There will be smiles all round when North Queensland Cowboys stars and community engagement officers Krystal Blackwell and Tahlulah Tillett hold their first Cape York skills clinic of the year in Weipa on 25 February. Photo: Supplied.
Western Cape York’s junior rugby league stars will get a bumper start to their 2025 season when the North Queensland Cowboys send some of their own star power north for a skills clinic on 25 February.
NRWL stars and community engagement officers Krystal Blackwell and Tahlulah Tillett will arrive in Weipa for their first Cape York clinic of the year next week and said they could not wait to see how the township’s rugby league talent had development.
“The Cowboys always receive a warm and enthusiastic welcome when we visit Weipa – we feel like part of the local community and the young rugby league talent there is phenomenal,” Blackwell said.
“Our [junior rugby league] clinics are part of the club’s ongoing commitment to fostering strong youth involvement in rugby league, and hopefully the Central Cape Suns clinic will help build excitement leading into the rugby league season.
“We want to use the occasion to deliver the most positive impact we can to the community, so we will also hold a school skills and drills clinic for years 4-6 at St Joseph’s Parish School, a Try Time! Road to Success presentation on safe driving to seniors at Western Cape College, and a term one Try for 5! visit.”
“It’s a privilege and a pleasure to see the growth and achievements of the young people and try and inspire them to embrace the Cowboys values of being humble, driven, and grateful,” Tillett added.
Central Cape Suns president Jess Rex said the club’s clinic would run from 5-6pm and focus on players aged 10-14.
“Our club has always had a strong connection with the Cowboys, who have been consistent and willing to extend further opportunities for our club up here in the Cape by sharing their knowledge of the game, including positive mindsets and skills, with our junior players,” Ms Rex said.
“Their presence at the start of our season really promotes our club and the opportunities we hope to provide to all our players, and is really just a great welcome back and introduction to our season to entice new players to join in.”
Ms Rex said the club’s 2025 campaign was shaping up to be the “biggest and best yet”, with player registration set to open in March.
“With a passionate and dedicated committee working together to provide as many opportunities for local players as possible, we are hoping to increase external carnival experiences, and education and qualification opportunities for our coaches and volunteers,” she said.
