QLD Town Throws Support Behind
Storm Prop

Melbourne Storm prop Kirk Reynoldson may be taking on the Brisbane Broncos in Toowoomba tomorrow night, but he?ll have more than his fair share of supporters amongst the army of Broncos fans. Courtesy of a specially discounted ticket offer made available by Reynoldson himself, over 250 people from the bearded front-rower?s tiny hometown of Wandoan ? 350km West of Toowoomba - will make an eight hour round trip to cheer on Reynoldson and the Storm.

The once thriving rugby league community of Wandoan has diminished in recent years but by using his profile as one of the NRL?s most recognisable faces, Reynoldson is keen to make sure the town?s junior rugby league numbers begin to grow again. ?When I was a young bloke in Wandoan the local league was really strong and the whole community was built around it,? Reynoldson explained. ?But now the local leagues have all shut down, there?s no A-grade team and the numbers of juniors has dwindled.

?In turn that?s had an adverse effect on the community - it?s not as strong as it used to be.? Reynoldson says he is keen to restore interest in rugby league in Wandoan as a means of rebuilding the community. ?By helping the community out with some cheap tickets we just really want to generate some interest in the game again as it will only benefit the community as a whole,? Reynoldson said. ?Wandoan desperately needs funding to build some more football grounds to support the local competitions and that?s a big part of the restoration of the league.?

Since organising his own junior clinic in Wandoan during the off-season last year, the 24-year-old?s profile, along with that of rugby league?s, has grown dramatically in the Western Queensland town. ?My visit last year created a bit of a ripple effect because it started quite a few new memberships for the junior rugby league and the kids seem to be interest in league again now,? Reynoldson added.

Wandoan Junior Rugby League president Tony Baker agrees, praising the burly prop?s commitment to grass roots in the area. ?Since Kirk?s visit late last year, it?s lifted the profile of the Storm in the area and also lifted the profile of rugby league,? Baker said. ?Kirk coming up here in his own time has probably done more for rugby league on the local level than any sort of development camp. ?Hopefully we can build on that as much as possible and it?s these sort of things that could really help rugby league along in the bush.? The expected turnout is remarkable considering there is only 430 people in Wandoan ? and just 45 registered junior rugby league players - with another 600 in the surrounding Taroom Districts. ?For over 250 people to travel outside the district and go to Toowoomba to watch an NRL match, is something that just hasn?t happened here before,? Baker explained. ?It?s a big thing, everyone?s talking about it and it?s created a lot of interest.?

Support for the Storm at Saturday night?s match will also be bolstered by the fact that Reynoldson has organised a further 150 children from his former boarding school, Toowoomba?s Concordia College, to attend the game. ?There will be a lot of people there with mixed feelings because traditionally we?ve been pretty strong Broncos supporters up here,? Baker admitted. ?But ever since Kirk?s come on to the scene the Storm is right up there now.?

? The Storm vs. Broncos match kicks-off at 7.30pm (local time) at Toowoomba Stadium on Saturday night.