Part 1: Scottish Rugby Team gives Queensland the thumbs up

Mixed results in Queensland during their Rugby World Cup 2003 campaign meant little to the Scottish team when it came to deciding where they would kick off their 2004 Australian tour.

"We knew we were to be playing tests against the Australian team in Melbourne and Sydney but the decision as to where we would start the tour was ours," Scottish Rugby High Performance Manager Steve Anderson said.

"But we just couldn't go past Queensland as a location for our initial training camp."

Sixty-one players, coaches and support staff were involved with the 11-day training camp on Queensland's Gold Coast in May-June 2004.

The open Scottish team, along with a development squad, were part of the camp, which was based at the Palm Meadows Radisson Resort and the nearby Cararra Stadium.

The Queensland Government took a proactive role in promoting suitable training and accommodation venues to Scottish officials prior to their visit as part of its commitment to position Queensland as a premier sporting destination.

The Department of Communities also worked closely with team officials throughout the camp to ensure the visitors enjoyed their stay and that they were satisfied with the facilities on offer.

Mr Anderson said he was thrilled that the planning undertaken with Department had paid off.

"One of the biggest problems we find in Europe is that we often don't get a say in where we stay, which means the accommodation and facilities simply don't meet our needs" he said.

"On the other hand, getting together with the Department's staff six months before the visit enabled us to find the ideal venue for us".

"The fields and gym are only a couple of minutes away, we're away from the hustle and bustle of the city but it's within 10 minutes' drive for when we do want to take the boys down to the beach or out for some social activities."

New Zealand All Black great Todd Blackadder, now working as the Scott's forwards' coach, said Queensland's facilities were second to none.

"The biggest thing you've got to take away from the players is excuses," he said.

"In a place like this there are no excuses. Everything is taken care of so there are no distractions. The food is great, the accommodation is first rate, the weather is ideal and everyone is bending over backwards to help."

The training camp, which included a game against the Queensland Reds at Brisbane's Ballymore Stadium, was the second time in a year the Scots had visited Queensland.

The Scots based themselves at Caloundra on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for much of their Rugby World Cup campaign during October 2003.

They are among a number of teams that have returned to Queensland for training camps after being impressed with the State's climate, facilities and safety record - not to mention the support services provided by the Department of Communities.

The Queensland Government is working hard to promote Queensland as an ideal destination for international sporting teams and events.

With a concerted push to market Queensland venues to the world, the Government is looking forward to welcoming many more international teams to metropolitan and regional parts of the State in the future.

Read more about how the Queensland Government helped the Scottish team host a successful training camp on the Gold Coast.