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.”