Coaches, referees and sports trainers are needed to ensure the 2025 Cooktown District Junior Rugby League season is as successful as the club’s bumper 2024. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
After a stellar 2024 campaign which included hosting Hostplus Cup teams for a local Country Week showdown, Cooktown District Junior Rugby League (CDJRL) is putting out the call for eager helpers to ensure the coming season is just as successful.
With training for the year set to commence on 18 March, CDJRL secretary Jacynta Hunt said the club needed coaches and other game day helpers to ensure junior players could show off their talent on the paddock.
“We are off to a good start for the 2025 season, with registrations already coming in and the training due to start in March,” she said.
“The Country Week game was a major highlight for our 2024 season, which really inspired our young players; we are looking forward to fielding teams for under 6 to U14 tackle competition, as well as the 12-17 years League Tag, which requires a lot of on-field assistance.”
Ms Hunt said the club was aiming to secure the services of another three or four coaches, in addition to new referees and sports trainers.
“For those with first aid skills and not necessarily football skills, our existing sports trainers all have children in U13/14s, so we need some more who are able to cover the younger teams,” she said.
And what does it take to be a successful junior rugby league coach?
“Patience and a love of footy,” laughed Ms Hunt.
“All coaches must have or be able to get a blue card and complete a free online coaching course.
“The face-to-face training provided by NRL will happen later in the year in Cooktown; sports trainers do a course in Cairns, with expenses reimbursed by the club.”
For more information about getting involved with the club for the 2025 season, check out its Facebook page or email [email protected].
The Hostplus Cup Country Week clash between the Northern Pride and Wynnum Manly Seagulls provided a boost for interest in rugby league on south-eastern Cape York during the 2024 season. Photo: Cape York Weekly
