14 SPORT
THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2023 TORRES NEWS
QRL’s key administration day set for 11 March BY ALF WILSON
FLASH BACK: Badhu Island’s welcome sign to the Island of Origin in 2011. Pic by Alf Wilson.
New funding op for sports infrastructure closes on 2 March The State Government has launched a new sport infrastructure program, with grants from $50,000 to $415,000 for smaller club projects such as lighting, ramps and pathways, cycle trails, skate parks, fixed exercise equipment, court upgrades and change rooms, on offer. Grants under the inaugural round of the State Government’s $14.6 million Minor Infrastructure Program are open to community-based sport and active recreation clubs, state and national level sporting organisations and local councils. Shovel ready projects valued up to $1 million will be considered for the new Minor Infrastructure Program with successful applicants contributing up to 20 per cent of total project costs. Applications for funding close on 2 March with successful projects to be completed within 18 months. The third round of the Government’s Active Clubs program opens on Wednesday 1 February with grants of up to $2,500 for 2,000 community sporting clubs. The $5 million program is designed to help clubs with the cost of new on and off-field equipment, accreditation courses for coaches, club officials and volunteers, and initiatives like comeand-try events to attract new members. The first round of FairPlay for 2023 has also been launched with up to 46,000 vouchers worth almost
$7 million to help low-income Queensland families with the cost of sport and active recreation sign on fees up to $150. Applications for FairPlay vouchers are open to parents, carers and guardians with a current Services Australia Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card for students aged five to 17 years. Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe launched the new funding programs for community not-for-profit sporting clubs earlier this week with Member for Cooper Jonty Bush. “We don’t want to see financial circumstances be a barrier to young Queenslanders getting on a team, connecting with friends, and staying active and healthy,” Mr Hinchliffe said. “Whether it’s getting involved in scouts, surf lifesaving, tennis, martial arts, AFL or rugby league, there are hundreds of sporting options and clubs accepting FairPlay vouchers in 2023.” More information on round one of the Minor Infrastructure Program is at:
www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/ funding/minor-infrastructure-program For more information on Active Clubs go to: www.qld.gov.au/ recreation/sports/funding/activeclubs
Clubs and recreation providers participating in FairPlay and more information about family eligibility can be found at: www.qld.gov.au/ fairplayvouchers
Torres News @TSIMAtorresnews
Queensland Rugby League will hold a Regional Administration Day on Waiben on Saturday 11 March. The event will feature speakers who will advise on QRL governance, clubhouse, concussion management protocols, Positive Environment Program, grants, RISE program volunteer courses, Support Squad, Player Development and cultural Capability Framework, and Indigenous pathways. Most of our regional competition and carnival organisers, local senior RL club officials and others were expected to be there. Carnival and competition organisers/committees expected
to attend included Dhadhin Geai, Apudthama, JRL development camp hosts, Zenadth Kes RL, Zenadth Kes JRL and NPARRL. A Sports Trainer course was to be held on the same weekend. Rugby League can expect a boom season in 2023 across the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area. After a year’s absence the popular Island of Origin Series on Badhu will be back on and already a lot of interest has been received from teams. Also the Zenadth Kes carnival on Waiben will be held in October with men and women’s teams. The Dan Ropeyarn NPA carnival at Bamaga, last in the year, will be another highlight.
Marama joins Norths Devils BY ALF WILSON A trip to his home Island of Boigu has champion rugby league forward Joel Marama primed for his coming season with last year’s Townsville and District wooden spooners Norths Devils. The 30 year old captained Boigu Island team Malu Kiwai to victory in the Dan Ropeyarn NPA carnival at Bamaga last October. Malu Kiwai defeated Napranum Bulldogs 44-10 in the carnival grand final and later the trophy was taken to Boigu for a celebration which was enjoyed all. After that family, players and supporters from Cairns met at an Edmonton Park for another celebration. “I came to Townsville for work and was asked by former Norths Devils official Karl Adams about joining Norths and was happy to,” he said. “I have been signed in a leadership role and we will be trying to improve from last year. “We aim to be competitive.” Several other star Torres Strait Islander players such as Nathan Kepa will also be in Norths colours. Joel feels refreshed and enthusiastic for what is ahead after spending time back at Boigu recently. “I just came back from Boigu and have lots of relatives there and love being connected to the land,” he said. “I went fishing and enjoyed seeing everyone.” Members of the Marama family are renowned as top footballers who have speed to burn. Coach of a rival Townsville Comp club said he expected Norths Devils would field a very good side and has lots of respect for Joel and other signings. Joel has proven that teams he has been with have enjoyed success so Norths Devils will benefit greatly from their
GAME CHANGER: Joel Marama in Malu Kiwai jumper after the Dan Ropeyarn carnival win at Bamaga. Pic supplied. marquee signing. He was a member of Kangaroos club which won the Cairns and District Rugby League premiership in 2011. He also played for the Central Queensland Capras in 2014 and was a key player for the top side Yeppoon Seagulls in the Rockhampton and District comp. In 2017 he joined Cairns and District Club Mossman Port Douglas Sharks and in 2018 and 2019 seasons they won back-toback premierships. The Sharks reached the major semi final which they lost in 2021 and Joel coached them last season when they were runners up beaten 26-24 by Cairns Brothers in the grand final. His record in Allblacks
carnivals is as impressive as it is imposing. In 2011 Joel was a member of the Malu Kiwai side which won the Zenadth Kes carnival on Waiben (previously known as the Torres Cup). He played for Pioneer Knights (2015) and Kuruwai Warriors (2013), both of whom won the Zenadth Kes carnival. In 2015 he played for Badu side Saguci Tigers which made the semi finals of the Arthur Beetson Foundation Queensland Murri carnival at Redcliffe. He also played the Island of Origin carnival in 2013 in a combined side from the outer islands. Malu Kiwai sides he has lined up with have won several Gordonvale Indigenous carnivals.