The NRL Telstra Footy Country Tour marked its arrival in Mackay last week, bringing the Provan-Summons trophy and the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership trophy to town, continuing on from Aurukun where it commenced its four-week journey across Australia’s footy heartland.
Telstra Footy Country Tour Ambassador and Queensland NRL legend Sam Thaiday accompanied the trophies to Alligator Creek State School and Wanderers Junior Rugby League Club where students and players were treated to an elite Rugby League Clinic to help inspire the next generation of footy stars.
Thaiday said that country footy is very important.
“It’s important for the community itself, it’s the life of that community in a lot of these little areas we’re going to, but it’s also important for the big game,” he said.
“We get some of our best players from some of these smaller country regions and if we invest in these kids, the kids are going to be the future of the NRL and NRLW.
“To have the trophies as well as some of our current and former players going around on this tour is going to be absolutely brilliant for country rugby league.”
The NRL Telstra Footy Country Tour aims to increase participation in regional areas and inspire the next generation of footy players. The tour will travel throughout Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in the lead-up to the NRL Grand Final to give regional kids and community clubs rare access to star players and elite coaching clinics.
NRL legend Sam Thaiday spent time at Alligator Creek State School and Wanderers Junior Rugby League Club last week as part of the NRL Telstra Footy Country Tour. Photos supplied
