Two teams of Realway Junior Dolphins got a taste of playing league in country Queensland recently when they travelled to Charleville to compete in the Adrian Vowles Cup. Our U13 and U15 squads made the ten hour journey by bus thanks to Brian’s Buses to compete in the Cup, which is in its third year.
After leaving late Thursday, the Realway Junior Dolphins buses pulled into the Charleville Showgrounds Friday morning to take on teams from places including Charleville, Central West, Roma and Miles.
“The Dolphins have a lot to thank regional Queensland for which is why we like to get behind initiatives that foster and grow local talent,” General Manager of Football Grant Cleal said. “Some of our toughest and most successful players have come from places like Roma, Chinchilla and Mitchell. The likes of Arthur Beetson, Wally-Fullerton Smith, the Cherry brothers and our major Junior Sponsor and former Dolphin Andrew Reibelt to name just a few all hail from Roma. Our Club would not be what it is today without our strong connections to regional Queensland,” he said.
Football Operations Manager, Steve Crawford, said taking the Realway Junior Dolphins out west was about supporting rugby league in regional towns as well as giving our Dolphins the experience of bush footy. “These types of tours are really character building for our players,” Crawford said. “They’re not used to the long journey, the heat, the dry paddocks, and of course they are playing against tough opposition that regional Queensland is famous for.
Despite the long overnight trip, our players were outstanding, representing the Dolphins and showing the persistence and never give up attitude our Club prides itself on,” he said.
Despite travelling the furthest distance and playing up a grade, the U15 Realway Junior Dolphins won the U16 Cup. The U13 team unfortunately missed the final due to three teams finishing on top which meant it was decided by for and against.
At the conclusion of the Carnival, the Adrian Vowles Cup Dream Teams were named, with each player receiving a specially designed Adrian Vowles Cup jersey. The following Dolphins were named in the Dream Teams:
Under 14 – Robert Toia, Connor Scorgie Ross
Under 16 – Lachie Maller, Jarrod Lafsky, Rhys Timms, Brock Keal
Rhys Timms received the player of the carnival.