SPORT 15
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 15 JUNE 2023
Island of Origin draw set for weekend of action BY ALF WILSON The action at Badu Island’s much anticipated Island of Origin carnival starts tomorrow morning with a large number of visitors from around the Torres Strait and NPA expected to be there. Nine men’s and three women’s teams will battle it out in what is one of the most popular events on the region’s sporting calendar. On Friday in round
one at 11am the Paga Panthers v Argun Warriors, followed by Roxin Eagles v Pioneer Knights, Wakaid Warriors v Surumau Gladiators and Magun Warriors v reigning champions Apudthama Brothers from the NPA. In round two at 3.15pm Goemu Bau Raiders v Argun Warriors, at 4pm a ladies match between Kayin Koasals and Jillaroos, at 4.45pm Paga Panthers v Pioneer Knights and at 5.30pm Surumau
Gladiators v Roxin Eagles, followed by Apudthama Brothers v Wakaid Warriors and at 7pm Magun Warriors v Goemu Bau Raiders. Players will need a good night’s sleep as on Saturday as two more qualifying rounds start at 9.30am the next day when Jillaroos meet Pioneer Dames from Waiben in a ladies game. That will be followed by round three men’s games Roxin Eagles v Goemu Bau Raiders,
Wakaid Warriors v Argun Warriors in a home island encounter, Magun Warriors v Pioneer Knights and at 12.30pm Apudthama Brothers meets Surumau Gladiators from Warraber. Round four kicks off at 2.30pm on Saturday when Goemu Bau Raiders v Paga Panthers, a ladies match at 3.15pm between Kayin Koasals and Pioneer Knights, Argun Warriors v Roxin Eagles, Pionerr Knights
v Wakaid Warriors, Surumau Gladiators v Magun Warriors from Iama, and at 6.30pm Paga Panthers and Apudthama Brothers meet. On Sunday the men’s quarter finals start at 8am which will pit first v eighth, second v seventh, third v sixth and fourth v fifth. The ladies will see 2nd v third placed sides meet for the right at advance to the grand final against the
qualifying points table leader. Semi finals kick off at 1pm when the highest ranked men’s winner takes on the lowest ranked winner, and at 2pm the second highest ranked winner meets the second lowest ranked winner. At 4pm the ladies grand final will start and at 5pm the blue ribbon Men’s decider starts. That will be followed by a presentation of trophies to winning teams and players who
have won individual awards. This popular carnival is being organised by Dhadhin Geai Warriors and supported by the NRL and QRL. Sponsors include TSYRSA, Skytrans, Torres Strait Air, Meriba Ged Ngalpun Mab, Tagai Management Consultants, Intract TSI Quarry’s and OSCA. Entertainment during the carnival will include the Men’s and Women’s Island Sprints on the football oval.
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Four teams to contest 2023 NPA comp
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STORY BY ALF WILSON PICS BY SHANELLA MAJID
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Four teams – Alau Eagles, Bamaga Roos, Injinoo Crocs and New Mapoon Warriors are contesting a Northern Peninsula Area rugby league competition, which started this month. Two rounds of fixtures have held at Bamaga on Thursday nights. In round one, on Thursday 1 June, Alau Eagles 18 d Bamaga Roos 6 and Injinoo Crocs 24 d New Mapoon Warriors 22. Round two last week saw New Mapoon Warriors 20 d Alau Eagles 16, and Injinoo Crocs 18 d Bamaga Roos 6. QRL Region Manager Northern for Community Rugby League and Competitions Renae Kunst said the comp was great news for league followers in the area. “Rugby league is back on the Northern Peninsula with the return of the NPA men’s comp,” she said. “The four teams have had their first matches since the outbreak of COVID-19 and this is sure to satisfy the appetite for the game and bring plenty of other benefits for each community. “We’ve had great support from the NPA council to get this under way because they know how many positive social benefits there are in having people engaged in rugby league. “It’s a language everyone speaks. “From all reports there were massive crowds and people came from everywhere to be part of it.” Last season Alau Eagles contested the five team ZKRL comp on Waiben and performed well. She said the ZKRL senior comp would start soon on Waiben and also looked like being a big success. “That will follow what promises to be an epic Island of Origin carnival on Badu Island starting Friday featuring nine men’s three women’s teams,” she said.
Darts, ballgames, water sports, athletics ... whatever your game is, we’re keen! Send us your pic of the week, fixtures or finals results by noon on Monday! Captains Bamaga Roos Hassim Adidi & Injinoo Crocs Windsor Bowie.
Captains Alau Rodney Toby & New Mapoon Frankie Cook.
Game officials Nathan Accom, Stanley Dai & Zack Williams.
She said she was keen about the rugby league comps in the Torres Strait, NPA, Cape York, and the Three Rivers area around Cooktown, Wujal Wujal and Hope Vale. “This is on top of our fourteam competition in the Gulf of Carpentaria,” she said. “Normanton, Doomadgee and Mornington Island recently participated in the first of the monthly clusters, with
Cloncurry to join them for the next cluster later this month. “The Three Rivers competition is envisioned to kick off in the next couple of weeks.” She said the RISE programs in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay were also going along nicely. “Our under 15’s program is about to get underway in
partnership with the Queensland Hostplus Cup clubs Northern Pride, Townsville Blackhawks and Mackay Cutters respectively, which will help light the pathway into Cyril Connell Cup squads in 2024,” she said. “Many of those who will be involved were in action at the recent under 15 Michael Morgan Cup carnival, featuring 16 boys and nine girls’ teams. “It was wonderful to see the finalists getting to play on Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium as a curtain raiser to the North Queensland Cowboys NRL match against Melbourne Storm.” She said that participants in the QRL All Abilities program would have a similar opportunity. “Townsville travels to Mackay on Saturday to play ahead of the Cutters game, before the return leg on June 16 at QCBS before the Cowboys versus Panthers NRL game,” she said. “Once again this is proof rugby league as a game without boundaries for anyone who wants to participate. “It’s part of a huge few days in Townsville, featuring the arrival into camp of the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons women ahead of their deciding fixture, with a fan day on The Strand on 17 June sure to draw a crowd and encourage the community to get right behind them after a wonderful win in enemy territory last week.”
EMAIL: editor@torres.news
THURSDAY ISLAND / SEISIA
FERRY SCHEDULE JUN – SEP 2023 Monday to Saturday (June to Saturday, 30 September) THURSDAY ISLAND to SEISIA: Depart 6.30AM & 2.30PM SEISIA to THURSDAY ISLAND: Depart 8AM & 4PM
During June to end of September, 2023, Peddells Ferry will operate on all gazetted bank holidays.
“Linking the Cape with the Torres Strait”
Boarding strictly 15 mins prior to departure
PHONE 07 4069 1551
RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL – TICKET ONLINE www.peddellsferry.com.au • Passengers please pre-ticket – online, agents (or by phone: booking fee applicable) Concession fares available, conditions apply OFFICE HOURS MON–FRI, 9am–12noon & 12.30–2.30pm LUGGAGE – Passengers are required to take their luggage directly to the ferry with them at boarding time (1 piece under 20 kg, excess charges otherwise apply) FREIGHT – Items under 20 kg carried, conditions apply. Please note freight may be delivered 1.30pm to 2pm to travel on the 2.30pm TI-Seisia Service or at other times delivered directly to the vessel and pre paid.
The Jetty Shop & Office, Engineers Jetty, Thursday Is.
