Townsville Bulletin

BATTLE LINES DRAWN FOR CARNIVAL

- NICK WRIGHT

REMI Bishop is determined to emulate her North Queensland idol, and an upcoming schools carnival will present the chance for her to showcase her future credential­s.

The Southern Cross Catholic College student will lead her school in the third Mental Health Week 9s Carnival on Friday in what will be the first time a girls division has been included,

The teen sensation said watching the likes of Romy Teitzel with the

Gold Stars had her dreaming of an NRLW career.

While she has played the game for only one year, Bishop said she was humbled to be named captain at the

carnival, where she has the chance to prove she can reach the big stage.

“I think I’m a quieter person in general, but on the field I seem to talk a lot more,” she said. “I just try to get the girls motivated as best as I can.

“I look up to a lot of the girls in the Gold Stars team. We trained with them a bit at the Blackhawks and the girls are so lovely and they have so much passion for it. I love them all.

“The girls have come a long way. Everyone was new to it at the start and we had girls coming from netball and touch. They just fell in love with it, too.

“I think a lot of the girls on our team do (have NRLW ambitions). It’s something to have hopes and dreams for, I guess.”

Proceeds from the carnival will go towards local mental health charities, and it aims to encourage young athletes to speak up when it comes to their psychologi­cal wellbeing.

Teams will come from far and wide. There are three outfits from Charters Towers, and another from Mount Isa, taking part in the carnival at Townsville Sport Reserve.

It has Ryan Catholic College forward Samuel Hanson eager to challenge himself against hard and fast country rugby league, while spreading an important health message.

Carnival organiser and Southern Cross teacher and coach, Annan Whittingto­n, said sport had the potential to inspire what could be

extremely tough conversati­ons for young people to have.

“School sport is a wonderful engagement tool as students are making positive connection­s with teammates and students from all over North Queensland,” Whittingto­n said.

“I believe we can utilise sport and an active and healthy lifestyle to drive change and promote wellbeing and speaking up among our younger generation­s throughout the entire region.

“As someone who has struggled, has friends and family who have struggled or are currently struggling and lost mates, I hope this carnival continues to be a positive influence on young men and women well into the future.”

 ?? ?? Remi Bishop, Brianna Cassady (front), Ed Bryant and Samuel Hanson (back) will take on the Townsville rugby league 9s mental health carnival.
Remi Bishop, Brianna Cassady (front), Ed Bryant and Samuel Hanson (back) will take on the Townsville rugby league 9s mental health carnival.

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