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Footy fever in Innisfail as Pride prepare for Tweed clash Story and image supplied by Gavin Broomhead It’s footy fever in Innisfail this week to mark Northern Pride’s historic Round 4 Intrust Super Cup clash against Tweed Heads Seagulls at Callendar Park this Saturday, kick-off 7pm. The Pride squad will be in Innisfail from Friday undertaking various activities with the local community to mark the special occasion, which will see Pride play an Intrust Super Cup game for the first time in the town. Pride Chief Executive Officer Chris Sheppard said the game, which was made possible by the support of Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Australian Bananas, was fantastic news for rugby league fans in Innisfail and beyond. “There are few places as fanatical about their rugby league as the Cassowary Coast, and Innisfail in particular,” he said. “We are thrilled to be able to offer the region a game of this magnitude and, given the rivalry between ourselves and Tweed Heads Seagulls, the fans will witness a firecracker of a game. “We can’t thank the local council
and Australian Bananas enough for their help in making this happen.” Northern Pride captain and Innisfail product Ty Williams can’t wait to take on the Seagulls in front of his home crowd, along with fellow Cassowary Coast products Brett Anderson, Ryan Ghietti and Shaun Nona. “There is no place like home and Innisfail loves rugby league – it is a great coup for the region,” the former North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland Maroons star said. “We have an enduring rivalry with the Seagulls and I’m excited by the prospect of taking them on in front of a die-hard Innisfail crowd.” This will be the third time that the Northern Pride have taken a state league game outside the Cairns region, and follows the successful hosting of these games in Bamaga (2011) and Mount Isa (2012). Innisfail Leprechauns will host the Edmonton Storm in the Cairns District Rugby League as a curtain-raiser to the big game. “This will also help make it a huge night for the town and for our great game, and we’re expecting a massive crowd at Billy Slater Oval,” said Sheppard. Pride will be at Callendar Park on Friday from 4.30pm to run activities, and then will train before heading
Clinic dates, times and locations: Wednesday 3 April • Cardwell Park – 9am–10.30am • Babinda Showgrounds – 1.30pm–3pm Thursday 4 April • Tully Showgrounds – 9am– 10.30am • South Mission Beach (opp Van Park) – 1.30pm–3pm Friday 5 April • Jack Fossey Park, Innisfail – 9am–10.30pm, and 1.30pm– 3pm to Innisfail Brothers Leagues Club for a special Evening With The Pride footy function, which will include: • Special guests – former NRL stars Aaron Payne and Shaun Timmins • Finger food, beer and wine • Lucky door prize • Pride jersey auction • Pride Calcutta • Meet the Pride players Tickets are just $30 and can be purchased from Brothers Leagues Club or the Northern Pride – 4046 0500. Callendar Park is the place to be on game day on Saturday. Starting at 1pm, the PCYC
Pride’s Cassowary Coast players – (left to right), Brett Anderson, Ty Williams, Ryan Ghietti and Shaun Nona.
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