Zenadth Kes Junior Rugby League Club in the Torres Strait Islands (Thursday Island) have taken part in what will be a lifelong memory.
George Nona (president) and his wife Emily Nona, took the first team of Under 11s players from Thursday Island to the Laurie Spina Shield in Townsville.
The team had to ferry from Thursday Island to Horn Island before flying to Cairns, staying overnight and attending the Cairns Show while in town.
The next day, they were off via bus to Townsville for a last minute training run before getting a good night's sleep.
The next two days, with parents and family cheering them on, they played their round games winning two of the three on the first day and one on the final day.
Players met their rugby league heroes with a signing session with the North Queensland Cowboys before attending the Cowboys v Dragons NRL game and running onto 1300 SMILES Stadium with the rest of the Laurie Spina Shield teams.
QRL Northern Division Assistant Manager Robbie Moore said it was great the kids could take part.
"George and Emily have done a fantastic job with organising this trip with a lot of fundraising days and logistics," he said.
"All players had smiles on their faces before, during and after all games. It was an experience they will never forget and life skills and respect that will last with them for many years to come."
A proud president, George Nona said he was pleased to have been able to allow the players to be part of the experience.
"The support from the community sponsors has been awesome and our thanks goes to Skytrans Airlines who supported our little champions with cheap flights. Without them these trips of a lifetime just don't happen."
