Train alongside the Cowboys on Castle Hill!

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys will hold an open training session with a very big difference on Friday 23 November.

Not only will Cowboys members and fans be able to watch their team in action at the end of their first official week of pre-season training, they’ll be able to join in the early morning fitness session on Townsville’s famous Castle Hill.

The Cowboys have issued an open invitation to run, jog or walk alongside the 2013 NRL squad as they take on the hill – one of their annual pre-season challenges.

The session will be the first chance for North Queensland members and supporters to meet the newest Cowboys – Rory Kostjasyn, Scott Moore, Clint Greenshields and Curtis Rona.

To train with the Cowboys for the morning, meet up with the squad in the Queens Park car park at Paxton Street, near the touch football clubhouse, at 6.45am. The training session will kick off at 7am.

Everyone who takes part will also be able to support the Cowboys Community Fund by purchasing one of the limited edition Castle Hill Walkers shirts that will be on sale at the start and at the summit.

Predominantly white in colour, the shirts cost $25 and are available in ladies sizes 8-16 and men’s sizes XS to XXXL.

“I’m sure all the boys will enjoy having the extra support alongside them,” second-rower Gavin Cooper said.

“It’s going to be the end of our first week and there’ll probably be a few of us feeling a bit tired and looking for a boost.

“Everyone who comes along can do the hill at their own pace and enjoy watching us sweat.

“Hopefully we’ll get a good turnout and everyone remembers to bring some money along with them to help out the Community Fund which is an important part of the Cowboys.”

The Castle Hill Walkers shirts are also on sale at the Stockland Townsville customer care desk, the Cowboys Leagues Club team shop, the Toyota Cowboys offices at Dairy Farmers Stadium, Southern Cross 4TO reception at the Lakes and online at www.cowboys.com.au.

Supported by Coca-Cola Amatil, the Cowboys Community Fund is in its eighth year and fosters community support and spirit in North Queensland.

Since its inception, the fund has granted in excess of $160,000 to worthy North Queensland applicants, including disadvantaged and disabled youth.

Applicants must live or be based in the Cowboys’ talent recruitment geographical catchment area of North Queensland, from Torres Strait in the north, west to Mt Isa and south to Mackay.

The next round of applications close on 31 December and more details are available at www.cowboys.com.au/community-fund-program

Main image: Gavin Cooper with Wayne Nicholson, Cowboys Community Fund chairman