Thousands of Cowboys fans packed Riverway on the weekend to welcome the new season and meet the new breed of Cowboys who will carry the hopes of North Queensland on their shoulders in 2010.

Deck chairs and cold drinks were the go as visitors enjoyed the entertainment on stage, while the kids tried their luck in pass the ball, sampled the giveaways and cooled off in the lagoon on a hot, humid North Queensland afternoon.

A group of the Cowboys Adopt-a-School students had one of the most important tasks of the day – presenting their adopted Cowboys with their 2010 playing jerseys on stage.

While latest recruit Willie Mason wasn’t spotted in the crowd, fans lined up for autographs from the new players – Shannon Gallant, Leeson Ah Mau, Isaac Ah Mau and Will Tupou – plus all their favourites, with long queues to see JT, Matty Bowen and Luke O’Donnell.

Cowboys sponsors including Townsville Bulletin, Toyota, Dairy Farmers, Coca Cola, Stockland, QCCU, Harcourts and Fantasea had giveaways galore, while Walters IGA saw plenty of activity with the 'Pass the Ball' competition.

There were plenty of opportunities to go home a winner, with the Cowboys Leagues Club and Cowboys Supporters Team running competitions on the day, plus the Membership Team were kept busy signing on new members as fans embraced the offer to ride under the Cowboys Star!

A big thank you from the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys to all the fans, sponsors and partners for a fantastic start to 2010!