Cowboys head North for Gulf community blitz
Students in Weipa and Mapoon have been encouraged to reach for the stars following a blitz on their region by some of the Cowboys’ biggest names and brightest talents.
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) once again joined forces for the Bulk Ports Blitz, this time visiting students at Western Cape College and St Joseph's Parish School, while Napranum Early Childhood Centre was added to the schedule for the first time.
Cowboys flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and North Queensland Toyota Gold Stars captain Romy Teitzel used the visit as an opportunity to inspire students to keep working hard as the school year winds down, whether in their studies, rugby league or sport.
Romy said the two-day trip allowed players to reach students in remote communities, inspiring both girls and boys to follow their dreams through hard work, teamwork and respect.
“It’s really important, especially as the women’s game is developing, for me to be out in the community to show children our faces and that anything is possible, and to let them aim for something really high,” she said.
“A lot of the kids couldn’t believe there was an NRL player in their school, and especially seeing Hammer interact with those kids was really cool, and I think they got every piece of their clothing signed.
“Many of the kids up here play quite a few different sports so it’s important to spread the message that there’s also a pathway around women’s rugby league and I think we’re spreading that message well.”
Thousands of school students have been reached through community “blitzes” since the partnership between the Cowboys and NQ Bulk Ports was established in 2016.
Hamiso and Romy, along with Cowboys development staff, spent time in the classroom speaking with the students before joining them for outdoor activities and rugby league drills.
Students at St Joseph’s college spent hours practising kicking, passing and catching drills alongside the two players, learning skills and the value of teamwork and being active.
The partnership between the Cowboys and NQBP has seen port communities in Mackay, Bowen and Weipa already “blitzed” in 2021 with a trip to Sarina (Hay Point) scheduled for later this year.
As the port authority for Weipa, NQBP operates Evan’s Landing Wharf and supports Rio Tinto’s Lorim Point and Humbug Point Wharf, which caters for major onshore bauxite handling.
Other commodities carried through the port includes general cargo and fuel.
NQBP CEO Nicolas Fertin said the annual blitz program promotes positive change in the Weipa community through the school visits.
“While we’re very different organisations, we both believe when everyone has an opportunity to participate, we can make a positive impact in our North Queensland port communities,” he said.
“Like the Cowboys, we’re passionate about leading positive change and fostering strong partnerships with our communities.
“Through using the personality power of the Cowboys, we can encourage local students to make the right choices for success.”
During their visit to the region, Romy and Hamiso also presented a signed Cowboys 2021 Indigenous jersey to Weipa Community Care Association to assist the group with their fundraising efforts.
The Cowboys are now looking forward to the final stop on the 2021 Bulk Ports Blitz program, Hay Point later this month.
