TYREICE NOW A COWBOY

THE Aaron Payne Cup may be just four weeks old, but it has already led to the signing of one exciting Kirwan State High School player by the North Queensland Cowboys.

Kirwan’s Tyreice BairaGela, 17, has been signed by the Cowboys on the back of his impressive form during the early rounds of this year’s Cup.

The talented rake is the cousin of former Cowboys flyer and Kirwan high alumni Gideon G e l a - M o s b y , who captured the nation’s attention with a number of electric performances between 2017 and 2019.

Baira-gela ( pictured) is no overnight sensation, having made junior representative teams including the Queensland Murri squad, and he was part of Kirwan’s team that won last year’s NRL Schoolboys Cup.

But his form in this year’s shortened Aaron Payne Cup has proven crucial in his ability to secure the Cowboys’ deal.

“I was very excited when they (the Cowboys) approached me, I always supported the Cowboys and so do my mum and dad,” Baira-gela said. “All the boys around me have got me here. My cousin also played for the Cowboys and it’s good to follow in his footsteps.”

A host of Aaron Payne Cup players have gone on to NRL stardom, including Jason Taumalolo (Kirwan), Valentine Holmes (Ignatius Park College) and Enari Tuala (Kirwan).

Baira-gela’s contract doesn’t assure him of an NRL future, but it is an important foot in the door.

Baira-gela credits Kirwan High head of sport Dave Ackers, Bears coach Todd Wilson and team strength and conditioning coach Aaron Halliday for putting him on the right track.

“They’ve done so much for me and got me in the right place to be successful with my footy,” he said.

Ackers said every player in this year’s Aaron Payne Cup could take confidence from BairaGela’s success.

“Players are being looked at and signed when they play in the Aaron Payne Cup,” he said.

“It makes players train and play at a higher level, and the exposure is second to none.

“Tyreice joins a long list of Aaron Payne Cup players who have been signed by NRL clubs.” >>Kirwan play Ignatius Park College on Wednesday, August 26, in a Townsville schoolboys blockbuster, and the clash will be live streamed at townsvillebulletin.com.au