HONOUR TO PLAY FOR BILL
THE North Queensland Army’s 3rd Brigade and Palm Island Skipjacks rugby league teams will face off today for the annual Bill Coolburra Memorial Shield.
The match will be part of the Cowboys’ Anzac Tribute round at 1300SMILES Stadium.
Palm Island Skipjacks captain Frederick Bulsey said it was an honour to play in Mr Coolburra’s name.
“Always feel good to represent Uncle Bill. I was pretty close to him, when I first started playing football for the Skipjacks on Palm as a young fella,” he said.
“I’ve known him for a good while now. When this game started he was alive. He’s not with us today, but he’s still there looking over us.
“I always tell them ( new players) how much it means to me, and how much it should mean to them when they put their jerseys on to play against army and represent Uncle Bill.”
Warrant Officer Class One Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment Damien Woolfe said he met Bill Coolburra many years ago, having served in the same unit.
“It’s fantastic the regiment has maintained the link with someone who has played a key role in the community as well as the army,” he said.
Private Phillip Paschalidis is captain of the 3rd Brigade rugby league team and said the match was about paying respects to servicemen and women.
“It’s always very important to honour everyone from the past, present and future,” he said.
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