The North Queensland Cowboys will go back in time as a credit to the clubs history
The North Queensland Cowboys are going “back to the future” in 2025 as they celebrate their 30 years in the NRL.
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The North Queensland Cowboys are going “back to the future” in 2025 as they celebrate their 30 years in the NRL.
For the momentous occasion, the Cowboys will don their inaugural player jersey, worn back in 1995, to pay tribute to the club’shistory.
Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel said the jersey itself was a nod to the club’s heritage.
“It’s a replica of our 1995 jersey, the jersey that Laurie Spina took our team out for the very first time,” Mr Reibel said.
“It’s also a nod to the future for our 30th year anniversary logo on there and a nod to the future with Jake Clifford.
“But that connection to the past, the past with Dean Schifilliti, our inaugural signing in 1995.”
Mr Reibel said there had been plenty of highlights for the club over the past three decades, but also plenty of struggle.
“I think the highlight is that we have been able to get through that many struggles and come out the other end and be the club we are today,” he said.
“A club that sits in the top echelon in the NRL, not only on the field but off the football field.
“A club that is the only true regional club in the NRL, a region that is actually larger than the whole state of NSW.”
Cairns local and Cowboys halfback Jake Clifford was the poster boy for North Queensland as he showed off the 30th year look.
Clifford had a strong year for the Northern Pride, earning a spot back in the Cowboys line-up at the back end of the season.
The 26-year-old said it was a pretty special moment with the club.
“Doesn’t matter what colour this jersey is, as long as it has a Cowboys symbol on it, I am super proud to wear this jersey,” Mr Clifford said.
“Going away and getting older and a bit more wiser and mature in my footy … I built a lot of confidence going overseas for a year.
“Coming back home and being around family and all my mates again only made it easier to do my job again.”
Long-time Cowboys member and Cairns resident Tony Francis, who has been to every home game since the club was founded, has made a bold call for the 2025 season.
“We will win it,” Mr Francis said. “We came in, in 1995, we made the grand final in 2005, and we won it in 2015.
“So every 10 years that means, we will win it next year.”
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Originally published as The North Queensland Cowboys will go back in time as a credit to the clubs history
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