Teams from across north Queensland and beyond came together in Bowen on Saturday for a carnival with a very special cause.
Bowen Seagulls Rugby League hosted the 12th annual Bowen Summer 10s Carnival, which originated in 2012 with a goal of raising funds for cancer research.
This year the carnival saw 15 men’s teams and seven women’s teams battle it out for the trophies.
It has grown from four local Bowen and Burdekin teams to 22 teams travelling from all over the QRL North region.
This year's biggest cause was very close to the host club's heart, being Bowen Cancer and Ostomy Support group. The family of one of the club's volunteers is currently battling cancer.
Participating teams Noel Yasso Memorial, 20 Prise Boys and Boonti Busters got right on the fundraising band wagon, contributing more than $6000.
Boonti Busters' efforts in conjunction with local businesses, a Corey and Shannen Jensen Broncos jersey donation, wheelbarrow raffle and player Karmon Powers shave for a cause raised $5000 alone.
Seagulls president Darren Piggott was thrilled with the turnout.
"We have wonderful volunteers at our club that spend countless hours preparing our great facility for events like this, knowing that we have the support of the community and that they have come together to raise these funds means a lot to us," Piggott said.
Not only were the punters there to support charity, they also turned out in droves to watch an action-packed day of footy.
The men’s competition was strong with club teams mixing it with exhibition, memorial and family teams throughout the pool matches. It would not be unusual to find a team full of uncles, cousins and fathers playing with sons.
Muddies and Island Time secure their positions in the semis from Pool B along with Fiji Time and Samu Bala’s in Pool A.
Muddies, the local rugby union team, put on a brave showing but couldn't get one over Fiji Time. Samu Bala’s and Island Time played a blistering, tough style of footy in their semi, but Samu Bala’s came out on top in the dying stages.
In the women’s competition, NRLW star Shania Powers' Coastal Neurs were strong, moving through pool phases undefeated. The second place Baddies, a team made up of mostly touch players, really gave the competition a nudge. Coastal Neurs however proved too strong, taking home the trophy.
Baddies women’s team donated their $1000 runners-up prize money back to the club as part of the fundraising effort.
The men's final had everyone on the edge of their seats. The teams were fast and physical, making for an awesome spectacle for the crowds. Fiji Time were too good in the end, winning 24-10.
Players of the carnival honours went to Karmon Power from Boonti Busters and Chelsea Munns from Baddies.
