‘The game you look for and you circle’: Redcliffe ready for Liam Hampson Cup

Jarrett Boland follows the same pre-game routine every time he plays.

It takes just a few simple steps. And it’s all done in memory of his beloved friend, Liam Hampson.

“I always strap my wrist,” Boland said.

“There’s nothing wrong with it, but I just put his Dolphin number on it – 821.

“It covers a wristband we got at his funeral, which I never take off. And I always play one song that he loved.

“His name is actually in the sheds. A couple years ago, one of the boys got a magnet with his name on it and stuck his name up on the roof and he hasn’t come down. So, every game day I strap the wrist, listen to that song, look at the roof, think of him for a bit.”

Boland, centre, with Hampson, second from right, and other teammates.

Hampson tragically passed away in October 2022, while travelling Europe with a group of mates.

Aged 24 at the time, the former hooker was fresh off his first season with the Redcliffe Dolphins, where he had met Boland.

They only knew each other for a short time, but there was an instant bond.

And now Boland dedicates every match he plays to Hampson.

“Every game. Every game,” Boland said.

“On the away games, I actually watch a little video I put together of my favourite memories with him on my Instagram and I watch that a couple times and put my phone away.”

Boland’s tradition will be even more important this Saturday when the Redcliffe Dolphins take on the Tweed Seagulls in the Hostplus Cup for the third annual Liam Hampson Cup.

While the forward himself is on the comeback trail from injury – making his return through the ranks with the BRL – he will involve himself in the day as much as he can.

Whether he turns out for the Hostplus Cup side or in the BRL, Boland is determined to see Redcliffe retain the Hampo Cup for the third year straight.

“I think this is probably the first year there is actually a little bit of pressure. Redcliffe’s won both of them and we don’t want Tweed to get their hands on the Cup.

“So, it’s up to us to sort of dig in again and not only keep a streak going within the comp, but keep the Hampo Cup streak on as well.

“It’s the game you look at the calendar at the start of the year and you circle in red and you do everything you can to play for that game.

“If you can’t, you make sure you’re the first bloke on the sideline to make sure the boys are out there doing everything they can to hold onto it and play for Hampo, play for his family and play for everyone at the club.”

The Hostplus Cup match will kick off at 3.15pm at Kayo Stadium on Saturday, followed by the BRL clash with the Carina Tigers at 5pm.

Ahead of the Liam Hampson Cup, the Hampson family will hold a VIP Lunch in memory of their son and to raise money for their foundation, Hampo’s Youth Foundation.

The foundation aims to carry on the work Hampson did away from the field, as a teacher aide and mentor to young kids.

Boland, who also works in education, acts as a mentor for the foundation, working with two young kids from Redcliffe State High School over the past two years, helping them on and off the field.

“It’s everything,” Boland said.

“Being a non-for-profit, money like this is what the foundation thrives off in order to be able to look after the kids, look after the youth, give them the opportunities that kids like Hampo deserved, and give back to the community wherever we can.”

Tables of 10 for the lunch are available for $1600 while individual tickets can be purchased for $170.

The tickets cover a two-course meal, a four-hour drink package and entry to the game, as well as halftime snacks.

Hampo’s Cup VIP Lunch will include special guests, Trevor Gillmeister and Corey Oates.

For tickets or more information, email lorna@hamposyouthfoundation.com.au.

For more information on the foundation, click here.

Gates to Kayo Stadium open at 1pm on Saturday, with the BRL Reserves to get the action underway from 1.30pm when the Brighton Roosters take on the Carina Tigers.