Foley Shield a clear goal for revamped CDRL

WINNING and bringing the prestigious Foley Shield back to Cairns for the first time in years will be a priority in 2022.

“We’re not going down there to play and lose,” said FNQRL chairman Rob White. “We want to win the thing.” Cairns has been soundly beaten in the North Queensland tri-series, which includes Townsville and Mackay, with southern rivals dominating the men’s and women’s competitions in recent years.

So much so that FNQ Rugby League, who took over the running of Cairns District Rugby League at the end of last year, has sought buy-in from all CDRL clubs and will begin the search for dedicated coaches next week.

White said there was no limitation on where the Foley Shield coaches may come from, but made it clear he and the board wanted the best available leaders to apply, meaning they can be current CDRL team coaches but it is not a necessity.

“We see it as the pinnacle of our competition regaining its reputation,” White said.

“Cairns has an incredible history of rugby league, and we want to represent that history. And we want the players to proud of the area and want to play for Cairns. We are open to anybody; we want the best available.”

Meetings between the FNQRL board and CDRL presidents have been encouraging, with clubs set to back their players to put up their hands for representative duty so Cairns can take the strongest possible team away.

And if the very best players are available and do represent Cairns, there is no doubt in White’s mind that Cairns can be the team who not only faces the winner of Central Queensland’s 47th Battalion carnival, but progresses to the state championship final against the best from the south east.

FNQRL will advertise for head coaches for the men’s and women’s representative teams, and any assistants or further staff will be at the discretion of the coach and FNQRL.

It is envisaged that a squad will be selected about a month before the Foley Shield, which is scheduled for the April 30May 1 long weekend, which will enable the team to train together in the lead-up.

Meanwhile, the CDRL season will kick-off on the weekend of March 26-27. Yarrabah will face the Pride in a curtainraiser to the Souths-Cowboys NRL trial at Barlow Park next Saturday. Tickets are available at www.123tix.com.au.