Junior players enjoy footy camps

“Some of the parents of the kids came to Warraber by boat to watch it.”

Junior rugby league QRL/ NRL development camps and clinics held over the school holidays on Warraber and Moa (Kubin) Islands were a great success.

Warraber Cr Kabay Tamu said about 70 juniors aged six to 12 attended.

“They were from Warraber, Iama, Poruma, Erub and Masig and were billeted by locals families here,” Cr Tamu said.

“Tackling skills were done on a beach at the back of the island and everybody enjoyed it.

Heavy rain on day two which flooded the local football oval failed to daunt organisers or the kids.

“We had to move that day indoors but everybody was happy,” he said.

Whilst the focus was mainly on football, there were also stalls which gave participants an insight into potential careers when they leave school.

The day two night session focused on local heroes with guests including former-NRL Allstar Latoya Billy and

Townsville Blackhawk Tekelu Mene; education speaker Ramiyah Tamu; Pryce Tamu from the Air Force and TSRA Senior Ranger Central Cluster Coordinator Laura Pearson speaking about local careers.

The camp was hosted and run by Surumau Gladiators Football Club in partnership with the QRL, NRL and TSIRC.

Cr Tamu said he wanted to thank sponsors and funders TSIRC, TSRA, Queensland Health (KCD), CEQ (IBIS) and Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab as well as volunteer caterers.

Torres and Cape York

Operations Manager Terry Abednego, NRL representatives Tyson Phineasa from Cairns, Brisbane’s Jason Perry and Regional Wellbeing Officer Coco Quirke were also there.

Cr Tamu said Coco took the opportunity to speak to the Surumau Gladiators players about social and emotional wellbeing.

“The boys also had training sessions with QRL and NRL staff,” he said.

He said he was certain many champions of the not too distant future were unearthed at the camp.

Young Torres Strait Islander Ezra Mam (above – pic Broncos) was a prime mover in a second half blitz which led his side the Brisbane Broncos to a 43-26 victory over the Gold Coast Titans at Robina on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 26,563 fans for round seven.

Just before halftime the Titans, led up front by David Fifita, were 14-6.

Ten minutes into the second half Ezra and Broncos fullback and crafty halfback, Adam Reynolds, sparked a blitz which resulted in four quick tries.

At the 64th minute Ezra gleefully accepted a pass from Walsh to score under the posts.

After the final siren Ezra told FOX Sport commentators he was

Centre Gagai will have a big contingent of supporters in Townsville to see the Knights clash with the Cowboys in round 8.

Saibai Islanders On Both Sides

Flying winger Alex Johnston (below – Pic Rabbitohs) also scored a try in the South Sydney Rabbitohs Dolphins 36-14 win over the Dolphins at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium last Thursday night.

Star Dolphins fullback Hamiso TabuaiFidow and hard running centre Brenko Lee both Torres Strait Islanders had fair games.