Rugby league has ushered in a new era in Townsville this season, with the adoption of an independent governance model.
The TDRL and TDJRL will move to a single incorporated body, now known as the Rugby League Townsville and District (RLTD).
The move to this new model was seen as an opportunity for rugby league in Townsville to create a more unified approach to growing and delivering competitions and development in both juniors and seniors throughout the region.
RLTD has not wasted any time in shaking up the Townsville rugby league landscape, with the board unanimously voting to approve the return of senior rugby league in Bowen.
Senior rugby league has not been played in Bowen for more than one decade but a side has been entered into this year's RLTD reserve grade competition.
A large upswing in junior participation numbers - driven by the dedicated committee at Bowen Seagulls, led by chairman Darren Piggott - has seen a renewed hunger to have senior rugby league played in the town.
“This club is about giving our locals a chance to play footy for their community and give our juniors something to aspire to and stay engaged with sport,” Piggott said.
“Bowen is a rugby league town and we have got support from both the mayor Andrew Wilcox and local government to continue to grow."
Bowen are also aiming to get a team in the women’s competition but currently have a number of places to fill.
“We have a great crew of around 10 to 12 ladies but would love to get a couple more to give them an opportunity to play,” Piggott said.
“Over the next two seasons we are looking to enter an under 19s and ladies (team) and the vision is to have a competitive team in the A-grade competition also.
"Bowen is a rugby league heartland and we are thankful to the new RLTD board for believing in our vision and supporting the club to get back into seniors.”
Bowen's entry means the RLTD reserve grade competition will field eight teams in 2022, with seven in the A-grade, women’s and under 19s.
“RLTD has a vision to develop and grow the game in the Townsville district by challenging ourselves to question where we are at currently and where we want to be into the future,” RLTD chairperson Roger Whyte said.
“Bowen's re-entry forms a part of our strategy to grow the senior competition by working with clubs to build capacity and have long-term sustainability.
"We have also moved to align our senior and junior calendar to provide greater opportunity for our junior participants and their families to grow their connection with the club and hopefully become lifelong members of our clubs."
RLTD will host a girls rugby league gala event on February 27, with players and staff from the North Queensland Gold Stars and Townsville Blackhawks in attendance.
The RLTD season will commence with the Field of Dreams round robin tournament on March 26 before Round 1 the following week.
Whyte believes the future is bright for rugby league in Townsville.
“These are the first small steps in our new journey. We have plenty more to do but are confident this new, unified direction will have positive outcomes”.
