Following on from the successful inaugural event in 2014, Saturday saw junior players from the Cairns based “city” clubs travel to regional clubs in a Super Saturday “City to the Bush” pre-season event.
The junior clubs have had a slow pre-season with game days cancelled due to wet weather and the threat of Cyclone Nathan in recent weeks, with all clubs looking forward to game time before the Easter break.
More than 2,000 junior players from five years of age joined together to play rugby league in Ravenshoe, Malanda, Atherton, Mossman, Yarrabah, Innisfail and Tully on Saturday.
QRL Northern Division Assistant Manager, Dave Maiden, who played his junior Rugby league with the Ravenshoe Tigers, said it is a great concept.
“The ‘City to the Bush’ is the opportunity for smaller clubs to host Cairns based clubs and play against teams they wouldn’t normally play against during their regular season. In July the ‘Bush’ will come to the city with a Super Saturday of games scheduled to be played in Cairns,” he said.
Cairns & District Junior Rugby League Chairman, Glenn Budge, said the clubs were excited to travel to the Tablelands, Innisfail, Mossman & Yarrabah for this week’s game.
“It is a great way to finish off our pre-season. We have strong registration numbers in most age groups with registrations still being accepted by clubs for girls and boys looking to play “The Greatest Game of All”.
Ravenshoe JRL hosted the Cairns Brothers and Herberton clubs and President Craig Smith said it was a busy day.
“We have a great band of volunteers who have done a great job ensuring the day went well.” he said.
“The kids love their footy and have had a great day.”
