September 13, 2023
Cherbourg’s Jack O’Chin Oval hosted a special visit on Tuesday by the NRL Telstra Footy Country Tour … and rugby league’s two most important trophies.
NRL legend and former Maroon Petero Civoniceva happily posed with visitors alongside the Provan-Summons trophy (for the NRL men’s competition) and the much newer NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership trophy.
He was accompanied by five NRL Development staff, who conducted mini-coaching sessions for the kids, plus Telstra representatives.
The group dropped into Cherbourg State School before heading on down to the oval to meet more local residents and show off the famous trophies.
“We’ve seen so many wonderful examples of NRL stars coming from little communities like here in Cherbourg,” Petero said.
“Selwyn Cobbo comes from this community and to see what he’s done is inspirational to boys and girls in these communities, so that’s why this tour is so important.”
Cherbourg State School’s Frank Malone, a former Hornets’ coach and part of the town’s Rugby League “Team Of The Century”, also praised the visit.
“It’s an experience they will treasure forever… to see the NRL trophies of men and women come to the community and for them to participate in activities that Telstra and the NRL have organised, it means a lot to them and they gain a lot from doing that,” Frank said.
The trophies came to Cherbourg after visits to Aurukun, Mackay and Rockhampton.
They will be in Toowoomba on Thursday before heading to Victoria and then back to Sydney for the NRL Grand Final.
