A group of seven youngsters from Coen who love their rugby league travel an epic 500 kilometres just so they can be part of a team and be part of Mossman Sharks junior rugby league club.
Bronson Ryan is Mossman born and bred and played the majority of his junior and senior football at the club.
Ryan was visiting his hometown of Mossman once a fortnight and the young boy he was responsible for played footy while in the Far North town.
It was when other parents saw Tyreese in his Mossman Sharks playing gear that they asked Ryan if their youngsters could also play.
Ryan asked the Mossman club and they were more than willing to give those youngsters the opportunity to play.
These children also get the chance to visit the Cairns and Mossman region and explore the regional lifestyle.
It also gives them the chance to catch up with family members who live locally and also like to attend the kids games.
There are seven juniors with three Under 8, three Under 9 and one Under 10 players who take the field in Mossman.
The distance from Coen to Mossman is 500 kilometres which takes them about seven hours or so on a Friday afternoon just to get here.
All the youngsters are accommodated at Ryan's house in Mossman and then make their way to the games from there.
Coen Kindy Childcare have also given them a generous loan of their 11 seater bus which enables Ryan and the young players to travel to and from Coen.
As with all community kids, they're talented athletes and have made an immediate impression on their team mates and coaches.
The kids are very fortunate to have Ryan, who is now living in Coen, and was born and bred in Mossman.
Ryan is passionate about rugby league and spent a majority of his junior and senior footy years with Mossman, as well as coaching.
There is also a group of Groote Eylandt kids living in Julatten and attending school who also love their rugby league in Mossman.
This year, Cooktown won't be able to make it to Mossman as they are currently experiencing challenges with playing and training while their fields are being fixed.
The club is keeping the passion for rugby league alive in remote communities and is hoping Cooktown juniors will be able to travel to Mossman next year for a round of footy.
Main image: Mossman junior rugby league club president Leif Alvoen with the seven youngsters from Coen in Mossman wearing their Mossman Sharks playing gear. Photo: Mossman Sharks Junior Rugby League Club
