12 January 2026

Spots open for Cooktown's return to Southern Cape Cluster tournament

| By Chisa Hasegawa
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Cooktown Crocs men's team

Cooktown Crocs men’s team last competed at the Southern Cape Cluster tournament in 2022 before disbanding due to a lack of players. Photo: Supplied.

The call has gone out for adult male rugby league players as the Cooktown Crocs look to chomp down on the competition in this year’s Southern Cape Cluster tournament.

While the Crocs’ junior league has been active on the scene, dwindling interest in the men’s division has meant the seniors have not had enough players to form a team since 2022.

Lesley Gibson-Brown, who is helping to organise a fresh team this year, said a surge in interest meant they were working to put the band back together.

“There’s a lot of boys who want to join now, so hopefully we get a few more,” she said.

“There was a Cooktown Crocs senior team, but there was just not enough players. The last time they entered the competition, they only had one on the bench.

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“We’re aiming for 30 [players]. They just have to be 18 years of age and older, and if they’re over 35, we’ll be doing health checks in the team.”

Ms Gibson-Brown said she hoped there would be enough interest for the men to get stuck into training as soon as the rain eased up for the tournament, which will kick off in June.

“It just gives the boys those opportunities and something to look forward to,” she said.

“There’s no tryouts — if you’re keen, there’s a lot of people that will support you within the team.

“Once we get the word back from QRL (Queensland Rugby League), I’ll be doing meetings with them, and I’m working on getting sponsors for the new uniforms and training gear.”

For anyone interested in joining the Cooktown Crocs men’s team, message Ms Gibson’s Facebook profile, Bobby’Lesley Peter.

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