Rugby League Coaching Manuals

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, PCYC Cloncurry and BHP Billiton Cannington are joining forces to launch the 2009 Footy Families Program in Cloncurry on Thursday 5 February.

Cowboys Aaron Payne and Scott Bolton will be on hand as PCYC introduces the initiative to the local community, which will see young people and their families invited to watch Cowboys and other NRL games on a big screen at PCYC each week during the 2009 NRL Telstra Premiership.

The focus of the program is on positive family participation, and it aims to provide a safe and fun place for local youth to go, in the company of a family member, and enjoy quality time together.

With the support of the Cowboys and community partner BHP Billiton Cannington, Footy Families club members will be eligible for great Cowboys prizes each week, with a major prize draw of a free trip to a Cowboys home game at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

The program is the initiative of PCYC Cloncurry coordinator Mick Hughes, who hopes it will counter some of the negative impacts that alcohol, smoking and domestic issues have on local young people.

“Our charter is to improve our community through youth development, and we’re the only charity that operates in Cloncurry delivering youth-related services on a daily basis,” Hughes says.

“I believe this program has the potential to tackle many of the challenges faced by our town, by building stronger family relationships and providing safe social interaction.”

Attendees at tomorrow’s launch include Cloncurry Deputy Mayor Greg Campbell, students and teachers from Cloncurry State School and St Joseph’s School, and BHP Billiton Cannington’s Community Relations Senior Advisor Ruth Kaurila.

Cannington’s Asset Leader Shane Hansen says that support for the Footy Families Club is one element of Cannington’s new partnership with the Toyota Cowboys, jointly supporting community programs in North Queensland.  

“The impact the Cowboys have in the community, with support from Cannington, means community projects like Footy Families can have enormously positive effects in the Cloncurry area.” 

For the Cowboys and Community Relations Manager Fiona Pelling, teaming with PCYC Cloncurry to improve the well-being of local youth through rugby league is a natural partnership.

“The Cloncurry community is an important part of the Cowboys’ family and we’re committed to helping PCYC to make Footy Families a success,” Pelling says.

“We’re delighted that watching Cowboys games this season will be an event for local rugby league fans and we’re extremely grateful for BHP Billiton Cannington’s support in making this a possibility.”