Mini Maroons: Footy community shows 'truly amazing' support

The Toowoomba rugby league community is rallying behind Jaxon Gilmartin and his family as the under 9 player faces a health battle.

Doctors discovered the Southern Suburbs junior  - who goes for the Dolphins in the NRL and looks up to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - had a brain tumour earlier this month, for which he is currently undergoing treatment at the Royal Children's Hospital.

The club has jumped into action, including members of Jaxon's own team, to bang on the donation buckets in recent away games at Newtown and Brothers, bringing out plenty of generous support.

"This weekend we're having a big barbecue at our home ground against Dalby, so we should raise a few thousand there, hopefully," club president Andrew Trapp said.

"As a club, we're doing everything we can for him. We've had a couple of different businesses come forward and donate fuel vouchers for the dad, since he's driving backwards and forwards because he's still got the other kids (Jaxon has four siblings) up here at school and stuff."

Trapp said it was "truly amazing" to see what everyone in the community was doing to support Jaxon, who is looking at another few months in hospital as he undergoes chemotherapy.

"I speak to the mum a fair bit and I see the look in her eye and see how much it means to them. It's priceless," Trapp said.

"There's still some good humans out there in this world."

Jaxon's team signed a jersey in support, which Trapp delivered to the "very tired" youngster's bedside last week, along with donations from the community, while the under 9s also made a video with a 'get well' message to help lift his spirits.

To help, visit his fundraising page for more details.

All tuckered out after mammoth Country Week effort

Zac Zischke and Blake Hinds took full advantage of the opportunity to rub shoulders with elite players and referees of the QRL during Activate! Queensland Country Week.

The seven-year-old Wondai pair followed touch judges Nathan Cornick, Dylan Cassidy and Connor Baker every step of the clash between Norths Devils and Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

At half-time they even change from their runners to their footy boots in the hope they could run faster to keep up.

Despite being knackered at the end of it, they said they would love to do it again so they could be as fast as the referees in future.

The officials loved the company and both teams recognised the effort of the young blokes with well-deserved handshakes all round.

Another group of under 7s Tackle Ready

The latest crop of Rockhampton juniors got the all clear to tackle their hearts out earlier this month.

The gala day at Gracemere had NRL game development staff take players through their final training sessions before a round of full contact games.

All the participants proudly showed off their tackle certificates at the end of a great day.