THE UPCOMING Intrust Super Cup rugby league match in Maryborough will help grow the sport among the Fraser Coast’s junior players.
That was the sentiment shared by Rugby League Fraser Coast Chairperson Toni Worthington at Eskdale Park last week.
The Wynnum Manly Seagulls will clash with the Papua New Guinea Hunters on July 31.
The fixture will provide local rugby league enthusiasts the chance to watch elite players in action, while also giving the local tourism and hospitality sector a much-needed cash injection.
Ms Worthington said it was great the Wynnum Manly Seagulls would be playing fixtures in the region for the next three years.
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“It was around this time last year that we announced we would have the Intrust Super Cup games for three years, but unfortunately they were cancelled due to COVID-19. It’s great that they are back again,” she said.
“There was a lot of disappointment when the match was cancelled last year, so I know people will be very excited that we have Wynnum Manly Seagulls coming back and the Papua New Guinea Hunters are also very entertaining team to watch.”
The fixture will allow Rugby League Fraser Coast to give back to the sporting community.
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Children will get extra development through the arrangement with several clinics on the cards in the days building up to the match.
“Development is key in our regional areas. This has certainly given us a pathway to development,” Ms Worthington explained.
She said the backing of the Fraser Coast Regional Council and the Intrust Super Cup match was exciting for the many volunteers involved in the sport across the region.
Volunteering for community sports is often a thankless task but, according to Ms Worthington, having the backing of the Fraser Coast Regional Council and the interest of the Intrust Super Cup was something the volunteers and players could all embrace and look forward to.
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Wynnum Manly Seagulls CEO Hanan Laban said the match was a great way to help develop the game on the Fraser Coast and provide an opportunity for quality local players to access the state-wide competition and potentially the NRL.
Mr Laban said he was expecting a carnival atmosphere on the day, with the Papua New Guinea Hunters being renowned for drawing large crowds to their matches.
“We played them in round one of the Gold Coast and it was a great crowd then and a very tough game.”
MAIN IMAGE: Courtesy of FC Sports Media.
