Wujal Wujal Mayor Bradley Creek (centre) with Ian Lacey and Brad Beetson in community earlier this year planning this week’s Future Immortals Tour.
WHILE a fun footy carnival and a chance to meet and play alongside some of rugby league’s greatest stars will be a highlight, the long-lasting effects of this week’s Arthur Beetson Foundation Future Immortals Tour are much greater.
More than 20 former league greats, including Hope Vale cousins Matty and Brenton Bowen, Petero Civoniceva, Willie Tonga and Steve Southern arrive in Cooktown on Wednesday for four days of community engagement and giving back.
My Pathway is one of the local partners bringing the event to the area,.
“The excitement generated by our rugby league greats will create positive environments for people to consider how they live well, play well and generally be well,” said My Pathway regional manager Josie Flores.
“This extends to accessing good healthcare, housing, food and education; the ability to participate in social activities, sports and employment; and being able to give back.”
The ABF Future Immortals Tours aim to promote grassroots rugby league, allow former league stars to remain connected with their sport, raise funds for local priorities and increase community wellbeing.
The footy stars have a packed schedule, with welcome smoking ceremonies and community and school visits and cultural activities planned in their first two days in Cooktown, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal.
The team will continue with school visits on Friday, before heading to the Cooktown Bowls Club for a fun charity bowls night with raffles, footy doubles, and silent auction.
The group will have a busy day focused on football and development on Saturday with coaching clinics in between the junior rugby league matches at Cooktown’s John Street Oval in the morning before the players themselves take to the field at 3pm for a footy game with local senior players.
The tour finale is a fundraiser cocktail evening at the River of Gold Motel where attendees have the chance to mingle with the stars and enjoy some fine dining.
Tickets for the Barefoot Bowls fundraiser are $65, and the cocktail evening is $135 – visit www.abffit.com.au for more information and to purchase tickets.
