Northern Pride RLFC

NORTHERN PRIDE
Club information
Full name Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s) The Pride
Website northernpride.com.au
Colours Blue, Orange
Founded 2007
Current details
Ground(s)
CEO(s) Rod Jensen
Coach(s) Joe O'Callaghan
Captain(s) Brett Anderson & Jason Roos
Competition Intrust Super Cup
2014 1st
Home colours
Away colours
Current season
Records
Premierships 2 (2010/2014)
Runners-up 1 (2009)
Minor premiership 2 (2013/2014)
Queensland Cup
Sport Rugby league
Inaugural season 1996
Number of teams 13
Country Australia
Premiers Northern Pride (2014)
Most titles Redcliffe Dolphins (5 titles)
Website Queensland Cup
Broadcast partner Nine Network

Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club is a Queensland rugby league club founded in 2007. Based in Cairns, Queensland they compete in the QRL State competition, the Intrust Super Cup, formerly the Wizard Queensland Cup. The club represents Far North Queensland.

History

The Northern Pride, along with the Mackay Cutters (against whom they played their debut game), were the two expansion teams for the 2008 season of the QRL Wizard Queensland Cup.[1] Both teams are feeder clubs to the North Queensland Cowboys.

Cairns was represented in the QRL State Competition (called the Channel Nine Cup 1996-7; Queensland Cup 1998-9; Bundy Gold Cup 2000) from 1996-2000 by the Cairns Cyclones, but a lack of support resulted in their withdrawal.[2] Further representation in the competition was suggested in 2006 by a Cairns-based consortium of John O’Brien, Denis Keeffe, Nigel Tillet and John Moore, this time with the support of the North Queensland Cowboys and 9 of the 11 CDRL Clubs. The team name and logo were unveiled in July 2007 at a "Legends of Origin" lunch held at The Reef Hotel Casino.[3]

The Club is a development club built around the phrase 'Born and Bred.' It was formed to create a regionally based talent development pathway for players, coaches and administrators.[4] Prior to the creation of the Club, talented Far North Queensland rugby league players were invariably forced to move away from the region to go to schools and/or join southern based state league and national league clubs. The Northern Pride competes in the Open Men's Competition (currently called the Intrust Super Cup due to sponsorship obligations), as well as the Under-16 competition (Cyril Connell Cup) and the Under-18 competition (Mal Meninga Cup).

Staff

The original coach was Adrian Lam, who arrived in Cairns in August 2007, but was released a month later to take up a coaching position at the Sydney Roosters.[5] He was replaced by former Canberra Raiders NRL player Andrew Dunemann (2008-9) with former North Queensland Cowboys player David Maiden and Troy Cummings as Assistant Coaches. Dunemann resigned at the end of 2009 and Maiden was promoted to Head Coach with former Canberra Raiders and PNG international David Westley as Assistant Coach. Maiden left at the end of 2012 and was replaced by former Super League player Jason Demetriou as head coach with Ben Rauter as Assistant Coach. Demetriou coached the Pride to a minor premiership in his first season, winning 17 of their 22 games and being awarded the Men of League Coach of the Year award. In his second season Demetriou secured the minor premiership again, winning 20 games in 24 rounds, before taking out the premiership and the inaugural NRL State Championship. Demetriou resigned at the end of the 2014 season to take up the position of assistant coach under Paul Green at the North Queensland Cowboys. He was replaced by the Pride's assistant coach Joe O'Callaghan.

Foundation captain was former North Queensland Cowboys and St. George Illawarra Dragons player Chris Sheppard.[6] Sheppard was the first player signed to the team (July 2007) and was captain and operations manager for the first three seasons. He retired after leading the Pride to Premiership victory at the 2010 Grand Final. Former North Queensland Cowboys player Ty Williams was captain for the next three seasons (2011-2013), before retiring to captain-coach the CDRL Innisfail Leprechauns. In 2014 Demetriou named joint co-captains Brett Anderson and Jason Roos (2014-2015). The side has also been captained by Warren Jensen, Chey Bird, Ben Laity, Ryan Stig, Mark Cantoni, Sheldon Powe-Hobbs and Jordan Biondi-Odo when the regular captain(s) were unavailable due to injury and/or representative commitments.

The foundation Chief Executive Officer was Dennis Keeffe. He was replaced in 2010 by QRL Northern Division chairman John Moore. From 2011 to 2013 former team captain Chris Sheppard was CEO. He was replaced in May 2013 by Northern Pride business development manager, Brock Schaefer.[7] Schaefer resigned at the end of the 2014 season to take up a role at South Sydney Rabbitohs and was replaced in January 2015 by former Pride player Rod Jensen.

Venues

The Pride's home ground is Barlow Park in Cairns. The playing field is 114 metres long (100 metres of field plus two 7 metre in-goal areas) by 68 metres wide. The facility is floodlit for night games with four towers providing 620 lux. The venue has a capacity of 15,000 which includes 1,700 seats (mostly undercover). The car park can accommodate approximately 300 vehicles. The Pride have played 8 pre-season trial matches and 79 home games at Barlow Park (2008-2014, 7 seasons; won 64; drawn 2; lost 13;), two home games at Pride Oval, Irene Street Mooroobool (2010 season, won 2; drawn 0; lost 0) and one home game at Davies Park, Mareeba (2014 season, won 0; drawn 0; lost 1). Five matches at Barlow Park have been televised. The Pride have also played pre-season trial matches in the Cairns area at Pride Oval, Mooroobool; Jones Park, Westcourt; Stan Williams Park, Manunda; Callendar Park, Innisfail; Jilara Oval, Yarrabah; Mossman Showgrounds; NQ Hardware Stadium, Atherton; Tully Showgrounds, Tully and Davies Park, Mareeba.

In 2012-2013 the Pride played 13 consecutive home games at Barlow Park without loss. In 2014 Barlow Park was renamed 'The Jungle' and the Pride won all 12 matches they played there.

The team has trained at a number of venues, including Barlow Park, West Barlow Park, Pride Oval and CDRL's Jones Park at Mann Street, Westcourt.

The Pride's Leagues Club is the former CDRL Kangaroos Club at Pride Oval, Irene Street, Mooroobool.

Seasons

2008 - Inaugural Season

In their first year in the Wizard Queensland Cup the CRGT Northern Pride came 3rd, just losing the Preliminary Final in golden point extra-time to the Souths Logan Magpies, who went on to win the 2008 Grand Final.
Foundation coach was Andrew Dunemann, who had played for the Canberra Raiders, Leeds Rhinos, Halifax RLFC and South Sydney Rabbitohs, and had been Under-20s coach for the Canberra Raiders. Assistant coach was David Maiden.
Foundation captain was Chris Sheppard, who had played for the North Queensland Cowboys and St. George Illawarra Dragons.

2008 Ladder

Round 22 - 2008 Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
3 Northern Pride 2013072494416+7830

2009 - Runners Up

The CRGT Northern Pride followed up the impressive first season by finishing second and reaching the Grand Final. The Pride's first Grand Final appearance ended in a 32-18 loss to the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles at Stockland Park. Coach Andrew Dunemann left at the end of the season to take up a position as assistant coach to Rick Stone at the Newcastle Knights.

2009 Ladder

Round 22 - 2009 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
2 Northern Pride 221408564445+11928

2010 - Premiers

David Maiden took over as coach. Maiden played for the North Queensland Cowboys, Gateshead Thunder and Hull, as well as representing Scotland as an international in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.

The Skill360 Northern Pride finished fourth and made the Grand Final, having won 11 matches in a row leading into the Grand Final. They won the Grand Final, beating Norths Devils 30-20 at Suncorp Stadium. Captain Chris Sheppard won the Duncan Hall Medal for his man-of-the-match performance in the Grand Final, which was his last game before retirement.

Grand Final video highlights.

2010 Ladder

Round 22 - 2010 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
4 Northern Pride 221408501446+5528

2011

Between Round 14 of the 2010 season and Round 5 of the 2011 season, the Skill360 Northern Pride won 17 consecutive games, a Queensland Cup record. After a draw in Round 6 and a win in Round 7, the Pride were unbeaten after 19 matches. The Pride finished the 2011 season in second place, but were eliminated after losing the semi-final 26-20 to Tweed Heads Seagulls at Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe.

2011 Ladder

Round 22 - 2011 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
2 Northern Pride 221525596373+22332

2012

In 2012, the club finished seventh to miss out on a finals appearance for the first time in their short history. At the end of the season, Head Coach David Maiden resigned, while fullback Chey Bird, who scored 572 points in 94 appearances for the Pride, retired along with former North Queensland Cowboys star Rod Jensen, who scored 36 tries in 69 games for the club, second on the Pride's all-time try scorer list.

2012 season Video Highlights.

2012 Ladder

Round 22 - 2012 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
7 Northern Pride 221219554497+5725

2013 - Minor Premiers

Former Super League player Jason Demetriou replaced David Maiden as coach, and Brock Schaefer replaced Chris Sheppard as CEO. The Pride finished first and won their first Minor Premiership. Head Coach Jason Demetriou was awarded the Men of League Coach of the Year. The Pride lost both Finals games (the Major Semi-Final and the Preliminary Final) and missed out on a Grand Final appearance. At the end of the season Captain Ty Williams retired.

2013 Ladder

Round 24 - 2013 Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Northern Pride 2217052703296+40738

2014 Season - Minor Premiers, Premiers & NRL State Champions

Coach Jason Demetriou named Brett Anderson and Jason Roos as joint co-captains. Barlow Park was renamed 'The Jungle' and the Pride introduced a new mascot, Barlow the lion. The Pride won 20 of their 24 games (including all 12 home games at Barlow Park) and they took out the minor premiership for the second year in a row, won the Grand Final 36-4 against Easts Tigers and then won the inaugural NRL State Championship against the New South Wales Cup premiers, Penrith Panthers. At the end of the season four of the Pride's players were offered NRL contracts and Demetriou left to take up the role of assistant coach at the North Queensland Cowboys.

2014 Ladder

Position Round 26 - 2014 P W D L B For Against Diff Points
1 Northern Pride 2420042677414+26344

2015 Season

This week's game: Round 1 Easts Tigers v Northern Pride.

2015 Ladder

Position Round x - 2015 P W D L B For Against Diff Points
6 Northern Pride 2514092523447+7632

2016 Season

This week's game: Round 1 Easts Tigers v Northern Pride.

2016 Ladder

Position Round x - 2015 P W D L B For Against Diff Points
0 Northern Pride 0000000+00

2016 Squad

Backs

Linc Port (Fullback/Centre)
Khan Ahwang (Fullback/Centre)
Luke George (vc) (Wing)
Justin Castellaro (Centre)
Rajan Opetaia-Halls (Wing/Centre)
Akeripa Tia-Kilife (Wing/Centre)
Brayden Torpy (Halfback)
Jordan Biondi-Odo (Five-eighth)
Jared Allen (Five-eighth)
Forwards

Ryan Ghietti (c) (Hooker)
Jack Svendsen (Prop)
David Murphy (Prop)
Sheldon Powe-Hobbs (Lock/Second Row)
Vaipuna Tia Kilifi (Second Row)
Rajan Opetia-Halls (Second Row)
Tom Hancock (Second Row)
Ben Reuter (Second Row)
Lachlan Parmenter (Second Row)
Ben Schell
Denzel King (Dummy Half)
Keelan White
North Queensland Cowboys allocation

Ben Spina (Prop)
Javid Bowen (Wing)
Patrick Kafusi (Prop)
Shaun Hudson (Wing)
Lachlan Coote
Scott Bolton
Antonio Winterstein
CDRL Portability Program

Greg Miglio (Tully Tigers)
Colin Wilkie (Innisfail Leprechauns)
Fred Koraba (Innisfail Brothers)
Jared Verney (Ivanhoe Knights)
Shawn Bowen (Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks)
Sam Pau (Kangaroos)
Ned Blackman (Atherton Roosters)
Ben Schell (Cairns Brothers)
Daniel Tatipata (Edmonton Storm)
Ian King (Mareeba Gladiators)
Jack Brock (Southern Suburbs)
Menmuny Murgha (Yarrabah Seahawks)

Club records

Jerseys

Special playing strips

The five communities of the NPA Region: Injinoo, Umagico, Bamaga, New Mapoon and Seisia, the communities are represented on the five dots on the boomerang.
The five tribes the Traditional Owners of the NPA Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthati, Yadhaykenu and Gudang. The tribes are depicted through the five rivers that stream from the bottom of the boomerang.
The main centrepiece of the design the Torres Strait Headress (Dhari) traditionally known as a Dhibal, is from Saibai Island, which makes up the majority of the TSI population in the NPA which migrated to the NPA throughout the 1940s. The Dhari as a significant importance in TSI culture, the initiation of young men into warriors, celebrated through dance and ceremonies.
The boomerang represents the Aboriginal peoples of the NPA, used in hunting and gathering and significant ceremonies.
  • 2012: Pink socks and pink bootlaces for the Breast Cancer Foundation and Women in League Round, Round 15 played on Saturday 23 June 2012 at Barlow Park against Tweed Heads Seagulls.
  • 2012: Orange jersey for the Round 17 game played on Saturday 14 July 2012 at Alec Inch Oval, Mt Isa against Souths Logan Magpies.

Sponsors

Naming rights sponsor:

  • 2008-2009: CRGT Northern Pride
  • 2010-2013: Skill360 Northern Pride
  • 2014- : Sea Swift Northern Pride

Jersey sponsor (back of jersey):

  • Sea Swift (Northern Pride Platinum partner)
  • Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns
  • Queensland Country Credit Union (Official Health Fund Provider)

Sleeve sponsor:

  • 2008-2010: NQ X-Ray
  • 2011-2014: Skytrans
  • 2014 Finals Series & 2015-: Rivers Insurance Brokers
  • 2016: Rivers Insurance Brokers & L J Hooker

Shorts sponsor:

Playing strip manufacturer:

  • Emu Sportswear

Other sponsors: XXXX; Gilligans Backpacker Hotel and Resort; Pacific Toyota; Cairns District Rugby League; Calanna Pharmacy; Tropic Wings; GATA Plastering; All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club; Cairns Plan Printing; Yalumba Winery.
Media partners: Sea FM; Zinc 102.7; WIN Television; Cairns Post.

Players

Northern Pride players

Pride players Seasons Appearances
* More than 50 games
Adam Mills 2008-2009 17
Aisea Namoa 2010-2011 3
Alex Starmer 2008-2013 76
Ben Fitzpatrick 2010-2013 11
Ben Kerr 2008-2009 4
Ben Laity (c) 2008-2013 115
Ben Spina 2010-2013 54
Brent Oosen 2012-2013 4
Brenton Bowen 2010-2012 11
Brett Anderson (c) 2008, 2010-2013 71
Callan Myles 2008-2009 5
Chey Bird (c) 2008-2012 89
Chris Afamasaga 2008 7
Chris Riesen 2009-2010 19
Chris Sheppard (c) 2008-20100 59
Davin Crampton 2011-2013 27
Drew Campbell 2008-2010 16
Eric Warria 2008 1
Ethan Lowe 2012 22
Germaine Paulson 2009 17
Gordon Rattler 2008-2009 11
Hezron Murgha 2008-2009, 2011-2013 58
Jaiman Lowe 2010 11
Jamie Frizzo 2008-2010, 2012 48
Jason Roos 2008-2013 97
Jay Aston 2010 10
Joel Riethmuller 2008-2012 83
Josh Vaughan 2008-2009 41
Justin Castellaro 2012-2013 3
Lancen Joudo 2011 13
Luke Harlen 2008-2009, 2011-2012 40
Luke Millwood 2008-2009 10
Luke Saunders 2011-2012 15
Maddie Oosen 2012-2013 5
Mark Cantoni (c) 2008-2011 89
Mark Dalle Cort 2010-2012 35
Mick Wilson 2011 12
Mitchell Seri 2012 9
Noel Underwood 2008-2013 63
Quincy To’oto’o-ulugia 2008-2010 18
Richie Marsters 2008-2009 4
Rod Griffin 2008-2010 32
Rod Jensen 2009-2012 69
Ryan Ghietti 2011-2013 40
Ryan Stig (c) 2010 20
Saia Makisi 2012 7
Scott Gibson 2012 16
Shaun Nona 2011-2013 9
Sheldon Powe-Hobbs 2011 3
Stephen Sheppard 2008 11
Taputoa Sonny Rea 2010 8
Theeran Pearson 2010-2011 3
Tom Hancock 2013 -
Tom Humble 2009 23
Ty Williams (c) 2008-2013 60
Warren Jensen 2008-2009 16

North Queensland Cowboys who played for the Pride

Main article: List of North Queensland Cowboys players
Cowboys players Seasons Appearances
Aidan Day 2011 2
Ben Vaeau 2008 10
Blake Leary 2011-2012 25
Brandon Boor 2009 20
Carl Webb 2009-2010 3
Clint Amos 2010-2011 22
Cory Paterson 2011-2012 17
Dane Hogan 2010 7
David Faiumu 2008 3
David Pangai 2009 4
Jack Cooper 2011 6
Jackson Nicolau 2008 20
James Segeyaro 2010-2011 4
James Tamou 2009-2010 9
John Williams 2008-2010 5
Kalifa Faifai Loa 2011-2012 14
Manase Manuokafoa 2009-2010 17
Matthew Bartlett 2008 22
Michael Bani 2010-2011 23
Nick Slyney 2009-2010 44
Ricky Thorby 2011-2012 23
Robert Lui 2012 3
Steve Southern 2008, 2010 5
Travis Burns 2009 2
Will Tupou 2011 1
Wayne Ulugia 2012 10

Players who only played pre-season trials

Pride players Seasons
John O’Sullivan 2009
Robbie Kyles 2009
Darryl Grant 2010
Nick Obodin 2010
Nigel Naawi 2010
Freddie Fauid 2011
Nathan Kepa 2011
Tom Hancock 2011
Ryan Bartlett 2008
Shaun Cribb 2008
Francis Mosby 2011, 2012
Aaron Binawel 2012
Billy McConachie 2012
Jamie Kerwick 2012
Joel Marama 2012
Justin Dolan 2012
Masi Nona 2012
Rickki Sutherland 2012
Rohan Schultz 2012
Siaosi Liumaunu 2010
Troyson Bassani 2012
Wees Nawia 2012

Pride representative players

Queensland Country Representatives
Clint Amos
Scott Bolton
Tom Humble
Rod Jensen
Alex Starmer
Mark Cantoni
Joel Riethmuller

Queensland Residents
Clint Amos
Scott Bolton
Tom Humble
Rod Jensen
Brett Anderson
Mark Cantoni
Joel Riethmuller
Hezron Murgha
Ben Spina
Blake Leary
Shaun Nona
Javid Bowen
Davin Crampton

International Representatives
Australia Mitchell Grimes - Australian Under 15s Merit Side
Australia Noel Underwood - Australian Indigenous 19s
Australia Jack Svendsen - Australian Institute of Sport
Australia Nene McDonald - Australian Schoolboys
Australia Brett Anderson - Australian Schoolboys
Australia Bernard Lewis - Australian Under 15s Merit Side
Italy Joel Riethmuller - Italy Azzuri
Italy Ryan Ghietti - Italy Azzuri
Italy Justin Castellaro - Italy Azzuri
Italy Jamie Frizzo - Italy Azzuri
Tonga Saia Makisi - Tonga Mate Ma'a
Papua New Guinea Rod Griffin - PNG Kumuls
Papua New Guinea Jay Aston - PNG Kumuls
United States Mark Cantoni - USA Tomahawks
New Zealand Kaine Manihera - New Zealand Maori
 Ireland Tyrone McCarthy - Ireland Wolfhounds

Pride players who played in the NRL

Main article: National Rugby League
Player NRL Clubs
Brett Anderson North Queensland Cowboys Parramatta Eels Melbourne Storm
Chris Sheppard North Queensland Cowboys St. George Illawarra Dragons
Tom Humble Wests Tigers Parramatta Eels
Brenton Bowen North Queensland Cowboys Gold Coast Titans
Greg Byrnes North Queensland Cowboys
Rod Jensen North Queensland Cowboys
Ty Williams North Queensland Cowboys
Aidan Day North Queensland Cowboys
Joel Riethmuller North Queensland Cowboys
Ben Laity North Queensland Cowboys
Germaine Paulson South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jaiman Lowe South Sydney Rabbitohs
Lancen Joudo Cronulla Sharks
Luke Harlen Cronulla Sharks
Ryan Stig Newcastle Knights
Saia Makisi Western Suburbs Magpies
Sam Obst Sydney Roosters
Semi Tadulala Melbourne Storm
Joel Riethmuller North Queensland Cowboys
Hezron Murgha North Queensland Cowboys
Shaun Nona Melbourne Storm
Blake Leary Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Ben Spina North Queensland Cowboys
Davin Crampton Gold Coast Titans

Pride players who played French Elite One Championship

Player Elite One Club
Mark Cantoni Salanque Méditerranée Pia XIII (Pia Donkeys)
Saia Makisi AS Carcassonne

Televised Games

The Pride have had 37 matches televised (2008-2014, 7 seasons; won 19; drawn 1; lost 16 (1 still to play!)).

ABC TV

Between 2008 and 2011, Queensland Cup matches were televised by ABC TV, with one match a week shown live across Queensland on ABC1 at 2.00pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoons. The commentary team was Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright.

Channel Nine

From 2012, games were televised by Channel 9, with one match a week shown live across Queensland on Channel 9 (or GEM), on WIN Television (RTQ) in regional areas and on Imparja Television in remote areas at 2.00pm (AEST) on Sunday afternoons (except during coverage of the 2012 London Olympics). The first home game broadcast from Barlow Park, Cairns was Round 13, Sunday 10 June 2012 against traditional rivals Mackay Cutters. In August 2012 as part of the historic $1 billion five-year broadcasting agreement with Nine and Fox Sports, the Australian Rugby League Commission confirmed that Intrust Super Cup matches would continue to be televised by Channel 9 until 2018. From 2013 matches were also broadcast in Papua New Guinea on Kundu 2 TV. The 2012 commentary team was Andrew Voss, Ben Ikin and Nick Curry. The 2013 commentary team was Paul Green, Matthew Thompson, Scott Sattler, Adrian Vowles and Peter Psaltis. The 2014-2015 commentary team was Matthew Thompson, Scott Sattler and Peter Psaltis.

Live Streaming

From Round 1 2012 the Pride began live streaming their home games free to members via their website ($5 for non-members).[8] From Round 5 2012 away games were streamed through the website as well (Free to members, $5 to non-members).[9] In 2013, all matches (including pre-season trials but excluding matches broadcast live by Channel Nine) were streamed live through the Pride website, with access granted exclusively to Pride members.[10] Video production was by Studio Productions and the commentary team was Adam Jackson and Northern Pride Under-18s coach, Cameron 'Spiller' Miller.

References

  1. ↑ "Northern Pride RLFC: History".
  2. ↑ "Cairns Cyclones are no more".
  3. ↑ "And the winner is ... Northern Pride".
  4. ↑ "Northern Pride RLFC: About Us".
  5. ↑ "NRL swoops on Pride's top gun".
  6. ↑ "Sheppard starts Pride flock".
  7. ↑ "Bright young chief comes full of Pride".
  8. ↑ "QRL: Pride fans can watch every game via live stream".
  9. ↑ "Live stream through northernpride.com.au".
  10. ↑ "QRL: Pride fans can watch every game via live stream".
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