ActiveKIT helps build capacity in the Cape

Just a few thousand kilometres have been travelled in Far North Queensland recently, all for the greatest game of all.

Club support staff from Queensland Rugby League and game development staff from the National Rugby League trekked through the Southern and Central Cape over the last few weeks as part of the ActiveKIT program, in partnership with the Queensland Government's Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport.

The focus communities for this program delivery were Wujal Wujal, Coen and Lockhart River - all three located hundreds of kilometres north of Cairns.

For the Wujal Wujal team who travelled to the small township of just under 300 people, it was an awesome experience as they got to be part of their NAIDOC day celebrations and see first-hand the community coming together for such a special event. 

The trip to Coen culminated in a community LeagueTag event that saw people of all ages taking to the field to show their skills in a recreational version of the game.

All school children in the three communities also took part in the NRL’s League Stars program, focussing on fun and learning new skills relating to rugby league.

One of the proudest achievements from the three visits was providing education to 34 volunteers, fully accrediting them as coaches, referees and / or sports trainers.

Overall, the ActiveKIT Cape tour was a huge success with some great outcomes in those communities becoming self-sufficient in running rugby league events and competitions into the future.

The following participation numbers were recorded from the visits:

Programs as part of this QRL state-wide initiative will also be run in other indigenous communities such as Palm Island, Woorabinda and Cherbourg later this year and into 2022, allowing these areas an opportunity to build capacity and grow the greatest game of rugby league.