Community helps out following fraud

LEAGUE COMMUNITY LENDS HAND

THE RUGBY league community continues to come to the aid of families in Queensland?s northwest, disadvantaged this week by an apparent fraud case.

In the latest development QRL sponsors Wizard Home Loans have combined with regional airline Macair to ensure the safe return of teenage NRL hopeful Winston Dale Amini to his family home on remote Mornington Island.

Winston and his father John had travelled to Mount Isa from their base in the Gulf of Carpentaria last Friday, preparing to trial with the Newcastle Knights.

On Monday they discovered the flights and opportunity for which they had paid a ?talent scout?, had not been booked.

Since then Winston and John have been stranded in Mount Isa until the point today when they no longer had funds available to cover their costs.

Wizard Home Loans have come to the party, covering the Aminis? accommodation for the last three days and allowing them to return home with a few extra dollars.

Further to this, Macair generously contacted the QRL on Wednesday evening and indicated they would fly the Aminis free of charge to Mornington Island. They are scheduled to depart Mount Isa on Friday morning.

Winston and John are believed to be the last of the individuals stuck in Mount Isa.

The generosity of the league community has not been restricted to Queensland.

Troy Mara of Cloncurry, has received exceptional hospitality since being stranded alone at Sydney Airport on Monday evening.

The Wests Tigers have housed Troy all week and in coming days he will receive trials with both the Sydney Roosters and Bulldogs.

NRL Welfare Officer Matt Parish has personally accompanied Troy and has organised for him to attend both NRL finals this weekend and tonight?s filming of The Footy Show.

All other boys will receive their opportunity to trial in Sydney in January, when there is an opportunity for them to have an extended stay and receive a more beneficial experience. All NRL clubs in Sydney have agreed to assist with the exercise.

The January trials will be organised in partnership with the NRL, ARL and the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation of Australia.

In addition to those organisations listed above, thanks are also due to Queensland Police, Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan, QRL Northern Division Manager Bob Newsome, Waltons? Motor Court of Mount Isa and Pacific Sports Management.