The Cairns Post

Cyclones enjoy hitout ahead of home Games

- ROWAN SPARKES rowan.sparkes@news.com.au

THE FNQ Cyclones Rugby League Masters have enjoyed a good hitout at the 2019 Runaway Bay Masters Carnival on the Gold Coast.

The team relished the opportunit­y to have some footy fun in a semi-competitiv­e environmen­t ahead of the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games in May.

While there weren’t too many runaway tries at Runaway Bay, FNQ Masters secretary Rob McDougall said there were still plenty of highlights.

One in particular was the touching moment Shawn Gamble was given the chance to score his first rugby league try in his wheelchair.

“(Shawn’s) a friend of one of our players – he’s been best mates with him all his life,” said McDougall. “We gave him a jersey to put on, gave him the ball and ran him down the sideline so he could score a try.

“The other side was more than happy to be involved – they were diving around him and all that. He was ecstatic.”

The Cyclones also paid tribute to past team member Darren Hunt by having his name on the team shirts.

The 2019 carnival was the biggest ever, featuring 108 teams and more than 2000 registered players.

“We played well and had a wonderful time,” said McDougall.

FNQ Masters will host the Great Barrier Reef Games at Jones Park, with rugby league games to be played on Saturday, May 25.

Over 35-year-old players can register online at www.gbrmg.com.au/register.

Early bird registrati­ons close on March 31.

Registrati­on costs $68 and includes accreditat­ion to the games, exclusive entry into the nightly social hub and entertainm­ent program, souvenir booklet, games backpack and cap, exclusive dining offers, newsletter and participat­ion medals.

If you’re interested in playing rugby league masters, contact McDougall on 0407 740 003.

 ?? Picture: SUPPLIED ?? TRY TIME: Shawn Gamble, with FNQ Cyclones’ Jamie Clarke, scores a try.
Picture: SUPPLIED TRY TIME: Shawn Gamble, with FNQ Cyclones’ Jamie Clarke, scores a try.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia