Peak Downs Pirates Senior Rugby League is Back!

After a decade’s hiatus, the Peak Downs Senior Pirates have been voted back into the Central Highlands Rugby League competition for 2023 thanks, in part, to the efforts of locals Justin Madden, Axel Cutts, Nick Barry and Mitch Reinke.

“We were all raised in Tieri and grew up playing footy for the Pirates,” says Axel. “Watching the team play footy used to be such a fixture on the Tieri calendar. It was a real family event. The parents would have their food and drink as the kids played and wore themselves out. We often wouldn’t get home until the small hours of the morning! It’s not just about the footy – we wanted to bring that community spirit back as well.”

After an unsuccessful attempt in 2022, Axel and Justin formed the committee again this year, verbally secured sponsorship, got the financials from the last 10 years documented and validated and took that all to the league…and got voted back in for 2023.

“We’re so stoked to be bringing live footy back to Tieri, especially as the town is starting to fill up again. We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the hard work of the Committee and the generosity of our  , so a huge thank you goes to all of them.”

 “The return of the Pirates is big news for the club and for the towns of Tieri and Capella, especially because it coincides with the 40-year anniversary of Tieri – we’re hoping to have an honorary ‘Old Boys’ game in heritage jerseys to mark the milestone.”

 When we spoke to Axel, the celebrations of the announcement had given way to a focus on getting ready for the season and trying to recruit as many people as possible, something that proves quite challenging in a mining town. “The hardest part about being out here is that players come and go with their shifts, so the team varies week in week out.”

 That’s why training is so vital to success, it’s not only important for skill practice, it helps the players bond as a team before a match. They’ll be training throughout the entire season at the Tieri football fields every Tuesday and Thursday from 6.30pm … and it’s an open invitation for any fitness enthusiast to join in.

“Anyone is welcome to come and train with us,” encourages Axel. “We won’t turn anyone away. Just rock up in time for a 6.30pm start. All you need is your training gear and an attitude to get run ragged because it’s hard work … but still great fun!”

 The footy season kicks off on 26th March with a home game on Sunday afternoon against Blackwater. There are 16 games in total, eight at home and eight away. Friday night games are 8pm, Saturday games are either 7pm or 7.30pm, and Sunday matches are 4pm. There’s no need to book tickets. You can just turn up and pay a small cover charge at the gate. The bar will be open and food available.

“For most people, including me, it’s a dream to play in front of their hometown,” reflects Axel. “Obviously we want to win, but it’s as much about the community and bringing people out of their homes on a Friday and Saturday night and we hope to see as many of the Tieri community as possible there.”

Follow the Pirates on Facebook and stay abreast of the upcoming matches and results here.

Axel, Justin and the rest of the Committee (Nick Barry, Mitch Reinke and Alex Jaquet)

would like to thank sponsors of the 2023 Peak Downs Pirates Senior Rugby League:

Central Bike Centre (Emerald)

Central Highland Mining Services

Deftec

Emerald Industrial Services

Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse

Glencore Oaky Creek Coal

Gricon

Grimshaws Motors (Emerald)

HD Mining

The Hanger Gym (Capella)

Waymoore Innovations

Ze Pickle (Noosa)

TS Global