Pictured: Juniors from the Kingaroy Red Ants enjoy their time on the field before the Get in the Game Country Week match between Wynnum Manly and Tweed Heads.
By Damien Moffat - Junior Correspondent
With the success of the Intrust Super Cup round on the weekend where games were taken to places like Emerald, Kingaroy and Longreach, I thought this was a great opportunity to talk to some of the spectators from the local games and fans of rugby league.
A lot of people weren’t aware that the games were being taken around the country areas but were almost unanimous in their enthusiasm in supporting it and throwing ideas out there that there should be more exposure for Hervey Bay in the rugby league front.
Many believed that once the Seagulls home ground is completed with their current works that it would be an ideal place for either an Intrust Super Cup match but also an NRL trial match. I have to say that the majority of supporters didn’t really care what teams were playing, just that it would be great for the game and for the area.
And if one of these was to happen there was a lot of suggestions of having some of our junior representative sides playing the curtain raiser to hopefully gain some exposure.
Some were even of the opinion that if the Government spent some money on Seafront Oval that it could resemble Wollongong where the Dragons play out of with its ocean views and I do tend to agree.
The majority of people couldn’t remember the State League of the 80’s when Wide Bay were involved but it is definitely an area that is calling out for some sort of representation as the fans are here.
Unfortunately there are so many supporters of this great game that reside between Brisbane and Townsville that do not have the opportunity to see an NRL game and from personal experience it is quite an expensive venture with a family.
The Intrust Super Cup at least gives so many fans the opportunity to see some high quality rugby league and it was fantastic to see Kingaroy feature on the weekend but as I was reminded numerous times over the weekend, there are a lot of fans between the Sunshine Coast side and the Central Capras that would love a team to support, let alone some live action to view.
Speaking to some parents, they were concerned that the pathway for their children was a lot more difficult because they appeared to be out of sight of talent scouts and would have to move for any chance to progress to play at a higher level which ultimately has an effect on the playing stocks here.
Another area of concern that was brought up was the pathway for the girls who loved the game as once they got to Under 13’s they weren’t permitted to play in the boys competition. I had recently discussed this matter with some people and it is an area which is being worked on and hopefully a Friday Night competition will be arranged as the numbers are there. With over 300 girls attending a recent local carnival it is something that should be jumped on and I am glad to say that it looks like it will be.
It was absolutely fantastic to hear some of the ideas and views of those who frequent the local matches and what they would like to see and the general consensus was that it would be great to see some high quality rugby league in the area.
