Western Ringers welcome more players to the fold
The Western Ringers’ Adrian Vowles Cup squad is welcoming players from further afield, and for the first time, has a girls’ side in the comp.
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RUGBY LEAGUE : The Western Ringers have historically been a team of local boys, from Charleville, Cunnamulla, Augathella and Quilpie.
But for the Adrian Vowles Cup, the local side will look different in more ways than one.
For the first time, the Ringers will have a girls’ team with young women from the local district, and further afield.
“The girls’ teams from Charleville, Cunnamulla and Roma will be joined together as the Western Ringers, and we are hopeful the Central West will have their own girls side, otherwise, they will join the fold with us too,” Western Rugby League representative Shaun Radnedge said.
“They will be playing a composite side from Gatton and Toowoomba Valleys, so it will be very competitive.”
Radnedge, an advocate for the girls joining the competition, is looking forward to seeing their numbers grow.
“We thought we would get more than 14 players, but that is how we started with the boys seven years ago,” he said.
“Hopefully we can foster this along and the girls will one day have their own competition in their own right.”
Combined teams within the Western Ringers don’t stop at the girls’ side this year either.
Lower-than-usual player numbers in the boys’ age groups has prompted a quintessentially local solution.
Taking cues from the local junior league, the Ringers boys will be supplementing their side with a few players from other teams.
“We have some players from Charleville and Cunnamulla in the under 14s, with the others coming from Roma and Toowoomba, then we will top up with players from Redcliffe who don’t get starting spots,” Radnedge said.
“The under 16s will a split team with Central West and we will call them the Central Ringers.”
Subbing in for another team is common practice for the local players, with the Adrian Vowles Cup offering the same opportunity to kids from across Queensland.
“This embodies the spirit of the Western Rugby League, and with the AV Cup that is something we try and foster,” Radnedge said.
“When a team is short, we put out the call asking for whoever wants to play, and we find there are kids knocking down the tent to play another game of football.”
The Adrian Vowles Cup will be played from 1.30pm on Friday, February 28.
$15m blow for Outback business as festival takes year off
The cancellation of the 2025 Big Red Bash is expected to significantly impact the economy of outback Queensland, as locals brace for the loss of millions in tourism revenue.
Revealed: Southwest Qld’s worst behaved state school students
After analysing dozens of southwest Queensland state schools and their annual student behaviour data, we can reveal who has the worst behaved. SEARCH THE FULL LIST.
Growing up in Hotel Corones: Author’s debut novel trip down memory lane in regional town
The daughter of publicans of Charleville’s iconic Hotel Corones, Sarah Todman has met some fascinating people. Now, she’s used her experience to shape her debut novel.
Hundreds of motorbikes descend on outback town for a good cause
Hundreds of motorbike riders stopped in Charleville as they make their way on the Long Ride, to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer in Australia. SEE THE PHOTOS.
From shearing to the silver screen: Laurie Bateman’s inspiring story
A police officer from humble beginnings as a sheep shearer in southwest Queensland hopes to be a relatable role model on a docuseries.
VOTING OPEN: Have your say on South West Queensland’s best coffee
Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or have a full blown caffeine addiction, nothing beats the perfect cup of coffee. Vote for your favourite cafe in our poll now.