Mini Maroons: Mam's biggest fan on path to 'big lights'

Children like Rolias Pabai are the reason the Outer Islands Camps, which started in 2019, are so important.

The six-year-old from St Pauls village on Moa Island earned the Junior Camper Award at his camp – one of two under 12 development camps held in the Torres Strait during the Easter school holidays – at Kubin village, for perfecting his chip-and-chase and getting thoroughly involved in all activities.

For Robias, the camp was his first rugby league experience and told organisers it was the best three days he’d ever had and would like it to happen every school holidays.

The passion for the game comes from watching the Queensland Maroons and the cult hero of many in the Torres Strait islands in Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam – so much so he was telling everyone that’s who he was.

Rolias, who also enjoys going to the beach and hunting with his dad and uncles, told Cape and Torres league and club coordinator Terry Abednego he would one day like to play in the NRL in front of the ‘big lights’.

His totems are the Samu (Emu) and the Dhoeybaw (Wild Yam Leaf).

Former Melbourne Storm player Sam Joe was the camp manager at Kubin, which welcomed children from St Pauls, Badu Island, Mabuiag Island, Boigu Island and Dauan Island.

For some, this is the only chance they have to experienced organised rugby league activities, though renewed efforts involving Zenadth Kes Rugby League and local government agencies to establish cluster competitions in the outer islands will be making sure many more opportunities exist in future.

Welcoming with open arms

Bowen Seagulls have welcomed a player in their midst who is set to play an important role for his new teammates.

Reef Nicol, who is non-verbal and has Down syndrome, is a massive North Queensland Cowboys fan and simply loves the game of rugby league.

Reef turns 13 this year but most of his school mates play Under 11s at the Seagulls, so he feels right at home just being around the team.

He has been a keen participant at training ahead of the season, joining in passing and kicking drills and having fun with his mates.

The club aims to give Reef every opportunity to have positive memories of the game and being around the team, both at training, and volunteering on game day to help his teammates beat the heat with plenty of water to keep them hydrated.

Future stars out to follow Cotter’s footsteps

Crocs to Canetoads brought a huge number of rising stars together for a thoroughly enjoyable under 16 girls and under 15 boys carnival in Sarina earlier this month.

One of the best was Brothers’ Mia Slater, who took home the Daly Cherry-Evans Trophy rising star award for the under 16 girls.

Kobe Oberhardt swept many of the awards in the under 15 boys, with the Emerald Tigers five-eighth snaring the DCE Trophy, Wendell Sailor Trophy for Best Back and Reuben Cotter U15 Boys Player of the Carnival.

Souths fullback Aleisha Corbett was named best back and Brianna Clark U16 Girls Player of the Carnival.

But the contribution of Luke McCulloch and Logan Bryant was critical to the carnival running successfully, with the two young men putting their hands up to help with refereeing.