Rachael M, QRL's League & Club Coordinator for Cape York & Torres Strait, reflects on a camp that reminded her exactly why she does this job.
There are some places that are hard to put into words. Mabuiag Island is one of them. Sitting in the blue-green waters of the Torres Strait, it's the kind of place where the ocean seems to stretch forever, and where the sense of community hits you the moment you step off the boat.
Rach recently spent a week there as part of a rugby league development camp, run in partnership with NRL Game Development and hosted by local club Zenadth Juniors. It wasn't her first trip to the Torres Strait, but it was one she won't forget.
"It was the kids. Their energy was unreal. From early mornings right through to the evenings, they just kept going. And then you'd look up and see the whole community down watching, cheering, pitching in. That's when you realise how much these camps mean."
More than just footy
Rach plays a key role in ensuring accessibility and opportunity to the game across Cape York and the Torres Strait, a vast, remote region where getting programs off the ground relies heavily on strong relationships, flexibility, and on‑the‑ground presence. It's not about rolling out a one-size-fits-all approach; it's about working with communities to figure out what actually works for them.
The Mabuiag camp brought together kids for clinics, skill sessions and, alongside the on-field work, something a little different.
The success of the camp was a genuine team effort. While the host Zenadth Kes Juniors played a key role in bringing the week to life, the camp was proudly delivered in partnership with NRL Game Development. Their involvement added real value across the program, with their energy and engagement making a strong impact on participants throughout the week - something the kids clearly embraced.
What is Maroon Mindset?
Maroon Mindset is a 40-minute wellbeing program built around one simple idea: that a strong mind is just as important as a strong body.
Developed for exactly this kind of setting, it uses movement and rugby league related activities to teach kids skills they can carry well beyond the field; things like resilience, how to set boundaries, how to communicate under pressure, and crucially, that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Sessions are designed to be active and fun rather than classroom-style, which means kids engage with the ideas naturally, often without realising how much they're absorbing. It closes with a team huddle and a lightning round of reflections: what did you learn today, and what will you take into rugby league… or life?
Rach says the kids on Mabuiag took to it immediately.
"Because the sessions were active and fun, the kids really got involved. You could see them starting to understand things like resilience and supporting each other, and doing it in a way that felt natural, connected back to the game they love."
Why it matters
Opportunities like this don't come around often in remote communities. When they do, the ripple effect goes well beyond the footy field. Confidence grows. Friendships form across islands. Kids get a glimpse of what's possible.
Rugby league in the Torres Strait isn't just a sport… it's a thread that runs through community life. It's how people gather, how kids find their feet, how pride is passed down.
In Rach's words:
"Rugby league in Mabuiag is about community, pride and giving kids something to believe in."
