Obe Geia Challenge
2024 Obe Geia Challenge: Friday 31 May, Palm Island
Supported by:
SeaLink Queensland | Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council | selectability
Footy connecting communities: Obe Geia Challenge 2022
The Obe Geia Challenge was established in 2009 by the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys to bring communities together and promote the importance of inclusion in North Queensland.
Hosted by the remote Indigenous community of Palm Island, this hugely popular event has grown to include local and mainland teams of 15 players aged 10-12 years.
Named after former Cowboys player and Palm Island local Obe Geia, the carnival promotes the benefits of sport, fitness and healthy living and grassroots rugby league and also aims to increase positive attitudes and behaviours and reduce truancy.
Participation in the carnival is at no cost to the students, their families or their school and provides an incentive for students to regularly attend school so that they can be eligible to participate in the event.
The day is enjoyed by all involved and features a strong cultural education component, with students having the opportunity to experience first-hand the beauty of Palm Island, its people and their culture.
With the ongoing support from our partners, this junior rugby league competition has grown to become an event that students aspire to be involved in.
How it works
- Senior students from Kirwan High School and Ignatius Park College will be officiating the modified games.
- Each team will play four games, with the winner of ‘Pool Blue’ playing the winner of ‘Pool Grey’ to be the overall champion.
- A player demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship from each team will be awarded a special award during the presentation.
- North Queensland Toyota Cowboys ambassadors Ray Thompson and Tahlulah Tillett will be attending the whole carnival to cheer the players on.
Participating Schools - 2024
- Bwgcolman State School
- Currajong State School
- Good Shepherd Catholic Community School
- Kelso State School
- Magnetic Island State School
- Marian Catholic School
- Rasmussen State School
- St Clare’s Catholic School
- St Joseph’s School, The Strand
- St Michael’s Catholic School
- The Cathedral School
Obe Geia Challenge is a reconciliation initiative proudly supported by the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships through the Celebrating Reconciliation Small Grants Program.
North Queensland Cowboys respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
