Toowoomba Sports Ground - the Broncos’ home away from home

Friday 14 February saw a day dedicated to engaging with 35 at-risk young people who are supported by various programs through the Youth Development Partnership Fund, a program delivered by the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games along with Queensland Police Service.

One of the participants, 14-year-old Kayla, couldn’t speak highly enough of the program’s impact on her life.

“Last year I didn’t know where to go and I was just rock bottom. Now, I’m a leader at school, I’m a leader in Toowoomba and I think I’m a better person.”

Traditional Indigenous Games were played throughout the morning before the day was capped off with a session conducted by the Brisbane Broncos. Superstars Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Kotoni Staggs were on hand for photos and autographs.

The contact with the players made the kids’ day and Carrigan said they weren’t the only ones to benefit.

“It makes my day too. To see some of the places that they’ve come from and to know that anything is possible, and they can achieve their dreams too. They’re just kids smiling and today loving rugby league and to see them progress in the future through sport is pretty special.”

Saturday at the Toowoomba Sports Ground was the Broncos Captain’s Run and Fan Day, with 1,500 converging on the precinct to see, touch and talk with their heroes.

For local product Cory Paix, who was named in the starting side for the Pre-Season Challenge against the Titans, the turnout was fantastic.

“The past players brought the NRL to Toowoomba and I was just one of those kids watching on not too long ago. It’s just awesome to be back home.”

The day was rounded out with a kids’ clinic conducted by staff and players including Scott Prince and NRLW players and Toowoomba products Shenae Ciesiolka and Jada Ferguson. The clinic was fully registered with 100 local youngsters taking part and soaking up the experience.

Sunday was game day and a full house of 7,500 turned out to witness development players, the Western Clydesdales and Carina BRL set the stage with curtain raisers.

The main event saw the Broncos send the local fans into raptures with a thumping 50-12 win over the Titans, running in nine tries to two.

However, for the Toowoomba community, the three days of being close to the team, almost being part of the team, meant so much more than the 80 minutes of football.

It was about an intimately shared occasion between some of rugby league’s biggest names and some of rugby league’s biggest fans, igniting the region through contact and friendship, and inspiring more young locals to take up the game and be more active.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said the importance of the entire weekend to the Toowoomba community wasn’t lost on the club.

“It’s part of what they do. It’s part of the fabric of our club. And what an experience for some of these local kids. They get to pass the footy with Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Adam Reynolds.”

“It’s hopefully an experience they’ll remember for the rest of their lives and whether they go on to play NRL or just live a healthy, happy, long life, hopefully the positive interactions that they’ve had will play a small part.”

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