Page 91 - Tropic Magazine Issue 12

Lifestyle
Sports

03
From a QRL/NRL perspective as the
governing bodies, the risk is this sets a
bad precedent, however the direct lipside
of this is if it is done well this could be the
model that takes the game forward in
leaps and bounds in this region. is is a
01 best-practice model in major sporting
From the Pride perspective, it is crucial codes around the world and can be a
as outlined by the Chairman that the game changer for the sport locally.
Club maintain its identity and
achievements to date. If this is lost, the 04
Pride loses who it is and where it’s come From a local rugby league perspective,
from. e foresight and input from this can be the catalyst to bring the
people like John O’Brien and Denis various levels, leagues, clubs, schools,
Kee fe, the 40 local businesses that put venue managers, parents and players
up $200,000 for the first five years to together and travelling in the same
allow the Pride to exist or the playing, direction. ere are a number of
coaching and support sta f who have all challenges facing various levels of the
Taking Pride to gone way above and beyond what is game and a refresh and united cause
next level expected must not be lost. On a positive could definitely help.
note, a much more professional, e ficient
and sustainable operation is possible 05
Tropic columnist Chris with better access to Cowboys’ resources
Sheppard tackles the in football management, marketing, From a local region and community
point of view this move can only help.
possibility of a Northern sponsorship, membership and financial A better resourced Northern Pride
Pride takeover. administration and support. helps the local economy, provides new
Words Chris Sheppard 02 opportunities for locals and overall is a
positive for the region.
Some big news in the semi-professional From the Cowboys perspective, the key Considering the points above, there is a
sporting world is the potential North downside is the additional resourcing good opportunity for the Pride,
Queensland Cowboys takeover of the required to successfully administer the Cowboys and QRL/NRL to implement
Northern Pride licence. It will be very Pride. e upside however includes the first ‘best practice’
interesting to see how this plays out, more control, input and foreseeable semi-professional model in this
with particular focus on the success outcomes not only from the perspective competition and this region. e
that might be achieved and the of player pathways but also for coaches benefits seem to outweigh the
potential for this to be a template for and football support sta f and those in negatives. Let’s not forget QLD Cup
other clubs, codes and locations. ere administration. I can picture FNQ teams have been beaten convincingly by
are five key stakeholders here and we locals working, learning and being NSW Cup teams in the last two years.
need to look at the pros and cons for mentored to become sporting e game needs to be looking for the
each of them. professionals both on and o f the field. next step change in performance!

MASTERS OF THEIR DOMAIN
More than 2000 athletes aged 35 and over will
descend on Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef
Masters Games, returning to Cairns in May 2019.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the four-day
biennial event encouraged people to stay active
in sport for longer.
"The social aspect is just as important as the
sport itself and the feedback we always get is
about how much fun athletes have had in
Cairns,” Cr Manning said.
“We’re working with local sporting organisations to make the 2019 games the biggest yet.”
Last year, more than 1200 people visited Cairns for a combined 5800 visitor nights to
attend the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games. This is estimated to have injected about
$850,000 into the regional economy.
For more information and to register for the 2019 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games,
head to www.gbrmg.com.au.