The Gordonvale Indigenous Rugby League Carnival was played at Jones Park in Cairns on the weekend of October 7-8 and marked the start of the 2017 North Queensland Indigenous Carnival season.
Five (5) Open Men’s teams competed over the two days of competition with the Erub United team taking out the Championship title with a 44-12 win over Northern Cyclones.
The Gordonvale Indigenous Carnival is one of several Indigenous rugby league carnivals played in the Far North during October.
These include the Bindal Sharks (Townsville) October 13-15; Zenadth Kes Cup (Thursday Island) October 13-15, Gindaja ATSI Rugby League Carnival (Jones Park, Cairns) October 21-22, Dan Ropeyarn Memorial Rugby League Carnival (Bamaga) October 26-28 and the Mackay Indigenous Carnival (Mackay) October 27-29.
QRL Division Assistant Manager Robbie Moore acknowledged the amount of work and the professional manner in which the carnivals are run.
“The organisers are to be commended on the amount of work that goes into planning and running carnivals of this size,” he said.
“All committees have worked closely with the QRL to have the carnivals sanctioned.
“This ensures all players, referees and volunteers are insured and appropriately accredited referees officiate at the games. QRL staff also assist at the carnivals where required.
“The carnivals are great events for the local communities with high quality football being played.
“All teams contribute to the Indigenous Development Fund which assists with the continued training of coaches, sports trainers and referees in the communities, and we encourage everyone to show their support by attending their local carnival.”
