australia Gold Blooded Tour 2026 made a memorable stop in Roma, with Wallaroo No. 26 Shirley Russell AM representing the best of Australian rugby in the Maranoa.
As the inaugural Women's Player of the Year, QRU Life Member, and Member of the Order of Australia, Shirley embodies the values of dedication, community, and excellence that define the gold jersey.
In partnership with the QRU, Downs Rugby and Roma Echidnas Rugby Club, the tour delivered a QRU Kids Clinic and a coach education session — investing in both the next generation of players and the coaches who will guide them. Shirley's depth of experience, from the Wallaroos to the Australian Women's Sevens' 2009 World Cup triumph, made for an invaluable day of learning and inspiration.
The visit culminated at the Roma Show, where QRU and Community Rugby featured prominently as part of the Santos Festival of Rugby — showcasing the strength and spirit of grassroots rugby to the broader Maranoa community.
The Gold Blooded Tour continues to demonstrate that rugby's reach extends well beyond the city, and that the game's greatest ambassadors are committed to growing it from the ground up.
