Cup stars ready for Country Week showcase

Regional and rural Queensland towns are ready to welcome 14 Hostplus Cup clubs this weekend as part of the highly-anticipated Country Week round, presented by Ford.

Augathella, Emerald, Charters Towers, Gayndah, Yarrabah, Moranbah and Goondiwindi are putting the finishing touches to their playing fields and community events for what is shaping up to be a monumental weekend for rugby league throughout Queensland.

Many towns are already buzzing, with numerous Hostplus Cup coaches and their development teams arriving early to run sessions for junior players and coaches.

QRL competitions manager Dave Maiden acknowledged the enormous support, from the backing of the Queensland Government and Ford, through to the clubs and regional councils.

“We realise it is a mammoth undertaking and requires phenomenal collaboration between hosting clubs, NRL game development officers, Hostplus Cup clubs, QRL regional and head office staff, and countless volunteers,” Maiden said.

“It involves 530 people travelling all over Queensland and sometimes commandeering people’s houses so that we have enough beds.”

The round kicks off tomorrow in Augathella, where the Norths Devils go head to head with a Wynnum Manly Seagulls outfit that is set to include Broncos flyer Selwyn Cobbo.

Five more Saturday afternoon / evening games follow, before the round culminates with the Sunday feature round showdown between the Ipswich Jets and Redcliffe Dolphins at Goondiwindi’s Gilbert Oval.

Tweed Seagulls’ captain Lindon McGrady, one of many players with regional roots, is looking forward to the weekend’s experience.

“I enjoy the community work we get to do in Country Week coming from a small town,” the Goondiwindi product said.

“I know the communities love being a part of it, and it’s always great to see the kids enjoying the opportunity to watch a good standard of footy.”

McGrady’s Seagulls team plays the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Gayndah.

Sports Minister Tim Mander is encouraging regional Queenslanders to soak up the occasion at their local ground.

“The Crisafulli Government is proud to support Country Week, recognising the role that rugby league plays in communities across regional Queensland,” Minister Mander said.

“The economic benefits of Country Week will be substantial, but the greatest benefit for these communities will be seeing first hand current and future NRL stars and future Maroons in the Hostplus Cup.

“The QRL will run coaching and referees’ courses for local volunteers, and I encourage everyone to get out and see how they can be a part of it.”

Sixty-three towns will have hosted Country Week games by the completion of this year’s round following the addition of Augathella and Gayndah as host venues.

Country Week, presented by Ford:

Saturday, July 26:

Augathella – Norths Devils v Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Emerald – Central Queensland Capras v Western Clydesdales

Charters Towers – Townsville Blackhawks v Souths Logan Magpies

Gayndah – Sunshine Coast Falcons v Tweed Seagulls

Yarrabah – Burleigh Bears v Northern Pride

Moranbah – Mackay Cutters v Brisbane Tigers

Sunday, July 27:

Goondiwindi – Ipswich Jets v Redcliffe Dolphins*

* Feature round game: Qplus.tv, Kayo Freebies, 9Now

All other games streamed live on Qplus.tv