CONGRATULATIONS to the latest winners of the XXXX Club of the Week weekly prize – the Atherton Roosters!
The Cairns District club were nominated for the XXXX Club of the Week competition by Darryl Day and as a weekly winner, will receive some great prizes including XXXX merchandise and a ball signed by the victorious Queensland State of Origin team from Game 3, 2014.
All winning entries will also go in the draw to win the grand final prize of $5000 worth of food, beverage and entertainment for an end of season function at your club.
The XXXX Club of the Week overall winner will be announced in the coming days. Keep an eye on the QRL website to see this year’s winner.
See Darryl’s winning entry below:
THE Atherton Senior Roosters staged a first on February 15 this year by playing a pre-season under 18 grade match “Footy in the Bush” at the historic mining town Irvinebank which now has a population of 350.
It was the first ever rugby league match played at the town which was founded by pioneer mining legend John Moffat in 1884 and Irvinebank is located one hour’s drive (mostly dirt road) west of the Roosters home base in Atherton.
The idea was sprung over a few drinks at the local Irvinebank Tavern which is a long time jersey sponsor of the Roosters Under 18 team and it was decided that all funds raised would go to the local Irvinebank State Primary School.
Only 12 students attend the school and there are not many fundraising opportunities. Locals and the club worked together to improve the school oval playing surface with much watering and fertiliser in the months before the game.
Goal posts were built and erected and the venue really stood out in the bush setting.
The field was smaller than the regular size and the game was reduced to an 11 a side match. Cairns club Ivanhoes made the two-hour trip to play the Roosters. Bus transport was arranged from Atherton and many also camped overnight.
An estimated crowd of 1000 attended (more than doubled the town’s population) and the Roosters will now run the event as an annual fundraiser for the Irvinebank School.
Overall, it was a very satisfying result for the Roosters in staging this unique event to help lift the spirits of the local Irvinebank community through our great game.
List of other 2014 XXXX Club of the Week winners:
Theodore Roosters
Monto Roos
Pittsworth Danes
Cairns Kangaroos
Bulimba Valleys
Easts Mt Gravatt
Aspley Devils
