www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Rugby league legend Ty Williams calls it a day by NRL 14 September 2013
N
orthern Pride stalwart and former NRL star Ty Williams has decided to hang up his Intrust Super Cup boots after a glittering career in rugby league. The 32-year-old former North Queensland Cowboys hero, who played in the Cowboys’ only ever NRL Grand Final in 2005, will say farewell to Pride fans at the end of the 2013 Intrust Super Cup season. The Innisfail product, who has played 77 games for the Pride and scored 31 tries, said he hoped to win his first ever Grand Final in his last year of playing. “I really want to win a premiership with the Northern Pride before I bow out,” the former Queensland Maroons star said. “I missed out in 2010 when we won our only ever Grand Final, and I was a little unsure about whether to play again in 2013, especially with another knee injury to recover from. “But JD (Pride coach Jason Demetriou) convinced me to give it another crack, and I really feel we can win it this year.” Williams says he has no regrets over his glittering career, in which he scored 85 tries in 151 games for the Cowboys and is the Townsvillebased NRL club’s second highest try scorer of all time, only behind fullback Matt Bowen. “I’m lucky enough to have had a fantastic career in rugby league, playing in an NRL Grand Final, fulfilling my dream of playing for Queensland, and making many lifetime friends along the way,” he said.
“But I’m not getting any younger, and with a young family to consider, I think now’s the right time to stop playing in the state comp. “I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me over my career, and everyone at the Pride for their support over the past few years, especially the coaching staff,
players and fans. “I was tempted to go around again for the Pride next year, but although it’s been a tough decision to make, I know it’s the right one.” Williams, who also played three games and scored one try for Queensland in the 2005 State of Origin series, will hope to play in the 2013 Intrust Super Cup Grand Page 1
www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Final, with Pride just one win away from the showpiece event. Demetriou said Williams had been invaluable to the Pride since he returned to far north Queensland to join the Barlow Park club for the 2011 season. “Ty’s a dedicated professionalism that inspires his team mates,” said Demetriou. “His experience shines through every time he takes the field, and he commands respect from his team mates and the opposition through his commitment and his desire to compete in all the little areas of the game. “He’s a home town boy who reached the heights of many kids’ dreams in the area, and then came back to help strengthen the game in his local area and inspire others to believe they too can achieve what he has if they are willing to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices. “As a group, we want to respect Ty’s legacy and would love to send him out as a premiership winner.” Pride Chief Executive Officer Brock Schaefer said Williams has been the perfect role model for other players at the Northern Pride, TY WILLIAMS FACTFILE Position: Centre Nicknames: Tybow Date of birth: 27 November 1980 Height: 173cm Weight: 93kg Pride games: 77 Pride tries: 31 (fourth on all time Pride try scorer list) Previous teams: North Queensland Cowboys (151 games, 85 tries), Queensland Maroons (3 games, 1 try), Indigenous All Stars (1 game, no tries)
Page 2
and deserved to finish his career with a premiership. “Ty is an absolute inspiration to the rest of the boys, and will go down as a North Queensland rugby league legend,” said Schaefer. “His legacy extends far beyond the rugby league field and his amazing exploits for the Cowboys, Maroons and Northern Pride. “Ty Williams has been a much valued staff member of the Northern Pride’s community development organisation the Take Pride Program. “He has clocked up countless kilometres on the road delivering rugby league and capacity-building initiatives across our region. “There are school kids from Thursday Island to Mount Isa who have benefitted from Ty’s commitment to giving back to the community. “This guy is an example for young athletes from all sports about the importance of remaining grounded, humble, and committed to your community. “I watched Ty play as a young fella in the stands and have had the privilege of working with him over
the past two years, and I wish him all the best. I’m sure his family will love getting a bit more time with him.” Williams sits fourth on Pride’s all-time Pride try scorer’s list, behind centre Brett Anderson (54 tries), and Rod Jensen and Hezron Murgha (both 36 tries). He also still holds the Cairns District Rugby League try-scoring record after crossing for 42 tries in a season as a centre for Innisfail Leprechauns in 2001. A keen golfer, Williams will now return to his home town to work as Development Officer at the Leprechauns, and continue in rugby league as captain-coach for Innisfail in the CDRL A Grade competition next year. “I’m an Innisfail boy, born and bred, and proud of where I’m from, and it’s going to be a special moment to wear the Leprechauns jersey once again,” he said. “I really want to give back to the community which made it possible for me to fulfil my dreams, and to finish my career where it all started is fantastic.”
www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Page 3