All the action from massive junior league Walker Weekend Challenge

ACTION GALLERY: The Darling Downs and South East Queensland best under-13 teams lined up in the Walker Weekend Challenge. Check out our massive action photo gallery here.

Allie Ege finds a gap before crossing for a Dalby try against Valleys in Walker Weekend Challenge at John McDonald Sports Complex. Pictures: Kevin Farmer

It’s official the Walker Weekend Challenge is a “sellout”.

Valleys Roosters’ John McDonald Sports Complex was bursting at the seams at the weekend with a record 22 teams, 16 male and six female squads, lining up in the under-13 rugby league competition.

Challenge co-ordinator Lennie Currie said they had to turn away teams for the two-day carnival this year.

“We’re at capacity now, teams actually nominated and missed out this year for the first time because we can’t fit any more in,” Currie said.

“We get a lot of interest from everywhere so it will be first-in, best-dressed next year.

“And the growth of the girls’ game has been amazing.

“The first year we ran (girls), clubs entered only having to put nine (players) on the field, then we went to 11-a-side.

“Now it is 13-a-side, and all the girls’ teams are chockas with 20 players.”

Now in its fifth year, the challenge was named in honour of the Walker family – Gary, Trish, Ben, Shane, Chris and Luke – all of whom had a strong connection with Toowoomba rugby league and the Valleys Roosters club.

The challenge was created to give Toowoomba juniors the chance to play “cup footy” at home.

“Every year clubs from Toowoomba head off to Gladstone and Townsville for the Laurie Spina and Jason Hetherington Cup and out to Charleville for the Adrian Vowles, and we thought Toowoomba needed something,” Currie said.

“The age group that was missing was under-13s, and with the Walkers’ history with Valleys we approached them and they were happy to take it on.”

Hudson Demnar of South Burnett against Pittsworth Danes in Walker Weekend Challenge at John McDonald Sports Complex, Saturday, March 23, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Richard Cunningham of South Burnett against Pittsworth Danes in Walker Weekend Challenge at John McDonald Sports Complex, Saturday, March 23, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toby Lazarus of Pittsworth Danes against South Burnett in Walker Weekend Challenge at John McDonald Sports Complex, Saturday, March 23, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Jediah Vonhoff of Pittsworth Danes takes on the South Burnett defence during a Walker Weekend Challenge game at John McDonald Sports Complex. Pictures: Kevin Farmer

Kambel Dempsey of Pittsworth Danes.

Preston Simpkins of South Burnett.

Jade Bailey of Wattles against Dalby.

Jade Bailey of Wattles tackled by Fynn Carmicchael and Daryuis Woodbridge.

Zavier Frahm on the move for South Burnett against Pittsworth Danes.

Darcy Sutton on the move for Pittsworth Danes against South Burnett.

Allie Ege finds a gap before crossing for a Dalby try against Valleys.

Larissa Hero on the move for Valleys against Dalby.

Zavier Frahm on the move for South Burnett against Pittsworth Danes.

Nevaeh Horswood of Dalby charges Jaylah Weatherall of Valleys.

Annabell Cook of Souths is tackled by a South Burnett player.

Sarah Hall of Dalby against Valleys.

Claire Gadsby of Dalby pushes through the Valleys defence.

Mia Johnson of Dalby is tackled by Valleys players.

Larissa Hero with the ball for Valleys against Dalby.

Allie Ege gets a Dalby try against Valleys.

Sharna O'Neil of Valleys against Dalby.

Nevaeh Horswood (centre) after scoring a try for Dalby.

Jake Burns for Wattles against Dalby.

Cooper Baker on the way to score a try for Dalby.

Daquon Mitchell of Dalby against Wattles.

Cooper Baker on the way to try for Dalby.

Daquon Mitchell of Dalby against Wattles.

Cooper Zaddow for Wattles against Dalby.

Toby Cruikshank (Tenterfield) for Wattles against Dalby.

Noah Michelon of South Burnett against Pittsworth Danes.

Thomas Patterson for Wattles against Dalby.

Hudson Murphy of South Burnett against Pittsworth Danes.

Larissa Hero on the move for Valleys against Dalby.

Tayla Kirkpatrick of South Burnett against Souths.

Declan McInnes of Brothers tackled out by Jack Harrigan of Souths.

Logan Tibrell of Brothers against Souths.

Xander Bolton for Souths against Brothers.

Karter Dening of Souths against Brothers.

Jett Anderson for Brothers against Souths.

Jack Harrigan of Souths is tackled by Nezarlo Larkin of Brothers.

Nezarlo Larkin of Brothers against Souths.

Chloe Dennis of South Burnett against Souths.

Scarlett Karaka of Souths against South Burnett.

Chloe Dennis of South Burnett against Souths.

Ava Henry of Souths against South Burnett.

Hannah Austin of Souths against South Burnett.

Georgie Pengilly of Souths against South Burnett.

Mia Johnson of Dalby on the move against Valleys.

Ella Moor of Dalby is tackled by Valleys players.

Phoebe Tulilo-Seremaia of Valleys against Dalby.

Tiffany Williamson of South Burnett against Souths.

Nevaeh Horswood gets over to try for Dalby against Valleys.

Skyla Whyte of Dalby tackled by Phoebe Tulilo-Seremaia of Valleys.

Originally published as All the action from massive junior league Walker Weekend Challenge