Draw sorted … canteen/bar sorted … sponsors sorted … referees/touchies sorted …. everything is in place for the fourth annual Summer 10s competition, a highly regarded pre-season competition involving teams from Bowen and surrounds.
The competition originated as a fundraiser for cancer research following the death of the father of former president, Brian Horstman. This year for the first time, the current committee have decided to gift the proceeds to local charity, Bowen Blue Nurses.
Burdekin Old Boys (pictured) have won the annual competition since its inception in 2012, but the local Bowen boys are keen to see it head their way with five teams nominating to ensure plenty of local pressure is applied to their northern counterparts.
2015 Carnival Convenor, and Secretary of the Bowen Seagulls, BJ Freeman predicts the Bowen Bus Boys to be the biggest threat to the Burdekin Old Boys title defence.
“They have youth and speed on their side,” Freeman said.
If all goes to plan, the Burdekin Old Boys will face the Bowen Wolfpack in the semi-finals providing a great opportunity for James Snell, and his brother, former Queensland Rangers player Craig Snell to play against each other for bragging rights at the family dinner table.
“They are on different sides of the draw, so hopefully they will come together in the finals,” added Freeman.
Freeman acknowledged the support received from the local community.
“The carnival has been well supported by local businesses, particularly Cellarbrations Bowen who have provided the prize money for the winning team, and the local Junior Rugby League club who have prepared the field, organised ball boys and linesmen and will be running the canteen.”
While the organising committee hope everyone has a fun day playing the ‘greatest game of all’, it is also hoped that plenty of funds can be raised to support the local charity, Bowen Blue Nurses who will be the ultimate winners with funds raised contributing to their continued support of the sick and elderly in the Bowen community.
Kick-off is 9am this Saturday morning with games timetabled all day until the grand final at around 4pm in the afternoon. Entry is $5 for adults, and kids are free. Canteen and bar will be operating all day.
