Plenty of characters keep the action going during the North Queensland Cowboys visit to Tagai College. Photos: Cowboys Community Foundation.
The North Queensland Cowboys club has reaffirmed its strong links to the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) by completing a three-day community engagement and game participation tour on Thursday Island and at Bamaga.
Part of the Cowboys’ ongoing community commitment, the trip helped deliver football, education and training programs across the NRL’s largest geographic footprint. It also brought the club’s year-round player and ambassador engagement for 2025 to more than 1700 hours.
The northern tour began at Tagai College’s Junior Campus where years 4, 5, and 6 students participated in skill-building sessions and games led by the Cowboys community team, including game participation coach Joe Cockshott and community engagement officer Krystal Blackwell.
Lunchtime touch football brought plenty of energy and laughter, followed by afternoon drills that kept spirits high until the final bell.
Day one concluded at Ken Brown Oval with a vibrant community event, supported by Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSRIC). Students from Horn Island State School joined in, creating a joyful atmosphere of play and connection.
The team visited Tagai College’s Secondary Campus on day two, delivering a mix of fun activities alongside the Try Time! Road to Success module, which included lessons on the safe use of personal mobility devices (PMDs).
The afternoon was spent rotating through classrooms at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart before wrapping up with a lively session at Kaziwa Meta boarding facility.
Warmly welcomed in Bamaga on day three, the team visited Bamaga State High School, Ama Mary Eseli Injinoo Junior Campus and Bamaga Secondary School, sharing the excitement of rugby league in one of Australia’s northernmost regions.
Cowboys programs manager Ray Thompson said the tour underscored the club’s unwavering commitment to connecting with communities across North Queensland.
“Everywhere the team visited, the reception was outstanding. From school sessions to community events, the enthusiasm and energy from students, staff and locals was truly inspiring,” he said.
“These communities are deeply passionate about rugby league and are part of the Cowboys extended family. Given their remote location, they can sometimes feel disconnected which is why these visits are so important.
“A trip like this one strengthens relationships and delivers positive messages of respect, gratitude and participation, inspiring the next generation through rugby league.”
