NRL Cowboys House has been further acknowledged overnight, awarded the 2019 NRL Community Awards Community Program of the Year.
The award is one of six national awards presented each year, with the Community Program award focussed on an initiative that has demonstrated a culture of learning and support.
NRL Head of Government and Community Relations, Jaymes Boland-Rudder presented the award to NRL Cowboys House students and staff and Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel, congratulating them on developing an inclusive and positive environment to learn, study and play.
"NRL Cowboys House Boys and Girls Campus has been a wonderful success since opening, supporting close to 90 Indigenous students with accommodation whilst they complete their studies at school," Mr Boland-Rudder said.
"The North Queensland Cowboys have a long history of leading positive and proactive community activity. This award is testament to their dedication to ensure that a continuation of the next generation of North Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are provided with the best possible opportunity to complete their studies and prepare for their lives ahead."
Mr Reibel thanked the NRL for the national recognition of the program.
"This award is very special to the club, the Cowboys Community Foundation and NRL Cowboys House as ours is just one of some very special NRL club programs working hard in the community," Mr Reibel said.
"I'd like to recognise the work of Fiona Pelling and her Community team, Rochelle Jones and the NRL Cowboys House team, the Cowboys Community Foundation Board, our partners including the Australian and Queensland Governments, the NRL and our corporate partners, and the North Queensland Cowboys family, staff and ambassadors.
"This is the third year of operation for NRL Cowboys House, and each year we have grown and challenged ourselves to achieve more - this would not have been possible without the dedication and support of everyone who has contributed to this inspirational and life-changing facility."
Established in 2007, the NRL Community Awards acknowledge the tireless work that thousands of volunteers, coaches, administrators, clubs and communities deliver each year to support and champion community spirit.
This year's Community Program of the Year nominees included programs run by the Queensland Rugby League and 12 NRL clubs.
As part of the award, the NRL Cowboys House Boys and Girls Campus will receive $10,000 to put towards program costs.
