Hundreds hit trials
Netball: CAIRNS Netball Association will have over 200 players hitting the Martyn St netball courts from 5.30pm until 8.30pm today to trial for their 12-18 years Cairns Pythons representative teams. The Queensland state netball league Marlin Coast Marlins will also be training at that time.
Premiers’ good news
AFL: REIGNING premiers Port Douglas’s push for Good Friday football has finally been rewarded, with the club to make history when they host South Cairns on March 30 this year. The round one clash at their own Port Douglas Sporting Complex will start with the reserves at noon followed by the seniors at 2pm, with the club nominating the Mossman Hospital as beneficiary. Port Douglas president Chris Bradsworth said the afternoon timeslot was chosen to avoid any conflict with major Good Friday services on the day and to give locals and visitors an opportunity to create history by witnessing the very first Good Friday AFL game in their own backyard.
Courses on offer
League: NRL and QRL officials will be holding rugby league education courses this weekend at Jones Park covering accreditation, information and support for team staff and club administrators. Saturday’s schedule includes a mod-league coaching course, sports trainer Level 1 course and tribunal board members’ update. Sunday’s schedule includes an international games coaching course, sports trainer Level 1 course and a QRL administration update. Northern Division manager Scott Nosworthy will host the admin session from 10am-3pm. Those interested in the trainer and coaching courses should email aanderson@nrl.com.au.
Family first for Benji
League: Benji Marshall will not make the trip to Cairns next week for the West Tigers’ trial match against the Cowboys. The five-eighth will remain in Sydney alongside wife Zoe ahead of the birth of their first child. Tigers coach Ivan Cleary has promised a strong squad for the February 17 match at Barlow Park but is taking no risks with injuries. “Anyone who can and it’s not really a risk in their preparation will play. I’m not about putting people in cotton wool but I’m not going to risk them either,” he said.