Cowboys extend major deal with two of Cairns’ biggest NRL schools
The Cowboys has signed a deal with two of Cairns’ most successful rugby league talent factories, securing the future of its elite pathways program in the Far North.
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St Augustine’s College has joined forces with the NQ Cowboys, securing the future of its elite pathways program in the Far North.
The Cowboys announced on Wednesday afternoon they have re-signed the elite pathways program for a further two years.
It comes at a time the St Augustine’s College Aaron Payne Cup side is chasing an undefeated tournament heading into the finals.
Saints captain Jack Rix, who is also part of the Northern Pride-Cowboys program, said it is another exciting chapter for the school and the Cowboys.
“It is good to have the Cowboys here, especially us being in their pathways and help develop, especially North Queensland,” Rix said.
“We have lacked in the last couple of years so it will be good to get them to help develop us.
“Hopefully we can compete against what are known as those bigger schools like Ignatius Park College and Kirwan SHS.
“They (Cowboys) let us know they have extended the pathway program for a further two years which is really good because it has been a good one and a half years we have had with them.”
The pathway has already worked wonders over the two years with a number of players signing with the development program.
“It has worked well, we have a number of guys who have signed contracts with the Cowboys,” Rix said.
“It is good to have those boys come in, show some ambition and try to lift our people up.”
The Saints currently are undefeated in the Aaron Payne Cup Pool B, with five wins from five games.
There are three teams from Cairns combined across the two pools, with Mareeba SHS joining the Saints in Pool B and Trinity Bay SHS in Pool A.
“We strive to be in the top pool, especially next year,” Rix said.
“It has been good to have those boys especially being in grade 11.
“They (St Augustine’s College) give us all the tools to help us with extra time to study because we are missing out when we go to Townsville.
“They give us the opportunities to make time up, the teachers are very lenient and helpful with that.
“We are keen to finish the season on a high and look forward to next Saturday (semi final).”
Trinity Bay SHS secure pathways signing with NQ Cowboys.
The NQ Cowboys has signed a deal with one of Cairns’ most successful rugby league talent factories, securing the future of its elite pathways program in the Far North.
The Cowboys announced on Wednesday their allegiance with Trinity Bay State High School will continue for another two years.
Cowboys game development coach Mitchell Dunn said it was great to continue the pathway program with Cairns.
“It is really really important, for the last two years we have had an agreement with Trinity Bay and now they have extended for another two years,” Dunn said.
“It is a growing program but we have seen a positive change in their teams and hopefully it keeps improving for the better.
“There has been a lot of talent through T-Bay that are playing in the NRL.
“We are just trying to do our best to encourage that as best we can and help the T-Bay program.
“Pretty much what we teach at the Cowboys, so our drills, our skills, just very accessible to us, all their coaches come to our academy programs.”
TBSHS football program manager Shannon Riles said it was important to continue this partnership with the Cowboys.
“For the Cowboys to show the faith in us to develop the players, who can move into their system or an elite pathway, for them to support us in that, shows we are doing the right thing here,” Riles said.
“And it is really important for us that we are doing the right thing for them and keeping our kids up here in the Far North with their families.
“And if they do well enough to be able to get into that elite system then they are ready for it.”
Riles said there was plenty of talent in Cairns, and plenty of talent at TBSHS.
“We have two students who are on NRL contracts and another two who are on development contracts,” he said.
“Our aim is to make sure the boys and girls from Trinity Bay, that when they finish in our system, they are prepared for the elite pathway.”
The program involves development for students from the age of 13 when they begin their journey at TBSHS to when they graduate aged 17 or 18.
“There is development in skills, strength and conditioning, a development in the knowledge of the game and what it requires to be an elite rugby league player,” Riles said.
“There is that commitment to training, the commitment to above all others, school is the most important thing.
“But rugby league is there for them to work through.”
The next big focus for Riles and Trinity Bay is the girls/womens program as the NRLW looks to continue to grow the game.
“The girls pathway is probably the one that has been least developed,” Riles said.
“It is as important to us as the boys rugby league, our head coach is Jenni-Sue Hopper who has been appointed from the NRLW and the Cowboys.
“She has tremendous credentials within the game and her mentorship with our girls means they are getting very top level coaching and mentoring.
“And we are very proud for what we are doing for our girls in the region and in the school.”
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Originally published as Cowboys extend major deal with two of Cairns’ biggest NRL schools
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