Rocky Russell leads the under-10 line-up onto the field to a warm welcome from their U8 Central Cape Suns club mates. Photo: Supplied.
In a season that included the under-11 team running onto Queensland Country Bank Stadium ahead of an NRL game to the club’s U14 and U16 girls and boys participating in the QRL RISE remote carnival in Cairns, the Central Cape Suns wrapped up a huge 2024 with grand final day in Weipa on 31 August.
With player numbers swelling during the season, club president Jess Rex said the committee was looking forward to another record year when teams took to the field in 2025.
“This year’s committee are extremely happy and proud of all our players this season,” she said.
“It’s definitely been the biggest and best yet for Weipa; all our volunteer coaches really went above and beyond for their players, providing quality training and game experiences consistently each week – we are very grateful to them.”
While the U14 and U16 girl and boys shone at the RISE carnival in Cairns in July, the U11 impressed at the Laurie Spina Shield in Townsville the same month and earned their Queensland Country Bank Stadium experience due to their sportsmanship, attitude and behaviour towards opponents and match officials during the two-day carnival.
The smaller players also tasted what it was like to play on the North Queensland Cowboys’ home turf when the U8s were invited to a mini mod match between the Peak Downs Pirates before the Cowboys battled the Canberra Raiders last month.
Mason Douglas works hard to get around Jamie Dick-Wapau’s defence in the U12 clash as Reuben Doolah waits for an offload. Photo: Supplied.
In a fortnight, the club will send two teams – an U14 line-up and, for the first time, a western Cape York girls’ team – to Cairns to contest the Tassell Trophy Challenge.
Ms Rex said it had been thrilling to watch junior players develop as the season progressed.
“It’s been amazing to watch the growth of our players and to provide these opportunities,” she said.
“All of this would not be possible without support from our major sponsors, Embley and Rio Tinto, as well as our other sponsors.”
2024 Central Cape Suns grand final best and fairest players
U6: Kayd Rennie; U7: James Fagan; U8: Parx Hall; U10: Tanner Smith; U12: Jamie Dick-Walsh; U14: Jarrod Farber; U16 girls: Jana Michealis; U16: Brock Blain
Wayde Woodley (right) looks for open space on the paddock on grand final day in Weipa on 31 August. Photo: Supplied.
