May 13, 2026

Young Roosters Take Centre Stage at Country Bank Stadium

Running out onto the big stage under the stadium lights, the Roosters proudly represented the Burdekin community, soaking in every moment. Photos supplied

The future of rugby league was on full display on Saturday night as the Burdekin Roosters Under 9s took to the field at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for a once-in-a-lifetime curtain raiser experience ahead of the North Queensland Cowboys NRL clash.

The exciting opportunity was made possible through the North Queensland Cowboys Community program, which gives junior rugby league players from across the region the chance to experience the thrill of playing on the same field as their NRL heroes.

Running out onto the big stage under the stadium lights, the Roosters proudly represented the Burdekin community, soaking in every moment as family, friends and fans watched on before the main game.

The future of rugby league was on full display on Saturday night as the Burdekin Roosters Under 9s took to the field at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for a once-in-a-lifetime curtain raiser experience ahead of the North Queensland Cowboys NRL clash.

“Watching the kids run out onto a field like this was pretty special,” said Under 9 coach Kerrod Bevilacqua.

“For a lot of them, it’s their first time experiencing something on this scale and you could see the excitement written all over their faces. Opportunities like this are rare for country clubs and to play where their Cowboys heroes run out is something they’ll be talking about for a long time.”

The club thanked the Cowboys Community team for continuing to support grassroots rugby league and providing unforgettable experiences for young players across North Queensland.

Contributed with thanks to BJRL