Northern Pride RLFC

History

The Northern Pride was one of two expansion teams for the 2008 season of the QRL Wizard Queensland Cup, along with the Mackay Cutters, against whom they played their debut game.

Cairns was represented in the QRL State Competition from 1996 to 2000 by the Cairns Cyclones, but a lack of support resulted in their withdrawal.

Further representation in the competition was suggested in 2006 by a Cairns-based consortium of John O'Brien (owner of Pacific Toyota, Cairns), Denis Keeffe (chairman of Events Cairns and former CEO of the North Queensland Cowboys), Nigel Tillet (president of the CDRL) and John Moore (QRL Northern Division chairman), this time with the support of Peter Parr, CEO of the North Queensland Cowboys, and 9 of the 11 local CDRL clubs. Starter capital for the bid was provided by 40 local business people.

The team name and logo were unveiled in July 2007 at a 'Legends of Origin' lunch held at The Reef Hotel Casino. The Northern Pride bid was submitted to the QRL on 25 August 2007, and approved on 14 September 2007.

Northern Pride is a development club built around the phrase 'Born and Bred.' It was formed to create a regionally based talent development pathway for players, coaches and administrators. Prior to the creation of the club, talented Far North Queensland rugby league players were invariably forced to move away from the region to go to schools and/or join southern based state league and national league clubs. The Pride is a feeder club to the North Queensland Cowboys.

Competitions

The Northern Pride first grade side competes in the QRL State competition, the Queensland Cup, which for sponsorship reasons is called the Hostplus Cup (2023-), formerly the Intrust Super Cup (2010–2022) and the Wizard Queensland Cup (2008–2009).

The club also fields academy teams in the Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup U18 (2009–), and Cyril Connell Challenge U16 (2021–), and women's teams in the Harvey Norman U19 (2020–), Harvey Norman U17 (2024–), and from 2025 the BMD Premiership.

The club played in the former Hastings Deering Colts U20 Competition (2018–2020), Hastings Deering Colts U21 Competition (2021–2023), QRL Junior State Championships (2017–2020), and Cyril Connell Cup U16 (2009–2016).

• Hostplus Cup (2023–)
• Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup U18 (2009–)
• Cyril Connell Challenge U16 (2021–)
• Harvey Norman U19 (2020–)
• Harvey Norman U17 (2024–)
• BMD Premiership (2025–)
• Wizard Queensland Cup (2008–2009)
• Intrust Super Cup (2010–2022)
• Hastings Deering Colts U20 (2018–2020)
• Hastings Deering Colts U21 (2021–2023)
• QRL Junior State Championships (2017–2020)
• Cyril Connell Cup U16 (2009–2016)

Staff

Coach

Main article: :Category:Northern Pride RLFC coaches

The original coach was Adrian Lam, who arrived in Cairns in August 2007 during the bid process, but was released a month later to take up a coaching position at the Sydney Roosters. He was replaced by former NRL Canberra Raiders player Andrew Dunemann, with former North Queensland Cowboys player David Maiden, and Foley Shield coach Troy Cummings as Assistant Coaches. In their first year in the competition, the Pride finished in third place, and the following year they reached the Grand Final.

Dunemann resigned at the end of 2009 and Maiden was promoted to Head Coach with former Canberra Raiders and PNG international David Westley as Assistant Coach. In Maiden's first year, the Pride won the grand finals. Maido left at the end of 2012 season and was replaced by former Super League player Jason Demetriou as head coach with Ben Rauter as Assistant Coach.

Demetriou coached the Pride to a minor premiership in his first season, winning 17 of their 22 games and being awarded the 'Men of League Coach of the Year' award. In his second season he secured the minor premiership again, winning 20 games in 24 rounds, before taking out the premiership and the inaugural NRL State Championship. Demetriou resigned at the end of the 2014 season to further his career as a coach in the NRL. He was replaced by assistant coach Joe O'Callaghan, who coached the team during the 2015 and 2016 seasons with assistant coaches Shane O'Flanagan and Leon Hallie, and trainer Darren Ferricks.

Former North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland Origin winger Ty Williams was appointed coach in 2017, with assistant coaches Sam Obst and Shane O'Flanagan. Williams was named QRL 'Coach of the Year' for the 2018 season, and he signed several contract extensions which saw him coach until the end of the 2023 season.

Eric Smith was appointed coach for the 2024 season, with former Pride players Sam Obst and Will Bugden as assistant coaches. Smith coached the side to the minor-premiership, before resigning to coach at the Redcliffe Dolphins. He was replaced for the 2025 season by Russ Aitken. After a poor 2025 season, Aitken was removed as coach with former Canberra Raiders player Sam Williams was announced to take over as coach for the 2026-27 seasons.

• Adrian Lam (2007)
• Andrew Dunemann (2008–2009)
• David Maiden (2010–2012)
• Jason Demetriou (2013–2014)
• Joe O'Callaghan (2015–2016)
• Ty Williams (2017–2023)
• Eric Smith (2024)
• Russ Aitken (2025)
• Sam Williams (rugby league) (2026-)

Football Operations Managers

• Chey Bird (2018–2020)
• Cameron Miller (2021)
• Tanya Tully (2022– )

Team Managers

• Rob White (2008–2014)
• Alan Marsh (2015–2016)
• ? (2017–2019)
• Terry Osmond (2020–2023)
• Sam Harreman (2024– )

Captain

The foundation captain of the Northern Pride was former North Queensland Cowboys and St. George Illawarra Dragons player Chris Sheppard. He was the first player signed to the team in July 2007, and was captain and operations manager for the first three seasons. Sheppard retired after leading the Pride to the 2010 Queensland Cup premiership.

Former North Queensland Cowboys player Ty Williams was captain for the next three seasons (2011–2013), before retiring to captain-coach the CDRL Innisfail Leprechauns. In 2014 Brett Anderson and Jason Roos were named as joint co-captains.

Ryan Ghietti was named as captain in 2016, with Jack Svendsen as vice-captain. Ghietti retired at the end of the 2018 season and Tom Hancock and Dave Murphy were named as joint co-captains for the 2019 season. Javid Bowen was named captain for the 2020 Season, but only one round was played before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

When matches restarted in 2021, Bowen re-signed with the Cowboys and Chris Ostwald and Jayden Hodges were named co-captains. Hodges left at the end of the 2022 season, and Ostwald was named captain for the 2023 season, with Ewan Moore as vice-captain. Newly signed hooker, Kyle Schneider was appointed captain for the 2024 season, with Ewan Moore and Evan Child as joint vice-captains.

When the team captain has been unavailable due to injury or representative duties, they have been replaced by other team members, including Chey Bird, Ben Laity and Mark Cantoni. Other players have been named as captain for pre-season trials, including Warren Jensen, Ryan Stig, Sheldon Powe-Hobbs, Jordan Biondi-Odo and Tom Hancock.

• Chris Sheppard (2008–2010)
• Ty Williams (2011–2013)
• Brett Anderson and Jason Roos (2014–2015)
• Ryan Ghietti (2016–2018)
• Tom Hancock & Dave Murphy (2018–2019)
• Javid Bowen (2020)
• Chris Ostwald & Jayden Hodges (2021–2022)
• Chris Ostwald (2023)
• Kyle Schneider (2024)
• ??? (2025- )

CEO

The foundation Chief Executive Officer was Dennis Keeffe (former CEO of the North Queensland Cowboys), who held the position from 2007 to 2009. He was replaced in 2010 by QRL Northern Division chairman John Moore. From 2011 to 2013 former team captain Chris Sheppard was chief executive officer. In 2013–2014 Northern Pride business development manager, Brock Schaefer was CEO. Schaefer resigned at the end of the 2014 season to take up a role at South Sydney Rabbitohs, and was replaced by former Pride player Rod Jensen for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Greg Dowling was CEO for the 2017 season, but resigned half-way through the 2018 season. He was replaced by Mark Quinn, who resigned at the end of the 2020 season. Paul Callaghan was CEO for the 2021 season, with Garreth Smith taking up the role in 2022.

• Dennis Keeffe (2007–2009)
• John Moore (2010)
• Chris Sheppard (2011–2012)
• Brock Schaefer (2013–2014)
• Rod Jensen (2015–2016)
• Greg Dowling (2017–2018)
• Mark Quinn (2018–2020)
• Paul Callaghan (2021)
• Garreth Smith (2022– )

Chairman and Board of Directors

The founding Northern Pride chairman was John O'Brien. He was replaced at the end of 2008 by Bob Fowler, who retired in December 2015. Terry Mackenroth acted as interim chairman until June 2016, when Cairns real-estate agent and club director, Tony Williamson, was appointed chairman. Williamson resigned at the end of the 2020 season, with Nigel Tillett acting as interim chairman until Terry Medhurst was appointed chairman at the start of the 2024 season.

The Northern Pride Board of Directors for the 2024 season is Terry Medhurst (chair), Joel Riethmuller (player representative), Micheal Luck (North Queensland Cowboys representative), (FNQRL representative), Mark Whitnall, Leon Yeatman, Stephen Devenish and Sarah Campbell.

• John O'Brien (2007–2008)
• Bob Fowler (2009–2015)
• Terry Mackenroth (2016)
• Tony Williamson (2016–2020)
• Nigel Tillett (2021–2023)
• Terry Medhurst (2024– )

Life Members

There are four life members. The first three life memberships were awarded at a Round 22 pre-game luncheon at Barlow Park, 7 August 2016.

• John O'Brien AM
• John Moore
• Bob Fowler
• Nigel Tillett

Venues

Barlow Park

The Pride's home ground is Barlow Park, corner Scott & Severin St, Parramatta Park, in Cairns. The playing field is 114 metres long (100 metres of field plus two 7-metre in-goal areas) by 68 metres wide. The venue has a capacity of 15,000, which includes 1,700 seats (mostly undercover) in a stand on the northern side of the park. The stand was constructed in 1987, with an extension added in 2003. Further upgrades are proposed to enable the venue to be used for preliminary soccer matches in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic games, with construction due to start in 2025.

The facility is floodlit for night games with four towers providing 620 lux. In 2024 a $10.9 million project installed four LED towers which increased the lighting capacity to broadcast standard of 1800 lux, and also installed a large video screen for scoring and replays.

The car park can accommodate approximately 300 vehicles.

In 2012–2013 the Pride played 13 consecutive home games at Barlow Park without loss. In 2014 Barlow Park was renamed 'The Jungle' and the Pride won all 12 matches they played there.

Other venues

When Barlow Park was unavailable due to renovations, maintenance and conflicts with other events, the Pride played at nearby venues. They played three home games at CDRL Kangaroos' Vico Oval (two in 2010 and one in 2019), one home game at CDJRL Jones Park in 2018, and two home games at CDRL Brothers Cairns Stan Williams Park in 2018.

Inclement weather resulted in a change of venue in Round 7 2014, when the Pride home game against Easts Tigers was postponed by Cyclone Ita and later played at Davies Park, Mareeba, and Round 1 2018, when heavy rain closed Barlow Park, so the Pride's home game against Wynnum Manly Seagulls was played at Langlands Park, Brisbane.

The Pride have relocated home games to regional venues: Davies Park, Mareeba (2014); Atherton Stadium (2016 against Burleigh Bears, and 2018 against Townsville Blackhawks); Callendar Park, Innisfail (2022 against Wynnum Manly Seagulls); Tully Showgrounds (2023 against Sunshine Coast Falcons); and Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville (2024 against Souths Logan Magpies).

Country Week

As part of the QRL's 'Country Week' initiative, the Northern Pride have played at Alec Inch Oval, Mount Isa (2012); Jilara Oval, Yarrabah (2013 and 2025); Davies Park, Mareeba (2014); Callendar Park, Innisfail (2015); Ravenshoe JRL Grounds (2016); Yusia Ginau Oval, Bamaga (2017); John Street Oval, Cooktown (2018 and 2024); Ken Brown Oval, Thursday Island (2019 and 2022), Atherton Stadium (2021); and Andoom Oval, Weipa (2023).

Pride Oval and Leagues Club

The Pride purchased CDRL Kangaroos Leagues Club and Vico Oval, Irene Street, Mooroobool from the Redcliffe Dolphins in June 2008 for $1.85m (the Dolphins having purchased the Oval and Leagues Club from the Kangaroos in 2005 when the Roos were in financial difficulty). Vico Oval was renamed Pride Oval and the 2008 Northern Pride Player Awards ceremony was held at the Pride Leagues Club. Pre-season trials were played at Pride Oval in 2009, as well as rounds 9 and 11 of the 2010 season.

The Oval and Leagues Club cost around $230,000 a year to maintain, and so in December 2010 Cairns Regional Council agreed to purchase the sporting complex for $2.5m to guarantee its future as a sporting field, prevent residential development on the land and free the Northern Pride rugby league club from an oppressive debt. The Pride were given a six-month lease, and when it expired in May 2011 they decided not to renew and moved to Barlow Park. Pride Oval was leased to CDRL Kangaroos RLFC and became Vico Oval and Kangaroos Leagues Club once again. The Pride played pre-season trial matches at Vico Oval in 2012 and 2016.

Seasons

Main article: :Category:Northern Pride RLFC seasons

2008 – Inaugural Season – Preliminary Finalists

Main article: 2008 Northern Pride RLFC season

In their first year in the Queensland Cup the Northern Pride came third, losing the preliminary final in golden point extra-time to the Souths Logan Magpies, who went on to win the 2008 grand final. The foundation coach was Andrew Dunemann, who had played first-grade in both the NRL and English Super League. The assistant coach was David Maiden, a rugby league international who had played in the NRL, English Super League, and Queensland Cup. The foundation captain was Chris Sheppard, who had played for the North Queensland Cowboys and St. George Illawarra Dragons.

2009 – Runners Up

Main article: 2009 Northern Pride RLFC season

The Northern Pride followed up their impressive first season by finishing second and reaching the grand final. The Pride's first grand final appearance ended in a 32–18 loss to the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles at Stockland Park. Coach Andrew Dunemann left at the end of the season to take up a position as assistant coach to Rick Stone at the Newcastle Knights.

2010 – Premiers

Main article: 2010 Northern Pride RLFC season

David Maiden took over as coach. Maiden played for the North Queensland Cowboys, Gateshead Thunder and Hull FC, as well as representing Scotland as an international in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. The Northern Pride finished fourth and made the Grand Final, having won 11 matches in a row. They won their first premiership, beating Norths Devils 30–20 at Suncorp Stadium. Captain Chris Sheppard won the Duncan Hall Medal for his man-of-the-match performance, which was his last game before retirement.

2011 – Semi-finalists

Main article: 2011 Northern Pride RLFC season

The new captain was recently retired North Queensland Cowboys Ty Williams. Between Round 14 of the 2010 season and Round 5 of the 2011 season, the Northern Pride won 17 consecutive games, a Queensland Cup record. After a draw in Round 6 and a win in Round 7, the Pride were unbeaten after 19 matches. The Pride finished the 2011 season in second place, but were eliminated after losing the semi-final 26-20 to Tweed Heads Seagulls at Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe.

2012 season

Main article: 2012 Northern Pride RLFC season

In 2012, the club finished seventh to miss out on a finals appearance for the first time in their short history. At the end of the season, coach David Maiden resigned, while fullback Chey Bird, who scored 572 points in 94 appearances for the Pride, retired along with former North Queensland Cowboys star Rod Jensen, who scored 36 tries in 69 games for the club, second on the Pride's all-time try scorer list.

2013 – Minor Premiers

Main article: 2013 Northern Pride RLFC season

Former Super League player Jason Demetriou replaced David Maiden as coach, and Brock Schaefer replaced Chris Sheppard as CEO. The Pride finished first and won their first minor premiership. Head Coach Jason Demetriou was awarded the Men of League Coach of the Year. The Pride lost the major semi-final and the preliminary final, and missed out on a Grand Final appearance. At the end of the season Captain Ty Williams retired.

2014 – Minor Premiers, Premiers and NRL State Champions

Main article: 2014 Northern Pride RLFC season

Coach Jason Demetriou named Brett Anderson and Jason Roos as joint co-captains. Barlow Park was renamed 'The Jungle' and the Pride introduced a new mascot, Barlow the lion. The Pride won 20 of their 24 games (including all 11 home games at Barlow Park) and they took out the minor premiership for the second year in a row. The Pride won the grand final 36–4 against Easts Tigers and won the inaugural NRL State Championship against the New South Wales Cup premiers, Penrith Panthers. At the end of the season four of the Pride's players were offered NRL contracts and Demetriou left to take up the role of assistant coach at the North Queensland Cowboys.

2015 – Elimination Finals

Main article: 2015 Northern Pride RLFC season

The Northern Pride defended their premiership under new coach Joe O'Callaghan. This was the inaugural season of the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup, who became the third feeder club of the North Queensland Cowboys. The Pride were eliminated 54–26 in the first week of the finals by the Ipswich Jets, who would go on to win the Queensland Cup. The Pride got off to a poor start, losing the first four rounds, but then began to string some wins together, climbing into the top eight by Round 9. They won 14 games this season, and finished in sixth place, but were eliminated in the first week of the finals, losing 26–54 to the Ipswich Jets, who would go on to win the Grand Final against the new Townsville side.

2016 season

Main article: 2016 Northern Pride RLFC season

The Pride lost a wealth of talent to retirement at the end of last season. In 2016 they fielded the youngest team so far, with an average age of 21. While the Pride had some memorable wins, they lost more home games than they won and finished eighth, missing out on the finals series for just the second time. At the end of the season coach Joe O'Callaghan resigned.

2017 season

Main article: 2017 Northern Pride RLFC season

Ty Williams succeeded Joe O'Callaghan as coach. The Pride struggled this year, winning only six games, and losing seventeen, including eight losses in a row from Round 11 to Round 19. The Pride, who previously had an unenviable record of wins at home, managed only two victories at Barlow Park. They finished in twelfth place, their worst season to date.

2018 – Elimination Finals

Main article: 2018 Northern Pride RLFC season

In their second year under coach Ty Williams the Pride won 13 games, an improvement on last year. They finished fourth and qualified for the finals, the first time since 2015. However they were eliminated in the first week of the finals by Easts Tigers. This game was played at Stan Williams Park, the home of Cairns Brothers, as Barlow Park was unavailable.

2019 season

Main article: 2019 Northern Pride RLFC season

The Pride's 2019 season was disappointing. While they started the season well, winning their first two games against tough opponents, they went on to lose the next 10 straight, a club record, and finished in twelfth place with just five wins from 23 games. They managed to finish the season in a competitive fashion, pulling off a thrilling comeback to defeat Easts Tigers 18-16 in their last home game, before narrowly falling to Tweed Seagulls 12-10 in the final round.

2020 season

Main article: 2020 Northern Pride RLFC season

The season was cancelled after one round due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pride played three pre-season trials, two of which attracted large crowds - the trial against the Blackhawks was a curtain-raiser to the Cowboys v Broncos pre-season trial, and the trial against the Hunters attracted a large ex-pat following. The only match in the regular season was an away game where the Pride lost to Tweed Heads Seagulls. In August and September a special four-team 'Lightning Challenge' competition was held to give the players and fans some rugby league in what was otherwise a very quiet year.

2021 season

Main article: 2021 Northern Pride RLFC season

The 2021 Intrust Super Cup was played over 19 rounds. The Northern Pride finished ninth and missed out playing in the finals.

2022 – Elimination Finals

Main article: 2022 Northern Pride RLFC season

The 2022 Hostplus Cup saw fourteen teams playing 20 rounds. The Northern Pride finished 8th and were knocked out of the finals series in week one, losing 30-22 to the Central Queensland Capras.

2023 – Elimination Finals

Main article: 2023 Northern Pride RLFC season

The 2023 Hostplus Cup was played over 22 rounds. The Northern Pride finished in seventh place, but were knocked out of the finals series in week one, losing 15-14 to Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Coach Ty Williams retired at the end of the season.

2024 – Minor Premiers

Main article: 2024 Northern Pride RLFC season

Eric Smith was appointed as coach. New signings included Lachlan West, Nat McGavin and Bacho Salam from the Brisbane Tigers, Dane Aukafolau (Newcastle Knights), Jensen Taumoepeau (Newtown Jets), Kyle Schneider (Mackay Cutters), Josh Allen (Canberra Raiders) and Ashton Galea (Innisfail Brothers).

The Pride finished on top of the table as Minor-Premiers, winning 17 of their 20 matches, including all of their home games, but they lost their home Preliminary Final to Redcliffe Dolphins. Coach Smith resigned at the end of the season to coach the Dolphins.

2025 season

Main article: 2025 Northern Pride RLFC season

The 2025 Hostplus Cup is the 30th season of Queensland's top-level statewide rugby league competition run by the Queensland Rugby League. Fifteen teams will play over 23 rounds between March and August, with the finals series played in September.

Russ Aitken was appointed as coach.

[[North Queensland Cowboys]] allocated players

The Cowboys split their squad of NRL and development list players between their two feeder clubs, the Pride and Mackay Cutters, with players not required for that weekend's NRL fixture heading to their Queensland Cup team.

Cowboys allocated to the Pride in 2025 :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :* :*

2025 Ladder

Team of the Decade, 2008–2017

In 2017, to mark the ten-year anniversary of the Northern Pride, a 'Team of the Decade' was selected. Eligible players had to have played 30 matches for the Pride. The selection panel was Brett Allen, Rhys O'Neill, Pat Bailey, Greg Dowling, Rob White and Bob Fowler. The Team was announced at a Gala Anniversary Dinner on 30 June 2017.

Club records

• Most appearances: Jason Roos, 163 (2008–2015).
• Most points scored for the club: Chey Bird, 574 points (23 tries, 226 goals).
• Most points scored in a season: Chey Bird, 216 points (5 tries, 97 goals) 2011 season; Khan Ahwang 206 points in 23 games in the 2016 season (13 tries, 76 goals).
• Most points in a game: Tom Humble 34 points (4 tries, 9 goals) against Redcliffe in Round 18, 2009.
• Most tries scored for the club: Brett Anderson, 61 tries.
• Most tries scored in a season: Linc Port, 26 tries in 25 games in the 2015 season.
• Most tries in a game: 4 tries each by Brett Anderson (2008 v Mackay and again in 2011 v Easts); Tom Humble (2009 v Redcliffe); Linc Port (2015 v Capras).
• Most goals for the club: Chey Bird, 226 goals.
• Most goals in a season: Chey Bird, 97 goals, 2011 season.
• Most field-goals: Chris Sheppard, 3 field-goals.

Jerseys

File:Northern Pride home jersey 2008.png|2008 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2009.png|2009 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2010.png|2010 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2010.png|2011 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2012.png|2012 File:Northern Pride alternative jersey 2013.png|2013 File:Northern Pride RLFC alternate jersey 2014.png|2014 File:Northern Pride RLFC primary jersey 2015.png|2015 File:Northern Pride RLFC primary jersey 2016.png|2016 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2017.png|2017 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2018.png|2018 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2020.png|2020 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2023.png|2023 File:Northern Pride home jersey 2024.png|2024 File:Northern Pride away jersey 2008.png|2008 File:Northern Pride away jersey 2009.png|2009 File:Northern Pride away jersey 2010.png|2010 File:Northern Pride away jersey 2011.png|2011 File:Northern Pride away jersey 2012.png|2012 File:Northern Pride RLFC primary jersey 2013.png|2013 File:Northern Pride RLFC primary jersey 2014.png|2014 File:Northern Pride RLFC alternative jersey 2015.png|2015 File:Northern Pride RLFC alternate jersey 2016.png|2016 File:Northern Pride away jersey 2023.png|2023 File:Northern Pride away jersey 2024.png|2024 File:Northern Pride NAIDOC jersey 2010.png|2010 NAIDOC File:Northern Pride NAIDOC jersey 2011.png|2011 NAIDOC File:Northern Pride NPA jersey 2011.png|2011 NPA File:Northern Pride orange jersey 2012.png|2012 Mt Isa

Special playing strips

:* 2010: NAIDOC Week black jersey designed by Kevin Edmondston (Aboriginal) and Joey Laifoo (Torres Strait Islander) and worn in Round 16, Friday 9 July 2010 at Barlow Park for the game against the Ipswich Jets. :* 2011: NAIDOC Week green jersey worn in Round 15, Friday 8 July 2011 at Barlow Park for the game against the Burleigh Bears. :* 2011: Special Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) Indigenous jersey designed by Mario Assan for the Round 20 game played on Saturday 20 August 2011 at Yusia Ginau Oval, Bamaga, Queensland against Souths Logan Magpies. The design incorporates:

:* 2012: Pink socks and pink bootlaces for the Breast Cancer Foundation and Women in League Round, Round 15 played on Saturday 23 June 2012 at Barlow Park against Tweed Heads Seagulls. :* 2012: Orange jersey for the Round 17 game played on Saturday 14 July 2012 at Alec Inch Oval, Mt Isa against Souths Logan Magpies.

Sponsors

Naming rights sponsor

• 2008–2013: CRGT / Skill360
• 2014–2017: Sea Swift
• 2018–2019: Mount Peter (Kenfrost Homes) (The Pride started the 2018 season without a major sponsor)
• 2020– : Kenfrost Homes

Other sponsors

• Jersey sponsor: Sea Swift, Brothers Leagues Club, Queensland Country Credit Union.
• Sleeve sponsor: NQ X-Ray (2008–2010), Skytrans (2011–2014), Rivers Insurance Brokers (2015), Rivers Insurance Brokers & LJ Hooker (2016)
• Shorts sponsor: Brothers Leagues Club, Cairns Regional Council, Fuller Sports, Intrust Super, Cairns Hardware.
• Playing strip manufacturer: EMU Sportswear
• Other sponsors: XXXX; Gilligans Backpacker Hotel and Resort; Pacific Toyota; Cairns District Rugby League; Calanna Pharmacy; Tropic Wings; GATA Plastering; All Seasons Cairns Colonial Club; Cairns Plan Printing; Yalumba Winery.

Media partners

• Sea FM; Zinc 102.7; Triple M; WIN Television; Cairns Post.

Players

Northern Pride players (2008-2023)

Main article: :Category:Northern Pride RLFC players

North Queensland Cowboys allocation players who played for Pride (2008-2023)

Main article: :Category:North Queensland Cowboys

Players who played for the Cowboys and the Pride (2008-2023)

Players who only played pre-season trials

Pride representative players

Queensland Country Representatives

Queensland Residents

International Representatives

Northern Pride players who played in the National Rugby League

Main article: National Rugby League

Pride players who played Super League (Northern Hemisphere)

Main article: Super League

Pride players who played UK Betfred Championship

Main article: RFL Championship

Pride players who played French Elite One Championship

Main article: Elite 1 (rugby league)

Venues

Between 2008 and 2023 the Pride played at 56 different venues across Queensland, New South Wales and Papua New Guinea.

Televised games

Between 2008 and 2011, one Queensland Cup match per round was televised free-to-air by ABC TV, with the game shown live across Queensland on ABC1 on Saturday afternoons at 2:00pm (AEST). The commentary team was Gerry Collins, Warren Boland and David Wright. The Pride had 20 matches televised by the ABC.

In 2012, the Nine Entertainment Network and Fox Sports acquired the broadcast rights. They continued to show one Q Cup game per round, live and free-to-air across Queensland on Channel 9 or GEM in south-east Queensland, on WIN Television (RTQ) in regional areas, and on Imparja Television in remote areas. From 2013 matches were also broadcast in Papua New Guinea on Kundu 2 TV.

The weekly televised match was played on Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm (AEST). In 2018, the match was rescheduled to 1:00pm (AEST) on Saturday afternoon, but this time slot was unpopular and ratings fell, and so in 2019 the televised match returned to a 2:00pm (AEST) Sunday time-slot. From 2021 Channel 9 only broadcast finals matches, with the weekly featured match shown on-demand on 9Now, and from 2022 on QPlus.TV and Kayo Free.

The Channel 9 commentary team included Andrew Voss, Ben Ikin, Nick Curry, Paul Green, Matthew Thompson, Scott Sattler, Adrian Vowles, Taylor Brown, Warren Boland, Drury Forbes, and Adam Jackson.

Between 2012 and 2018, the Pride had 29 matches televised by Channel 9, with eight of these matched being home games. The first game broadcast from Barlow Park, Cairns was Round 13, Sunday 10 June 2012 against the Pride's traditional rivals Mackay Cutters.

Live streaming

In 2011 the Pride began live-streaming their home games, starting with the last home game of the season (Round 22 against Tweed Heads). For the 2012 season, home games were live-streamed via the Pride website using video distribution service Rivus TV Ltd. Games were free for members to watch, and $5 per game for non-members. From Round 5 2012 away games were streamed through the website as well.

From 2013 to 2016, all matches (including pre-season trials but excluding matches broadcast live by Channel Nine) were streamed live through the Pride website, with access granted exclusively to Pride members. Video production was by Studio Productions and the commentary team was Adam Jackson and Northern Pride Under-18s coach, Cameron 'Spiller' Miller.

In 2022 Sydney based Cluch.tv gained exclusive rights for live-streaming all QRL games; Hostplus Cup, BMD Premiership, Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup, Cyril Connell Challenge, Harvey Norman U19, and Harvey Norman U17. The subscription service operated under the website name Qplus.TV, with Cluch selling a subscription to all games for $4.99 a week or $49.99 a season. In September 2023 Cluch Pty. Ltd. entered voluntary administration with the QRL owed $233,000.

QRL relaunched QPlus.TV at the start of the 2024 season with the same subscription deal. The match of the round is shown free on QPlus, 9Now and Kayo Free.

References

References

1. "Northern Pride RLFC: History".
2. "Cairns Cyclones are no more".
3. . (18 September 2010). "Pride and Glory: They're our Pride and joy". *Cairns Post*.
4. "And the winner is ... Northern Pride".
5. . (15 September 2007). "Mackay and Cairns go in". *Townsville Bulletin*.
6. "Northern Pride RLFC: About Us".
7. (February 2024). "NRL swoops on Pride's top gun}}{{dead link".
8. "Subscribe to the Cairns Post".
9. "New Cup coaches of 2024: Smith at Pride".
10. (2025-09-26). "'I want to give it a crack': Could we see this former Raider back in the NRL?".
11. (February 2024). "Sheppard starts Pride flock}}{{dead link".
12. "Bright young chief comes full of Pride".
13. "Terry Medhurst has been elected as the Northern Pride's new chairman after Nigel Tillett closed the book on his three year tenure with the club.".
14. Barlow Park
15. New lighting first step in Olympics upgrade for Barlow Park
16. (2019-04-14). "Country Week locations announced".
17. (2020-03-27). "Major second-tier competitions cancelled across Australia – QRL".
18. (19 October 2020). "QRL commits to statewide footprint as key changes unveiled".
19. Arnold, Rikki-Lee. (9 August 2023). "Northern Pride announce new head coach.".
20. "Cowboys 2024 feeder club allocation".
21. "QRL: Pride fans can watch every game via live stream".
22. "Live stream through northernpride.com.au".
23. "QRL: Pride fans can watch every game via live stream".