{"id":250095,"date":"2019-12-13T19:41:11","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T09:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=250095"},"modified":"2020-07-13T17:46:37","modified_gmt":"2020-07-13T07:46:37","slug":"another-legendary-weekend-coming-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/12\/13\/another-legendary-weekend-coming-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Another Legendary Weekend Coming Up"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cherbourg councillor Tom Langton, who played in February’s Legends Of League game, with former State Of Origin great Craig Teevan … Tom hopes the festival of league will help raise spirits in Cherbourg (Photo: Cherbourg Radio)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December 13, 2019<\/b><\/p>\n

There’s going to be a huge weekend of rugby league coming up in February with Cherbourg hosting its first two-day carnival since 1988 and former NRL greats returning to show off their skills.<\/p>\n

The League Carnival was officially launched at Jack O’Chin Oval in Cherbourg this week.<\/p>\n

It will be played on February 7-8 with 12 men’s and six women’s teams.<\/p>\n

Each team will play three games: two on Friday and one on Saturday.<\/p>\n

If 18 teams nominate, there’ll be $10,000 in prize money for the team that wins the Open Men’s competition, and $6000 for the winner of the women’s competition.<\/p>\n

The finals of the two competitions will be played before the International Legends of League – who were such a big hit in the community last February – take to the field to prove they’ve still got what it takes against the Cherbourg Legends.<\/p>\n

The carnival is being organised by Cherbourg Council and sponsored by Sellwood Constructions, Total Building Solutions, CRAICCHS and the Cherbourg Hornets.<\/p>\n

Jason Holznagel, from Total Building Solutions, said it meant a great deal for him to be involved in the community.<\/p>\n

But he won’t be running on with the Legends …<\/p>\n

“My legs won’t take it any more,” he joked.<\/p>\n

Cherbourg Mayor Arnold Murray said was good to have the Legends of League players coming back.<\/b><\/p>\n

“The community is starting to get a buzz. They’ll be ready come February 7-8,” he said.<\/p>\n

Mayor Murray said the “Murris On Bikes”, who made such a big impression at the last event when they ferried the players on to the field, were also looking at coming back.<\/p>\n

“It’s going to be good. Having things like this for the community … that’s what it’s all about, bringing the community together,” Mayor Murray said.<\/p>\n

Former Maroon Craig Teevan said he had been working with the Legends of League for the past five years.<\/p>\n

He said the event in Cherbourg earlier this year was one of the best that they’d had.<\/p>\n

“The guys from the community were real keen for us to come back and have another run,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Certainly for a community of this size, to be able to get the support to bring the game back is a credit to the community.”<\/p>\n

Craig said the 2020 event would be a “Festival of League”.<\/p>\n

“Rather than just being a stand-alone event on the Saturday, it’s going to be two days of rugby league and some good footy played,” he said.<\/b><\/p>\n

“It should be great for the town.”<\/p>\n

The Legends will also be visiting local schools to inspire young rugby league players during their visit.<\/p>\n

Cherbourg councillor Tom Langton – who pulled the footy boots back on for the last event – said the carnival would help lift the spirits of the town.<\/p>\n

There’ll be some familiar faces among the Legends returning.<\/p>\n

John Hopoate (who gave the crowd “the finger” last time, to great applause) will be coming back along with Cliff Lyons.<\/p>\n

But there will also be about six new players from last year.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Cherbourg Radio, International Legends of League organiser Troy Byers said team registrations for the carnival were still being taken.<\/p>\n

“We want teams from outside the community to come to Cherbourg,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Cherbourg always goes to every other carnival and spends money. Let’s do the opposite and bring them back here.”<\/p>\n

The teams for the Australian and Cherbourg Legends games will be announced soon.<\/p>\n

“It’s going to be a great couple of days for Cherbourg,” Troy said.<\/p>\n