A Footy Extravaganza in Proserpinee

Photo source: Paul Bowman Challenge Facebook

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Proserpine is set for a footy explosion when the Paul Bowman Junior Rugby League Challenge brings about 4,500 players, coaches, volunteers and family members to town on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September.

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Now in its 18th year, the popular junior rugby league carnival has attracted 82 teams from across Queensland for its biggest weekend of competition yet.

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Along with the games, one of the most spectacular sites will be the Sam Faust Memorial Relay,  

scheduled at midday on Sunday. Possibly the largest relay in Queensland, with 820 kids involved, 82 on the starting line, running across the fields and passing off a footy to the following runners. The colours of the different team uniforms, crowd cheering, the laughter and the excitement make this relay unique.  

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Returning this year is the monster raffle with prizes, including signed football jerseys,  

Whitsunday tours and accommodation packages, restaurant vouchers, and spa and beauty  

treatments, with funds raised helping to deliver next year's challenge.  

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Eddie Deicke, President of the Proserpine Whitsunday Junior Rugby League Club, said that the primary focus is sportsmanship and the players having fun. Eddie also said many local kids take on essential roles, including refereeing, line people, assisting in the office and generally helping, which is terrific for personal development.

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The marquee Whitsunday event would not be possible without the support of Paul Bowman, Whitsunday Regional Council, the NRL and QRL, the North Queensland Cowboys, Tassal, and the many sponsors, volunteers and onsite vendors who contribute each year.

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