NRL set to make Pilbara return featuring retired Cowboy

The NRL Roadshow will return to the Pilbara this month with retired North Queensland Cowboys star Matty Bowen headlining the trip.

Workshops will be hosted in Karratha, Wickham and Port Hedland from March 17 to 21 and the roadshow will also attend expos in all three towns.

Pilbara Rugby League treasurer Adrienne De Faveri O’Sullivan said it would be good for the juniors to have Matty Bowen standing with them at their stalls during the City of Karratha’s Junior Community Sports Expo

“It’s a bit of an uplift to have an NRL player coming up and encouraging the kids to get back into league,” she said.

“I think this year is about getting the word out there that rugby league is still alive and we are organised this year.

Several WA NRL representatives and the under 17’s West Coast Pirates representative side will join the trip north.

The Pirates will play a Pilbara Rugby League side on Saturday, March 19.

The roadshow will also visit schools in all three towns with the NRL’s One Community Social Change workshop, aimed at building confidence, stamping out bullying and keeping children away from drugs and alcohol.

O’Sullivan said the the 2016 PRL season was looking in good shape.

“It should be good, we’re trying very hard to keep everyone involved in the game,” she said.

“We have bought back all these rounds and want to do things that bring people together.”

The season will start off with a round robin tournament in Port Hedland and will also see the return of the women in league game and PRL 9’s competition later in the season.

The Karratha Roosters have re-joined the competition after being forced to forfeit the second half of the 2015 season due to lack of player numbers.