Zenadth Kes leads way to better day
THESE are not just the next generation of rugby league stars, they are the next leaders on Thursday Island.
The Zenadth Kes Junior Rugby League is arguably the best-organised junior league up north.
But president George Nona said it was not just about getting a football into the hands of the 130 registered players.
“One of the things that is pretty big at the moment in the position that I have in the junior leagues on Thursday Island is breeding leaders to lead,” he said.
“What we’re doing is investing in their destiny for the future.
“What we’re doing is actually putting a spark into their life.”
Nona said linking behavioural expectations to playing rugby league at schools on the island had been hugely successful.
“The most misbehaved child changed,” he said.
“It’s more than league.
“Especially being on Thursday Island, it’s so small and a lot of kids want to be active.” rugby
Nona and those around him at Zenadth Kes had received support from some of the biggest names in the game in a sign the organisation was headed in the right direction.
“We had David Shillington and Clinton Toopi come up a few weeks ago and they did state the junior league they had seen even runs better than the leagues in Sydney,” he said.
Nona said the under-13s had been looking forward to their Intrust Super Cup curtain-raiser in Bamaga for some time, although they had to leave before the main game started so they could catch the bus to the last ferry out from Seisia.