The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have finalised its Affiliate Club Agreements through the 2028 season.
The Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters remain as Cowboys feeder clubs, while the Townsville Blackhawks return to the fold for the first time since 2023.
As part of the agreements, the Cowboys will send players to all three feeder clubs from its NRL squad to play in the Queensland Cup.
The Pride, Cutters and Blackhawks will have the opportunity to send players to the Cowboys for pre-season training blocks, with the potential to also appear in a trial game for the Cowboys.
The Head Coaches of the three affiliate clubs will have the opportunity to spend significant time alongside Todd Payten and his coaching staff at the Hutchinson Builders Centre for professional development.
The Cowboys will also make significant cash contributions to all three feeder clubs.
“This is a great day for our club to be able to announce the extension of our affiliate agreements with the Cutters and Pride as well as the recommencement of our relationship with the Blackhawks,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.
“To have all three clubs in our footprint on board as affiliate clubs is terrific for rugby league in North Queensland.
“The three-affiliate system has been fruitful for the development of our players plying their trade in the Queensland Cup.”
Blackhawks Chairman Glen Carroll said the club were delighted to reunite with the Cowboys.
“The Townsville Blackhawks are proud to welcome this three-year partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys,” he said.
“This collaboration strengthens the pathway for our home-grown talent to remain in North Queensland while playing rugby league at the highest level.
“As a pathway club, the Blackhawks are committed to fostering our close relationship with the Cowboys to ensure opportunities are created and nurtured for North Queenslanders to achieve their rugby league aspirations.”
Pride Chairwoman Kym McPhee-Smith described the agreement as the heartbeat of rugby league in Far North Queensland.
“The Northern Pride is proud to announce the renewal of its affiliation with the North Queensland Cowboys, a partnership built on shared values, regional pride, and a united vision to grow rugby league across Far North Queensland,” she said.
“For more than a decade, this relationship has been the heartbeat of our rugby league pathway, creating opportunities for local players and coaches to reach their full potential.
“The Cowboys’ continued support of both our men’s and women’s programs reinforce their commitment to northern development. Together, we’re building the future of rugby league in the north, one player, one community, and one dream at a time.”
Cutters Chairman Steve Dowden said the club were excited to continue its relationship with the Cowboys.
“The extension of the long-standing agreement between the Cutters and Cowboys is terrific for rugby league in our region,” he said.
“The Mackay region has produced some of the great players to wear a Cowboys jersey, including current captains Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden.
“This agreement gives aspiring rugby league players in our region a clear pathway from their junior clubs to the Cutters and finally to the Cowboys.”
