Lightning concept has Pride of place

ROWAN SPARKES

THE Northern Pride will not entertain the possibility of playing games against Intrust Super Cup rivals Townsville Blackhawks and Mackay Cutters this year.

The Pride’s North Queensland counterparts have been in talks with each other to discuss ways to get their teams back on the field this year. The aim is to play against each other from the middle of next month.

Blackhawks football operations manager Adrian Thomson said the club would reach out to the Pride early this week to give them the option of participating.

However, Pride chairman Tony Williamson said the club already had plans in place for a return to the field as early as next month, and was committed to following through on those plans.

“The Pride is all about doing the best thing for rugby league in Far North Queensland — nothing short of that,” he said.

“The Intrust Super Cup competition was cancelled in March, effective immediately, so there’s no talk about the Pride playing against the Blackhawks or the Cutters because that competition has been closed down, cancelled, kaput.”

The Pride were announced last week as one of three Far North clubs that would compete in a one-off rugby league series from next month.

A joint effort between the CDRL and the Northern Pride, the Lightning Challenge will kick off on August 8 and comprise six rounds of doubleheaders.

The Pride will enter two sides in the four-team competition, while CDRL clubs Brothers Cairns and Tully Tigers will field a side each.

“The opportunity came up, and I thank CDRL chairman Colin Moore and secretary Pat Bailey for coming to us and asking us if we’d be interested in taking part,” he said.

“For the people that love rugby league, I think they will be some of the best games of football we’ve seen in a long time at that level.

“We’re really excited about getting footballers back on the park. It gives our coaches a chance to look at our players, who will be able to get some match fitness.

Williamson said Pride players would be given the option of playing in the Lightning Challenge.

“It’s totally optional if they want to play or not, because they won’t be paid and they won’t be renumerated for it,” he said.

“At the end of the day, they are contracted to the Pride to play in the Intrust Super Cup.”

An ambitious plan to relaunch a regional version of the Intrust Super Cup was first floated in April, shortly after the state competition was cancelled.

At the time, Williamson said while it wasn’t a bad idea, there was no way the Pride would be able to play.

“If we are fortunate enough to have the COVID-19 restrictions lifted this year, the Pride have committed the players to the CDRL,” Williamson said.

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