Sport Northern Pride

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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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National Youth Week activities will include live bands, a mechanical bull, jumping castle, free photo booth, a big screen and lots more. From 2pm, Innisfail take on Edmonton in three CDRL grades before the Pride and Seagulls face each other in the Intrust Super Cup. Pride fans can register their interest to catch a bus to the game with the Pride – cost will be $20 return, with entry to the game just $2 for children, $5 for concession and $10 for adults. Northern Pride will also have a membership and merchandise stall at Callendar Park this Saturday, with the club already almost halfway to their 2013 membership target of 3,000. Sheppard said this year’s membership packages were incredible value, and urged fans to pledge their support for the Pride by becoming a Member from just

$20, including just $40 for adults. “Not only will you show your support for the club, but you also get an incredible pack of goodies, including a Pride T-shirt and cooler bag. “With our new online shop (www.morethanpride.com.au), we’ve now made it even easier to become a Member,” he said. Sporting children throughout the Cassowary Coast region are also invited to attend Northern Pride and the Take Pride Program’s series of fun rugby league clinics this week as another part of footy fever week in Innisfail. The clinics – taking place in Cardwell, Babinda, Tully, Mission Beach and Innisfail – will include a fun-based approach for junior rugby league lovers, with soft skill development in a fun atmosphere, utilising games. The Pride trailer

will also be on hand with the ever popular TV and Xbox. Take Pride Progam Manager Chey Bird said the cost of this week’s clinics is $20 per child, and for that they will receive a Pride membership, including a pack containing exclusive Northern Pride merchandise: • Pride draw string bag • Pride T-shirt • Pride wrist band • Pride magnet • Pride lanyard and membership card • Pride membership sticker • Pride team poster. Membership packs will also be available for purchase at the venue. Interested children can register on the day. Existing Pride members can attend the clinic for FREE.

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