SPORT 19
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 25 MAY 2023
Cotter & Tillet to help lead the way for students FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS – REUBEN COTTER With family ties to Darnley and Boigu, Reuben Cotter is still learning about his ancestry and hopes to share his life experiences with students at NRL Cowboys House. Cotter grew up in Koumala, south of Mackay, and understands the challenges of living in a small community. The 24-year old has experienced a rapid rise through rugby league, and at a young age has already represented his heritage in the Indigenous All Stars and State of Origin. Cotter hopes to inspire the next generation of young people whether in sport or education, and places a high importance on connection to culture. “If you want to achieve something and you’ve got a dream, go for it,” he said.
SHARING THE JOURNEY – TAHLULAH TILLETT Tahlulah Tillett grew up mostly in Cairns with her family hailing from St Paul Village on Moa Island. The new Cowboys NRLW player has also represented the Indigenous All Stars. Tahlulah is a familiar face to many of the girls at the House,. “I’ve always been about giving back to the next generation, and being a proud Torres Strait Islander woman, I’m just really looking forward to sharing bits about my journey with the kids but also hearing about theirs,” she said. “I think no matter what goal or dreams that these students have in life, I think one common thing is that you’ve got to work very hard to be able to achieve your dreams.”
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Reuben Cotter and Tahlulah Tillett have been named 2023 NRL House ambassadors, acting as inspirations to students from near and far to strive for their dreams. Reuben and Tilly were presented with their 2023 NRL Cowboys House polo shirt, featuring Renee Wilson’s ‘Mundarlbi’ design, and warmly welcomed by students at a special meet and greet earlier this week. As player ambassadors, the Indigenous All Stars representatives will visit NRL Cowboys House for key events, milestones and casual visits amongst their training and playing commitments. The House is a unique ‘home away from home’ for 104 Indigenous students from remote
Queensland communities as they pursue their secondary education at partner schools in Townsville. Managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation, the charity arm of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, NRL Cowboys House is a joint initiative between the National Rugby League, North Queensland Cowboys, the Queensland Government and the Australian Government.
“JUST TWO REALLY GOOD PEOPLE” With both Reuben and Tahlulah having already spent time around NRL Cowboys House General Manager Rochelle Jones said she believed they would be genuine and humble role models. “Something we talk about to the young people who board here is about being a good
person, a genuine person that really looks out for others,” she said. “They’re two amazing role models for these young people to be able to sit down, have dinner with, go out in the afternoon, talk about their successes, and maybe they can inspire the young people just to be a really good person. “For both of those players talking to the young people about where their families have come from and what’s happening on the islands now, and the changes that have happened since they’ve been home, I think they’ll learn a lot and then hopefully I think just make things stronger and stronger for the kids at the House. “For those guys to be gifted with those House shirts today, I know they’ll be proud ambassadors wearing that.”
HostPlus Cup Round up Pioneer Knights already training for ZKRL in June BY ALF WILSON
EDRICK SCORES TWO TRIES Experienced NRL back Edrick Lee scored two tries for the CQ Capras, who played an exciting 26-all draw with the Sunshine Coast Falcons at Rockhampton in round 10 of the Hostplus Statewide Cup on Saturday. The lanky and fast winger scored his four pointers at the 54th and 70th minute marks. The Falcons had led 16-6 at halftime and Edrick shone from his wing position. “Eddie”, as his teammates refer to him looks set for a call up for the NRL Dolphins in coming weeks.
REUBEN SPEED TO BURN Former Townsville Blackhawks speedster Jon Reuben played a major role in the 26-12 win by his team the Norths Devils over his old side in round 10 on Sunday. Norths had led 12-6 at the break and went on with the job to outscore the Blackhawks in the second half. On the Blackhawks side was Jayden Hodges, who was a teammate of Jon’s for Erub United at recent Allblacks carnivals.
GIDEON HAS A WIN Ex-Cowboys back Gideon Gela-Mosby played well for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in their 28-24 win over the PNG Hunters at BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday.
Both teams scored five tries and the Hunters came back strongly in the second half after trailing 22-nil at the break.
PRIDE DOWN AT TULLY Northern Pride lost 28-12 to Souths Logan Magpies before a large crowd at the Tully Showgrounds. Scores were deadlocked 12-all at half time. The Pride side included Julian Christian, Dantoray Lui, Bernard Lui and Denzel Smith from Weipa. Good for the Magpies was youngster Tristan Sailor. At the completion of the round Capras were sitting fifth, Dolphins (seventh), Pride (ninth) PNG Hunters (10th) Blackhawks (12th) and Cutters (15th).
TORRES STRAIT PLAYERS SHINE IN COLTS
Meanwhile in round five of the Hastings Deering Colts competition, rising young star Brenton Baira scored a try in the Redcliffe Dolphins 32-10 win over the Mackay Cutters. Caiban Thaiday scored a try and Dmitri Ahwang booted two goals for the Northern Pride in their 54-12 loss to the South Logan Magpies at Tully. The Townsville Blackhawks had a handsome 52-6 win over the Norths Devils at Bishop Park and talented Tyreice Baira-Gela scored two tries and “Deadly” Dudley Dotoi booted seven goals.
BY ALF WILSON Some quality new signings will give Pioneer Knights every opportunity to charge up the ladder in the 2023 Zenadth Kes Rugby League club competition on Waiben. Players have already been training hard in preparation for the season coach Olsen Sailor told the Torres News earlier this month. “I have been told it will start soon after the Island of Origin Series on Badu which is from 16 to 18 June,” he said. “We have some good players from last season and several new ones who are talented.” Pioneer Knights was eliminated in last season’s semi final by Mulga Tigers, who later lost the grand final to premiers Roosters 44-20. Olsen said former Suburbs prop Joshua Gabey and Aaron Guligo – who was previously with Roosters – would be great assets. “They are both very good footballers and we are blessed to have them,” he said. Other players who look set for big seasons include forwards Edwin Aniba, Bauz Harry, Nabaina Sailor and Aaron Banu. Olsen is a well credentialed coach having been mentor of the Northern United representative side which lost to Queensland Outback at Roma in 2022. He has been coach of Pioneer Knights since 2018 and retired as a player two years later.
“I used to fill in then when we were short of players,” he said. Olsen said Knights was formed in 2005 and won the premiership two years later. “Most of the boys are from Rosehill and Waibene on TI,” he said. “All champions who play this season will be a value to the red, white and blue families.” Olsen was a nephew of former NRL, Queensland State of Origin, Test and rugby union star Wendell Sailor, now a commentator. “Pioneer Knights has been building blocks last season and we are all looking forward to the coming local season,” he said. It looks like being a bumper ZKRL season at Ken Brown Oval with talk of six men’s and four women’s teams competing. Roosters will once again be the team to beat but Mulga Tigers has lots of young players mixed with experienced footballers and will also be hard to beat. You can never write off Suburbs and Alau Eagles from the NPA was competitive in 2002. Pioneer Knights finished third last season and lost 32-22 to Mulga Tigers in the preliminary final. In an earlier semi final Pioneer Knights beat Suburbs 36-20. At the completion of the 15 rounds of fixtures last August Roosters had led the points table with 21 from Mulga on 15, Suburbs 12, Pioneer Knights 7 and Alau Eagles 5.
TN0230 8x2 local sports
House Ambassadors Reuben Cotter & Tahlulah Tillett. Pic thanks to Cowboys.
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