Sport
18 February, 2026
Pride in full action
FANS have had their first taste of rugby league action at Tully Showgrounds with Northern Pride’s junior representative men’s and women’s teams in action against southern rivals, the Townsville and District Blackhawks.
In their first pre-season hit out, Northern Pride academy squads featured a stack of upcoming rugby league talent from Tully and Innisfail.
These included Lillee Barba, Amelia Solien, Jordana Woods, Skye Barba, Shiloh Babsek, Arianna Martin, Teneisha Ah Kee, Lisa Waireg, Zaeden Kitching-Ely, Ashton Stepanoff and Braith Clubb.
These scratch matches proved beneficial to all teams, as players looked to build on cohesion and put their skills on display.
Trial game results
Townsville Blackhawks under-17 girls 20 def Northern Pride 18
Northern Pride under-19 women’s 22 Townsville Blackhawks 16
Mal Meninga Cup Under-19 Boys Townsville Blackhawks 56 def Northern Pride 0.
This year the Tully Tigers Rugby League Football Club is gearing up for a huge season as the town celebrates 100 years of rugby league.
Troy Kapea has been appointed as the Tigers A-grade coach. A former Tully Tiger, Kapea was part of the Tigers 2010 and Herbert River 2016 premiership winning teams.
Kapea’s representative honours have included Northern Pride, Townsville Blackhawks, and Queensland Rangers.
With his wealth of experience, passion for footy, and dedication to developing local talent, Kapea is the perfect fit to lead this year’s A-grade side.
Louis Carlaw is the coach of the under-19 team.
Carlaw had been a dedicated tiger for nearly two decades, pulling on Tigers colours from 2006 to 2024 and his playing career includes premiership wins in under 16 (2006), reserve grade (2010). From 2016-2024, Carlaw captained the reserve grade team.
A leader on and off-field Carlaw brings a wealth of experience, passion and a deep understanding of what it means to be a Tully Tiger.
Carlaw’s focus is “to push the squad to reach their full potential- individually and as a team and earn a well-deserved spot in the 2026 finals series”.
The club has appointed Ed Long as reserve grade coach for 2026.
The annual jersey launch auction on Saturday 28 February at the Tully Leagues Club, features two-time NRLW premiership winner Romy Teitzel.