The Warrego All Blacks have reformed in Charleville
THE Warrego All Blacks rugby league team has risen from the ashes with a team to compete on February 2 at the Toowoomba and Drayton Warriors carnival in Toowoomba.
The team has formed in the last two weeks, with organisers Travis Lawton and Tyson Mitchell hoping the All Blacks will give indigenous youth a chance to shine.
"Our fathers played in the Warrego All Blacks of old and we want to bring the spirit back," Travis Lawton said.
"Years ago the Warrego All Blacks were considered the number-one indigenous side in Australia.
"We want to set the foundation for the future generations."
The All Blacks were given a boost, with Max Employment donating $1000 for the entry fee into the Toowoomba tournament, but the team currently has only one football and nothing else.
"The Toowoomba and Drayton tournament is primarily an indigenous carnival but non-indigenous players can play as well," Lawton said.
"We are going to go to this carnival but we are also seeking sponsorship to the Queensland Murri Carnival in Ipswich.
"We have to borrow jerseys at the moment but we want to get sponsorship to get our own jerseys and some other training equipment.
"Our aim is also to take a female team and an under-15 team to the Queensland Murri Carnival."
Lawton said last season Jermaine Willett participated in the Queensland Murri Carnival so this year the All Blacks want to take an under-15 side so players can get recognised by scouts.
"A lot of indigenous kids from Charleville don't get the opportunity to show their talent," he said.
"If some of these kids get scouted they could go
on to play in the Brisbane league or the NRL."
Warrego All Blacks co-organiser Tyson Mitchell said out this way we have a lot of talent but it doesn't get recognised.
"A lot of families don't have the money to send their kids away for sport," he said.
The team will be training on Thursday nights and Sundays at 6pm if anybody wants to come down and train.
If anybody wants more information or can help out with sponsorship phone Tyson Mitchell on 4654 3277.
