New North Queensland Toyota Cowboys community engagement officer Matthew Bowen has paid a visit to Kirwan State School to congratulate and encourage a new generation of leaders.
A Cowboys life member and the club's games record-holder, Bowen took part in a special parade that saw the 2016 school captains, vice-captains, sport house captains, music captains, student councillors and junior school helpmates receive their school leadership badges and contracts.
“Our students were excited to see Matty,” acting principal John Kratzmann said of the visit.
“He presented the sports leader badges and stayed behind for photographs and to talk to our students and parents.
"Our school and community is very fortunate to have this level of community support from the North Queensland Cowboys.
“We appreciate the skills needed for effective leadership and hope that our student leaders can learn from and model their leadership styles on leaders in the community like Matty.”
Speaking after the event, Bowen said: “Today is a great example of what I want to achieve in my new community engagement officer role with the club.”
"I want to be able to use my profile and the Cowboys profile across the North to motivate and encourage kids to be the best that they can be.
"I want to help as many kids as I can find what they're good at and are passionate about and help motivate them to put in the effort and go for it.”
Above: Kirwan school captains – Ella Shepherd, Chinsia Burns, Trae Chong, Jett Newman, with Matthew Bowen
Below: Shannon Carter, Matthew Bowen, Ben Wilson, Tony Woodhouse, Trish McEvoy, John Kratzmann
