Normanton State School and Gulf Christian College have joined the program in 2025 and experienced their first official Try for 5! school visits as part of funding received from the Youth Development Partnership Fund, a joint initiative between the Department of Tourist and Sport and the Queensland Police Service.

Cowboys Community Engagement Officer and NRLW Cowboys player Tahlulah Tillett said both school communities were off to an impressive start.

“Since visiting in late 2024 to introduce the program, staff at both schools have done an amazing job promoting and driving the Try for 5! message; the students were all aware of the program and have had an awesome start to the year in terms of their attendance,” Tahlulah said.

“During the visit we attended each class, shared conversations about why it’s important to come to school, set some goals for the year and we also met with our MVP students who receive additional one-on-one support throughout Term 1.

“To see the young people excited about Try for 5! and to hear that some who had previously been disengaged with school were now attending more frequently demonstrated the power of this program,” she said.

As well as Try for 5!, the Cowboys Community Team are working together with local authorities and organisations including Queensland Police and Carpentaria Shire Council to deliver a suite of initiatives including:

• The Tackle Together program, where the Cowboys will facilitate a two-day rugby league clinic, culminating in some fun games for the community during the April school holidays

• Supporting agencies in their ongoing youth engagement program delivery

During the recent three-day visit, the Cowboys also engaged approximately 40 students in some fun, physical activities at the Normanton Sports Centre, enjoyed a touch football game with young people at the Normanton Stingers Rugby League Club, followed by skills and drills with players from their men’s and women’s teams, before finishing the visit with a morning tea with members of Gidgee Healing and local Elders at the Normanton Library. 

Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said having the support and involvement of the community was a huge indicator of future success.

“The most recent NAPLAN results reaffirmed what we have known for many years – the education gap between remote v urban and Indigenous v non-Indigenous students is large and spans all year levels,” Fiona said.

“Schools are doing wonderful things in the 
classroom, but if the children aren’t there they can’t benefit, so Try for 5! is all about rewarding and supporting them to come to school so they form positive education habits early in life. We also know utilising the Cowboys brand to connect through the game of rugby league is a powerful platform for meaningful engagement,” she said.

“Having the support, guidance and involvement of the Normanton community means we can all work together to bring about positive change.”