Banana Shire Council today announced that it will partner with the International Legends of League (ILOL) to bring former State of Origin and Australian Test players to Biloela to play a charity rugby game on Saturday 7th May.  Thanks to Woorabinda Council, the event will see a Mining Skills Australian Legends team take on a Rebel Sports Callide Valley All Stars team.  The Australian League legends taking part in the Biloela event include; Steve Price, Ben Hannant, Kevin Campion, Dareen Smith, Noel Goldthorpe and Jordan Kahu to name a few. 

The Callide Valley team will feature former players from the region and will have representation from the five local clubs including Biloela, Moura, Woorabinda, Baralaba and Theodore. Some players representing the local team include the “Woorabinda Whiz” Reggie Cressbrook, and others including Gus David and Nigel Cusack.

The event acts as a massive fundraiser for the local rugby league with all food and beverage sales on game day staying in the community to be shared amongst the junior and senior rugby league.

Mayor Nev Ferrier said “This is going to be a great event for the Callide Valley and Woorabinda communities. The young fella’s around here remember watching all the great football players, and back then all you wanted to do was meet them and be one of them, so it’s great to see it’s coming to the country. It’s going to be a great day and I’m really looking forward to it.” He added.

Whilst the main game day will be played at Biloela Panthers Rugby League Fields on Saturday May 7 the event will span four days. A select group of players will arrive in the Banana Shire during the week of the game for community events and school visits covering Banana, Theodore and Moura. Thanks to Woorabinda Aboriginal Council the players will also attend schools in Woorabinda and hold an open coaching clinic for kids of all ages. A meet and greet with the local elders is also planned.

A corporate day including a Bowls day and Dinner will be held in Biloela on Friday May 6 with all players in attendance.  The players will be joined by corporate partners and the general public. Tickets are on sale to the public for the Dinner at Anzac Memorial Services Club.

Whilst the main game will be the feature event of the game day, rugby league fans will be treated to a great afternoon of football with local men’s, women’s and kids games starting from 12 noon. Main game kick off will be 6.30pm.

The public are invited to purchase discounted pre ticket sales to the game by contacting Moura Tigers on 0427 874 074 or mjrl4718@gmail.com Full price tickets will be available at the gate on game day.

ILOL event organiser Troy Byers added, “This will be our 69th legends of league event and we are very excited about this event in the Banana Shire. We will be covering a lot of territory getting to the local schools right throughout the shire with an emphasis on a “dream, believe, achieve” program. The interest in the event locally has been very encouraging and we are hopeful of attracting a big crowd with people coming from all throughout the region to watch these former NRL stars”.