YOUNG EMUS FLY
Representative players steer Qld Murri side to win
RUGBY LEAGUE: Toowoomba and the South West continues to flex its rugby league muscle.
Nine players from the region, all South West Queensland Emus representatives, featured in the under-16 Queensland Murri side which defeated New South Wales Koori 36-26 at the weekend.
Trailing 14-12 at halftime, Qld showed great spirit clawing their way into the lead before holding off a fast finishing NSW outfit.
Roma’s Coby Fechner was named Players’ Player after the match.
Murri manager and Emus president Gary Halliday said the results “on and off the park” had been excellent for the young Emus players.
“The aim is to promote the Emus as a representative team to these young men,” Halliday said.
“Our training is as professional as possible. We organise training and development camps, and act as mentors for them in all areas of their life.
“The goal is to give them the opportunity and confidence to represent themselves and their culture with pride.”
Halliday said the Emus’ strong representation in the Murri side was a great result for the program.
“The Emus concept has only been operating for about 12 months now,” he said.
“It’s all about providing pathways and opportunities for the players. A lot of them, particularly the ones way out west, might only get to play half a dozen games a year sometimes.
“We want to give them the chance to play the game they love and learn they can achieve anything.
“Already the support from the players and the community has been fantastic.”