14 SPORT
THURSDAY 23 MARCH 2023 TORRES NEWS
New coaches and trainers ready thanks to QRL BY ALF WILSON A total of 26 coaches and 17 league safe trainers were accredited during the first ever QRL Administration Conference on Waiben, which is great for rugby league in the Torres Strait and NPA. It took months of organisation by Torres and Cape York Operations Manager Terry Abednego, who was joined by numerous volunteers from many Torres Strait Islands, the NPA and Cape York. Also at the conference were QRL director Clinton Begg, Mackay based QRL Northern Region manager Renae Kunst, the region’s
wellbeing manager Coco Quirke, NRL game development officer Alby Anderson and QRL social impact and diversity coordinator Liberty Jones. Northern Pride CEO Garreth Smith, who played in many Torres Strait Allblacks carnivals before retiring from the field, was also there and was interviewed on Radio 4MW. Some of the participants were from remote outer islands. The purpose of the workshops were to provide critical information about all aspects of the administration side of the code. Mr Abednego said that the conference would assist with better
outcomes on and off the field. “More enrolled in training courses which is a huge result for the region,” he said on the QRL website. “It was very well received. “A lot of information was passed on and for some it was new about things like match review and clubhouse. “We’ve always been a couple of steps behind some of the other competitions around compliance and registrations but after stuff like the admin day we’ll really be able to pick it up. “Coco from the wellbeing team talked about the Support Squad and I’ve already had
Pics courtesy QRL. people emailing me with Blue Cards and wanting to get mental health first aid training so they can be part of it. “People also got to establish networks on the day, which was
something that was needed for the game within the region.” The conference also provided vital information for volunteers who were looking to get the Outer Islands Junior Rugby
League and NPA, as well as boosting the Zenadth Kes Rugby League on Waiben. At this stage it looks likely that six men’s teams and four women’s sides will compete in the ZKRL competition, expected to start at the Ken Brown Oval soon after Easter. The junior rugby league comp on Waiben has already had a very successful start which helps to ensure our stars of the future. Mr Abednego was in Bamaga last week where plans were in full swing to get junior and senior competitions back up and running. The annual Dan Ropeyarn Memorial NPA Cup carnival, held at Bamaga towards the
end of each year, has been a great success with Boigu Island team Malu Kiwai being the reigning champions. Later this year the inaugural RISE camp in the Cape York hub will provide lots of opportunities. The Island of Origin and juniors’ Superhero Round will also be back to fuel the passion for rugby league, while a Family of League legends game is also in the works. “Considering the logistics and the expense of travel up here, it’s a big challenge, but these things have been done in the past, so we’ll make it happen and have it all up and running,” Mr Abednego said.
Shibasaki’s NRL debut STORY BY VELMA GARA ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ALF WILSON Rugby league centre Gehamat Shibasaki made his NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys in front of family and friends in Townsville last weekend against New Zealand Warriors. Despite a loss to the Warriors, 26-12, Shibasaki couldn’t have been prouder to wear the Cowboys colours, especially with team mate and fellow Torres Strait Islander, Rueben Cotter. Unfortunately Shibasaki was placed on report for an alleged crusher tackle on Warriors second-rower Mitch Barnett, who was forced from the field and did not return. But in another clever passage of play he came within centimetres of scoring a try and gained valuable experience. “No matter what the result, family are proud of me and will back me despite the result,” he said.
Shibasaki had played well for the Townsville Blackhawks in Round 1 in their win against Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Hotplus Cup last month. He replaced Cowboys’ suspended player, Peta Hiku, becoming Cowboy number 306 when his parents, Gehamat Snr and Nina Shibasaki, made a special presentation of his playing jersey. There were many family supporters who attended the game to see his debut in Cowboys colours. Although the 25-year-old was excited at the start of last week, he said he was nervous before running out on the field for the game. “But once I got my first carry out of the way, it was ok,” he said. “More than happy to keep going.” Shibasaki said he was proud to carry the Torres Strait flag as part of the NBL’s multicultural round. The Cowboys will meet the Titans at Townsville on Saturday night as warm favourites.
Proud families with Gehamat Shibasaki after the game. Pic NQ Cowboys.
LEFT: Lyrech Mara playing for Brisbane Natives at the Women’s Murri v Koori challenge at Beenleigh in January this year. Pic Christine Howes. RIGHT: Mackay Cutters Women’s Team: Pic supplied.
Mackay Cutters top the table BY ALF WILSON Blockbusting forward Sareka Mooka scored two tries when the Mackay Cutters defeated Tweed Seagulls 26-16 in round two of the Statewide BMD Women’s Premiership last weekend. Sareka played second row in the forward pack with other Torres Strait players in the lineup including halfback Tahlulah Tillet, Essay Banu and Lyrech Mara, who came off the interchange bench to make her Cutters debut. The game was held before a large crowd at Mackay’s BB Print Stadium where the Cutters scored six tries to three. It was 12-all at halftime but the Cutters finished by far the better, and now sit at the top of the table in the eight club competition. Sareka scored her first try in the 13th minute and crossed for her second four pointer at the 61st minute to dominate the forward clashes. The 21-year-old Lyrech said the team was glad to get the win
against a quality opponent. “It was a high intensity game and was very fast,” she told Torres News. “A lot of our play was structured.” Versatile Lyrech played in the second row and at lock during her 35 minutes on the field sparking the attack from the bench. Once again Sareka and fellow forward Essay made plenty of ground when they carried the ball and were both solid in defence. Tahlulah lined up a playmaking halfback and used her kicking game to advantage and was crafty in attack. Lyrech said she was looking forward to next Saturday’s match at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium against Burleigh Bears which will be played as a curtain raiser to the men’s NRL clash between the Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans. To add spice to the clash, it will be a top of the table encounter as the Burleigh Bears are second on the ladder. Now living in Mackay, Lyrech has hundreds of relatives living in Townsville and Cairns
and many will be at the game cheering her and the Cutters on. Essay Banu, Sareka and Tahlulah all had strong games for the NRL Indigenous Allstars ladies team which went down 16-12 to a Maori Allstars Ferns at Rotarua in New Zealand recently. Lyrech’s role model is her mother Rothana who is now retired as a player but follows her rugby league closely. Rothana and Lyrech had been in teams together at Allblacks carnivals including at several Zenadth Kes carnivals in the women’s division. Lyrech was a member of the Deddeyal Gammaz side which took out the ladies section of the last Zenadth Kes carnival at the Ken Brown Oval in late 2021. They have also lined up for Wakeyama at a previous Zenadth Kes. Quietly spoken off the field, Lyrech was a member of the Brisbane Natives team who scored an 18-6 win over NSW side Dunghutti ConnXions at the Women’s Murri versus Koori Interstate Challenge earlier this year.
