Cowboys in Class: Celebrating 20 years of Adopt-a-School

The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ cornerstone community program Adopt-a-School, presented by Bravus Mining and Resources, is celebrating 20 years of bringing Cowboys to classrooms to inspire and encourage the next generation of primary students.

Kicking off the 2024 program at the traditional meet and greet, school representatives caught up with their Adopt-a-Cowboys over a casual afternoon tea, preparing for the year ahead and reflecting on two decades of the program.

Cowboys second-rower Coen Hess, who has been a part of the Bohlevale State School community since 2017 thanks to Adopt-a-School, labelled the program a “great initiative” between the club and local schools.

“We get to go out there, have fun with the kids and get some positive messages across to them,” he said.

“That’s what the Cowboys are all about, giving back to the community – they support us out on the playing field and then programs like this are how we can give back in our way, and the boys really look forward to it.

“Every time we get out there it’s really meaningful, and both the players and the kids get a big thrill out of it.”

The Adopt-a-School program, which has been presented by Cowboys Platinum Partner Bravus Mining & Resources since 2020, includes 51 participating schools with Cowboys players and community ambassadors visiting once per term during the year.

It means more than 200 school visits will be made in 2024 with players getting involved in a variety of school community activities, including curriculum activities, sporting clinics, presentation nights and school assemblies.

This year’s Adopt-a-School visits assist schools to instill a culture of positivity, teamwork, and gratitude within each school community through the theme ‘The Cowboys Way’, emphasising the values and ethos of the Cowboys.

Bravus Mining and Resources Head of Community, Kate Campbell said their support of the Adopt-a-School program supports its workers and their families within the communities they operate in.

“Our Carmichael Mine near Clermont in central Queensland and our offices in Townsville and Rockhampton are all in the heart of “Cowboys Country” and our team members are some of the Cowboys’ biggest fans,” she said.

“Like us, the Cowboys are about championing regional Queensland and regional Queenslanders, and that’s why we’re incredibly proud to have our logo on the sleeves of their jersey again in 2024.

“We’re equally proud of the work we do with the Cowboys off the field through Adopt-a-School to use their star power to drive health and wellbeing and school attendance programs for local kids.”

Cowboys players are now preparing for school with Term 1 Adopt-a-School visits in the coming weeks.

For more information about the program, visit www.cowboys.com.au/adopt-a-school.