Pictured: The White Rock Warriors committee.
Junior Footy in the Far North is back! 2014 is shaping up to be a busy year for Cairns District Junior Rugby League. The official start of the season is not until the first weekend of May, but until then there will be plenty of footy to keep us all entertained. The district trial matches commenced over the weekend and gave us a good taste of what is to come. Friday night saw some of the U15's and U16's hit the paddock for the first time this year. At Peterson Park in Edmonton Cairns Brothers defeated Edmonton Storm in a tight, yet clean U15's match. Unfortunately, there was no under U16's match played due to the Northern Pride commitments of some players who were playing against the CQ Capras over the weekend in the Cyril Connell Cup. At Vico Oval, the home of the Kangaroos, the U15's and U16's hosted the Ivanhoes. The home team dominated in the U15’s, however the Ivanhoes side showed great promise for the upcoming season when they found the try line in the early minutes of the second half. The U16's match was a more evenly contested game and looked to end in a draw, but the Kangaroos found the line in final minutes to take out the match.
It was a wet start to the rest of the district’s junior league trials on Saturday, but that did not dampen the mood at St. Andrews Catholic College, the home of the Redlynch Razorbacks. The Razorbacks played host to the Ivanhoes and despite the persistent rain, it was great a day for all. It was awesome watching all the teams take the field for the first time of the year especially the U6's. The U7's played like they had years of experience under the watchful eye of two of the districts newest referees. Jaxson McKenzie and Declan Bell had only completed the level one referees course the night before, when they took the field on Saturday. Both boys play for the Razorbacks U13’s and hope that by refereeing they will get a better understanding of the game. It will be great to watch the boys develop over the coming season.
In other news, Cairns District Junior Rugby League has welcomed another club to the competition. White Rock Junior Rugby League Club held their first AGM on Sunday, February 16, where the committee was elected. The clubs executive is comprised of an all women committee which includes President: Terese Allen, Secretary: Tanya Tully, Treasurer: Gina Edmondstone, Registrar: Martina Gabin and Patrons Curtis Pitt MP and Councilor Rob Pyne. The club held their first sign on day on February 22 and will hold another on March 22. A competition was held to name the club and the name that won the most votes was the White Rock Warriors. Can’t wait to see the Warriors charge on to the field in their Blue, Green and Yellow! Watch this space for more news on the White Rock Warriors!
NEXT WEEK: The Ivanhoes Junior Rugby League annual “Brandon Peters Memorial Rugby League Cup” will be held on Saturday, March 15.
In 2011 Ivanhoes Juniors started a tradition of holding a touch football carnival in honour of one of their juniors who passed away in 2010. Brandon Peters was a formidable player of the Ivanhoes U14’s – fast, strong and well loved by his friends. From 2014 this annual event, held in conjunction with the CDJRL trial games, will be known as the Brandon Peters Memorial Rugby League Cup. This year the Brandon Peters Memorial Rugby League Cup will be played between the Ivanhoes U14’s and Innisfail Brothers U14’s and will be covered next week.
