Spina proud to see footy kids having a blast
EVEN after 24 years, Laurie Spina still gets chills at this time of year.
The inaugural North Queensland Cowboys skipper watched on as hundreds of aspiring footy stars from across North Queensland passed through the gates at Brothers rugby league.
After a 2020 cruelled by the coronavirus pandemic, the Laurie Spina Shield was finally back.
About 70 teams from regions including the Torres Strait, Mount Isa, Weipa, Yeppoon and Spina’s own Herbert River took to the fields on Friday and Saturday in a celebration of the same love affair with the game they all share.
Spina said it was forever a humbling experience witnessing his name honoured by the sport in which he made his name.
Based on the talent he saw, he said there certainly could be “a few more Matty Bowen’s or Hamiso Tabuai-fidow’s out there”.
“We started as a small thing with 18 or 20 teams and saw it grow with popularity. Kids really enjoyed coming from different areas playing against other kids,” Spina said.
“To see people from far away come for a competition like that, it’s certainly a big honour.
“It’s been going for 24 years and it’s as good as ever. I love chatting to the families that come from out west and bus for 10 hours to get there.
“A couple of weeks ago when Townsville was in lockdown we couldn’t have had it so we were fortunate.
“Missing out last year, even though they couldn’t meet the NRL players with the bubble, it was a very positive experience and fortunate in the changing world we’re in.”