Local charities fueling Community Corner in 2024

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys game-day program Community Corner is set for its 15th season with 12 organisations locked in, and almost 200 charities, not-for-profits and community organisations having benefited from their opportunity to engage with home game crowds, thanks to Townsville City Council.

Launched in 2009, Community Corner provides a dedicated space at Cowboys home games that invites community organisations to build their profile and raise awareness for their cause, reaching a brand-new audience at no cost to participating organisations.

Positioned on the Northern Concourse at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Community Corner’s first organisation to benefit from the fun and atmosphere of the Cowboys’ first home game against the Knights is local charity, Fuel for Schools Ltd.

Fuel for Schools Ltd manager Paddy Pool said the local charity – founded by his wife Paula Pool and friend Demelza Gardem - instils healthy habits into local school children from a young age.

“Some children don’t have access to the basic items they need when starting school,” he said.

“Fuel for Schools Ltd is committed to ensuring local primary school and high school students have access to essential schooling items such as backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles and new socks.

"The cost of living has ramped right up and that effects a lot of families, not just the ones that the charity was initially designed for, and the need is growing every day with schools who've started the program one or two days a week seeing the benefits.

“We are Townsville based, but we do support schools right around North Queensland from Ingham down to Bowen and out to Mount Isa, so hopefully fans come in and see Fuel For Schools and understand better where we operate."

Fuel For Schools will use the Community Corner opportunity to promote their charity and call for donations, encouraging Cowboys members and fans to play their part in supporting Townsville’s next generation.

The team from Fuel for Schools will also give away wristbands at the game with those who donate on the day going into the draw to win a Jake Granville signed jersey.

Ticketed members and fans can visit Community Corner on the Northern Concourse at Queensland Country Bank Stadium via Gate A, from gates open until NRL kick off at each match day.

A Townsville City Council spokesperson said Council and Cowboys had shared values in supporting community organisations.

“Not-for-profit organisations, charities and community-focused groups are integral elements of Townsville,” she said.

“Through initiatives like the Community Corner we can help to raise the profile and awareness of these groups that contribute significantly to our Townsville community.

“Local charities, not-for-profits and community groups are given the platform to be visible in front of thousands of people to help profile the great work they do.

“Through partnering with the Cowboys and initiatives like Community Corner we can help celebrate, advocate and inform about the valuable contributions of Townsville organisations in supporting the community.”

The participating organisations for 2024 are:

• Round 2, Sat 16 March: Fuel for Schools Ltd.
• Round 5, Sun 7 April: Great Barrier Reef Foundation
• Round 8, Sat 27 April: TBC
• Round 9, Sat 4 May: North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service/NQ Women’s Legal Service
• Round 12, Fri 24 May: Deadly Choices
• Round 14, Sat 8 June: Fortem Australia
• Round 18, Sat 6 July: Bishop Michael Putney Fellowship/Tropical Brain and Mind Foundation
• Round 20, Sun 21 July: Wilmar Sugar (Cane Train Safety campaign)
• Round 21, Sat 27 July: Family of League
• Round 23, Sat 10 August: Royal Flying Doctor Service
• Round 24, Sat 17 Aug: StreetSmarts (Road Safety campaign)
• Round 26, Thu 29 August: Surf Life Saving Queensland

To find out more, visit cowboys.com.au/community-corner.

Tickets for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys opening home game are on sale through cowboys.com.au/tickets or Ticketmaster outlets.