The beautiful outback town of Blackall at the legendary ‘black stump’ is abuzz with rugby league this weekend for the annual Arthur Beetson Foundation Outback Cup organised by the QRL Outback, Queensland Police say.
The QPS Major and Organised Crime Squad (Rural) continues its partnership with the QRL Outback using the event to engage with outback communities, in particular young footy players and their families, to work with the League to promote healthy life choices and careers in the Queensland Police Service and the League.
The carnival has attracted 120 young players from Mornington Island in the North West to Cunnamulla in the South West. The NRL and QRL are both represented at the event and have travelled with the police contingent to Tambo, Barcaldine and Blackall schools today to engage the kids and hold coaching clinics.
The QPS has MOCS Rural members, Police Recruiting officers, Crime prevention officers and the all-important local police at the event. The Queensland Police Service Rugby League Association has also sent out an invitational team to play a local Charleville, Cunnamulla and Blackall Districts ‘Western Ringers’ team on Saturday afternoon at 4pm as a finale to the Juniors competition and a curtain raiser to the local A Grade game Saturday night.
Detective Inspector Mick Dowie said one of the Service’s own is the star attraction and proving popular with the crowd.
"Senior Constable Stephanie Hancock who is stationed in the Logan area and is also the co-captain of the mighty Australian Jillaroo’s women’s rugby league team who won the World Cup," Detective Inspector Dowie said.
"The kids flock to meet Steph and she has a great connection with all of them, especially the aspiring young female players. Steph is coaching a girls team to play in the Carnival for the first time and we are looking forward to seeing the girls competition grow. We have also seen keen interest from the girls wanting to join the police as a career. The QPS team members spoke to the players last night about their career and footy experience."
Detective Inspector Mick Dowie said the enthusiasm of the QRL, NRL and QPS players and representatives is very motivating.
"They are all extremely passionate about the game but more importantly about the kids who play the game and their families and communities. These players are the grass roots to the NRL and we have seen some outstanding football skills on display. We hope these kids can see the support and opportunities the League and the Police offers them in terms of making the right life choices, respecting themselves and others, and even joining the police or working with us is some capacity to work with their own communities."
"The Blackall Tambo Regional Council and the local footy club ‘The Magpies’ members have been fantastic in preparing for and hosting the event. These rural communities are struggling with drought and we are extremely thankful for their support and that of their sponsors. We hope our presence gives support to local business and an enjoyable weekend of footy and entertainment."
"I would like to personally thank Brad Beetson of the Arthur Beetson Foundation for their ongoing sponsorship of these annual events. Brad drove out to be a part of the carnival and it is always great to have him here. We were happy to have two representatives come with us to Blackall and showcase this important work of the police and the League.
