Regional Queensland Gridiron: Inside the lifestyle of some of Australia’s most committed sportspeople

Are these Australia’s most dedicated sportspeople? Meet the country Queenslanders whose love for a foreign sport is so deep they cover thousands of kilometres and fork out just as much to play it.

Between College Football and the NFL, gridiron is known for dominating screens across America and the globe.

But what the sport isn’t known for is the 100 or so dedicated players from Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns who go to enormous lengths to play in the Regional Queensland Gridiron competition.

The distance from Rockhampton to Cairns is close to 1100 kilometres, about a 12-hour drive in good traffic and without a break.

This season alone, the Mackay Mavericks were scheduled to play three games in Townsville, two in Rockhampton, and one in Cairns.

Rockhampton Wolverines taking on the Cairns Falcons at Tiger Park in Walkerston, near Mackay. Picture: Michaela Harlow

That’s about 5000 kilometres, or close to 60 continuous hours on the road over the course of the season.

To the average punter, it might sound like an absurd commitment, but Mackay coach Brad Somerville was nonplussed when detailing the rigorous travel demands.

“It’s the game that we love and it’s what we have to do to be able to play,” said Somerville.

Mackay Mavericks coach Brad Somerville flanked by his troops. Picture: Mackay Gridiron Facebook/Steve McBride.

He describes the timeline of a standard trip to Townsville for a 3pm game.

By 6am the team is up and loading the trailer with all the necessary equipment. By 8am, everyone will have boarded the bus and it’s time to hit the road; they won’t be back until around 1am the next morning, assuming there’s no delays.

The financial burden is also significant too, with Somerville revealing he spent a whopping $3000 last season solely on travel and accommodation.

“The game itself is what draws these players to it,” said Somerville.

“It’s a family game ... they build really really strong bonds and they don’t want to let their brothers down, that’s why we travel.”

Understandably given the time spent on the road, the Mavericks group is as tightly-bound as they come.

“Majority of the guys will all catch up outside of sport - a big group got together to watch the footy on TV on Sunday - we’re constantly down at the barber shop where two players work having haircuts together, it really is a close-knit group.

“We’ve got people who are pushing 50 all the way down to 18, they all get along and have a laugh and a joke.

“Some of the older guys try and teach the younger guys life experiences and all that sort of stuff.”

The team consists of players from all walks of life; with fitters, barbers, paramedics, retail sales managers, teachers and IT workers taking to the field together every week.

A Townsville player deals out a heavy blow against Mackay. Picture: Michaela Harlow

In their most recent outing, the Mavericks came up short against Townsville, but Saige Webber stood tall to cross for the side’s only touchdown.

“He goes in every week and he shows heart,” Somerville said of Webber.

“He didn’t give up on the (touchdown) play at all, he kept pushing and that’s something we try to instil in all the boys.”

A player Somerville describes as one of the best wide receivers in regional Queensland is as versatile as they come given he doubles as the team’s kicker, and triples as its back-up quarterback.

“He can throw the ball, catch the ball, run the ball, do whatever,” Somerville mused.

But the story of how Webber, who works as a trade assistant, fell into the sport is unique as they come.

He describes a love of playing the NFL-inspired video game Madden on PlayStation.

Mackay Mavericks star Saige Webber. Picture: Mitch Bourke.

“Then I found out we had a Mackay team,” he recalls.

“I went and watched one of their games four years ago and said ‘I’ve got to play’.

“Madden helped a lot, it helped with learning the routes and what plays are.”

While Madden introduced Webber to the sport, what kept him playing it despite the gruelling travel commitments?

“Mainly the boys who are around, and everyone loves hitting people no matter what,” he said.

“It’s just fun, and it’s different too, different to playing league or soccer or whatever other sport there is.”

The sport of gridiron is progressing in central and northern Queensland despite its rigours, with the newly-minted Regional Queensland Irukandji set to make its debut at the next Australian national championships.

Maybe, just maybe, it will be the pathway one of these committed players needs to reach the bright lights of College Football, or even the NFL.