While this weekend will celebrate club football with XXXX Rivalry Round matches being played across the state – the Souths Logan Magpies and Ipswich Jets will be putting their on-field hostilities aside during their visit to the community of Cherbourg.
The two clubs will play their Round 12 match at Jack O’Chin Oval on Saturday, but before and after the game – both teams will take part in community and cultural activities which continues their recent tradition of hosting an Indigenous Appreciation Round match.
Magpies CEO Jim McClelland said both clubs had a rich history of engaging Indigenous youth; and both teams were also skippered by Indigenous players in Phil Dennis and Keiron Lander, who is involved in the Deadly Choices organisation.
“The focus of this game is on Indigenous youth and it was actually initiated by Jets chairman Steven Johnson,” McClelland said.
“We are taking the game to a place that has a rich rugby league history, but (where the people) don’t get to see much footy because of being in the bush.
“It is important for the game to acknowledge the people and communities that contribute to the game.
“The clubs will be auctioning off their jerseys (after the game) and raising money for the community of this town and also the footy leagues.
“At our level of the game, we can do a lot for rural communities and can decide to take games out to the bush and maintain those connections at grassroots level which can be difficult for the NRL.”
Fans who attend on Saturday will enjoy a full day of footy with the junior games kicking the day off at 9am.
Both clubs are expecting a big crowd of between three and four thousand people, with representatives from the QRL and NRL including Dave Smith, QRL Chairman Peter Betros and Head of Football Neil Wharton in attendance.
Local children will also have the opportunity to get some tips from the players, with coaching clinics with both teams starting at 9am on Sunday to finish conclude the weekend.
The Jets will wear gold jerseys with a black V this weekend as a tribute to original Cherbourg Hornets team who were was the original community representative side. The Jets will also don black shorts and socks to match the original Hornets colours.
