Austen Newsome goes in for a tackle on Archer Eales during their teams’ under-10 clash. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
If you thought there were a lot more Weipa junior rugby league players taking to the paddock each Thursday this season, you aren’t wrong.
The Central Cape Suns are celebrating their biggest season in the township’s history, with a staggering 280 players registered for 2025 – an increase of nearly 100 players on last year.
Club president Jess Rex said the executive committee was thrilled with the growth of the sport on western Cape York, with teams now being fielded in age groups from under-6 to U16.
“We are also extremely proud of our growth in our girls team, with a record 32 players,” she said.
“Three years ago, when we wanted to start a girls team, many said we would not get the numbers; this is a huge achievement and reflection on our dedicated coaches.
“To cater to our increase in registered players, we have been blessed with many passionate coaches, who have donated much of their spare time to increasing their education and qualifications to ensure they are providing the best possible training experiences for our players.”
Under-7 player Chad Ison finds a gap in the Maroons’ defence. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
While Weipa’s junior rugby league stars are shining on their home turf at Andoom Oval, they are also preparing to head south to show off their footy credentials.
The U11 team will travel to Townsville on 4-5 July for the Laurie Spina Shield, with the U14 boys and girls setting their sights on the RISE carnival in Cairns on 19-20 July.
In September, two U14 boys and girls teams will tackle the Tassell Trophy Challenge in Cairns.
With 30 players joining the 2025 season from Mapoon, Ms Rex said the club prided itself on its sense of inclusion and mateship.
“We are a very close-knit club,” she said.
“Players form close bonds with their coaches and committee members; most people know each other’s names and support each other’s games – even if they are not registered as a player, they come down to support their mates; we have also seen an increase in community members coming down to support our players.
“Thursday night is footy night, an opportunity to watch our kids play, grab a feed and enjoy a night of community footy – it’s the place to be.”
Logan Christie makes a dash towards the tryline on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
