Cowboys Hit the High Road

GRAHAM Murray and the North Queensland Cowboys may well be singing Lucky Starr's "I've Been Everywhere Man" after their upcoming tour through Queensland's Central Highlands.

As part of the NRL Community Carnival on Frebruary 7-9 Murray, fellow coaching member Kristian Woolf and players Ty Wlliams, David Faiumu, Rod Jensen, Scott Minto and Brett Anderson will hit the road for one heck of a journey.

On the itinerary are Emerald, Dysart, Moranbah, Middlemount, Clermont, Capella, Blackwater, Bluff, Springsure, Comet and Tieri, some of the most colourful and jingoistic place names in Australia.

Together they will conduct a three day blitz of schools in the area, as well as hosting a coaching clinic at McIndoe Park, Emerald on Wednesday 7th February from 4.00 – 6.00pm

The players will use their time in the classrooms to spread the word about Rugby League they’ll also be conducting community visits.

Since its inception in 2003 the Community Carnival programme has taken players to over 200 destinations and is a real highlight for the players.

“A lot of the boys are from country areas and they’re keen to let kids know that it is possible to follow your dream and make it in the NRL,” Jensen said.

“At the same time it’s a really inspiring experience for the players because we’re reminded of how strong the passion is for Rugby League and how much people care about what we do.”

The best chance for fans to catch up with their favourite players will be at local schools, the clinic and on the streets of the local areas.

While the Cowboys are in Emerald, players from all other NRL clubs will be conducting similar visits to more than 60 towns in regional NSW, Queensland and Victoria as well as Perth and Adelaide.

The Community Carnival will be the start of an extensive calendar of activities in regional areas throughout 2007 as the NRL continues to strengthen links with the grass roots of the game.

These activities include:

• Bundy Bushfund Charity Match – game to be played in Tamworth on April 25 between Australia Legends and New Zealand Legends as a fundraiser for Landcare.

• City v Country Origin – to be played in Coffs Harbour on Thursday 3 May.

• Footy Fever Program – designed to assist young people ‘at risk’ in regional areas, specifically targeting truancy/school behaviour, crime reduction and sport participation

• Monster raffle – A major fundraising drive to support junior rugby league clubs, details to be advised.

• Community Awards Scheme – the NRL to host a major awards night to recognize the importance of volunteer work in Rugby League.  Details on the nomination process will be available on www.nrl.com from mid April.

• NRL Trial Matches – to be played in regional areas, full details available on www.nrl.com.au.