LET’S SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR GREAT COWBOYS

There will be a few people around town surprised to see that the North Queensland Cowboys turned a profit last year. 2020 was probably the worst year on record for the NRL with the COVID-19 pandemic throwing the game into turmoil.

But through good management, a loyal Townsville fan base and government help, the Cowboys have come out on top, ready for 2021.

Yesterday, at the Cowboys season launch, newly minted board chairman Lewis Ramsay spoke of the year and the hard work put in by everyone to survive 2020.

He thanked the many businesses and members that pledged dollars and support early on in the pandemic.

At that time, many in the club were worried that the Cowboys might not survive the crisis.

As it happens, they have and are stronger now than probably at any other point in their short history.

But, as Mr Ramsay explained, the nation and the NRL still aren’t out of the woods. Recent lockdowns in Melbourne and Sydney show just how vulnerable business and the game are to the virus.

One thing that did strike a chord with the crowd at the launch was Mr Ramsay’s call to arms for Cowboys fans across North Queensland.

He said the club was not asking for donations anymore but he was asking for fans to come to the game.

He wanted people to “nudge their neighbour over the back fence, shame the brother-in-law who proudly proclaims he watches the footy on Fox because the beers are cheaper” and come to home games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

He then cited NFL team the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay has a population of just 100,000 people but packs out a 70,000-seat stadium week in and week out.

It has a working-class fan base, just like Townsville, and is a communityowned team.

Mr Ramsay’s wish was one that would set the Cowboys up for greatness and that was for the city to get behind the team, like Green Bay does, and pack out Queensland Country Bank Stadium every home game.