Queenslanders are basking in state pride after claiming both the men’s and women’s State of Origin series.
Key points:Peter Rafter spends eight months of the year on the road promoting rugby league in the OutbackHis “Caravan of Courage” covers more than 500,000 square kilometres of the stateSome families drive more than four hours each way so their children can play a game
The victories make work a little easier for Bribie Island’s Peter Rafter who reckons he has the best job in the world.
Mr Rafter is operations manager of Queensland Outback Rugby League.
He helps grow rugby league in outback Queensland, driving from town to town in a specialised motorhome covered in pictures of Queensland State of Origin heroes.
He said his patch covered more than 500,000 square kilometres of the state.
“The area I look after is nearly the size of New South Wales,” Mr Rafter said.
“Basically everywhere from Alpha, out to Winton, down to Mungindi, Lightning Ridge, across to Chinchilla, Tara, St George area and everywhere in between.”
Having a day job that involves talking footy is a dream come true for Mr Rafter.
The former police officer has been involved in rugby league since he was six years old.
The Caravan of Courage is designed to provide support to outback rugby league clubs and promote the game.(Supplied: Peter Rafter)
Nine years ago the head of central region rugby league approached Mr Rafter about a travelling campervan idea that would tour Queensland promoting the sport.
“I was talking to Danny McGuire about this position that was coming up and he just asked my opinion. I thought ‘Oh wow’ it seems too good to be true a job like that,” Mr Rafter said.
“They finally got it worked out how we’re going to do it and I guess the best man for the job gets the job.”
Families dedicated to the sport
Mr Rafter spends eight months on the road in the ‘Caravan of Courage’, travelling around 45,000 kilometres each year promoting the game.
Queensland Rugby League said it was an operational vehicle, designed to provide administration and operational support to the outback communities.
Mr Rafter says some families travel long distances so their children can play.(Supplied: Peter Rafter)
Mr Rafter believed there was something about footy out there that demonstrated the true spirit of sport.
“The pride of the community is just unbelievable,” he said.
“A lot of the kids out here feel as though they’ve made it if they’re still playing with their mates and they’re able to play in the local A grade grand final.”
He said he had been blown away by the dedication families had to the game.
The Caravan of Courage travels to Alpha, Winton, Mungindi, Lightning Ridge, and to Chinchilla, Tara and St George.(Supplied: Peter Rafter)
“I was talking to a woman from Winton and she said that her six-year-old only had to travel four hours each way to play 30 minutes of footy,” Mr Rafter said.
“And she didn’t blink an eyelid.”
Origin stars lift outback spirits
Mr Rafter said it was often sport that kept bringing people together in the communities when times were tough, especially during droughts.
“When I was first coming out here you could see shops closing on each occasion you came out,” he said.
“There was no grass, there was just dirt.”
Peter Rafter was joined by Petero Civoniceva and Billy Slater on one of his outback tours.(Supplied: Peter Rafter)
Mr Rafter often had the Origin stars themselves join him on tour.
He said the players got just as much out of it as the kids they visited.
“There was a big drought relief day out there at Ilfracombe and we had Petero Civoniceva and Billy Slater,” he said.
Kurt Capewell celebrates after scoring a try during Game 1 of the 2021 State of Origin series.(AAP: Scott Radford-Chisholm)
“And Billy was out there just kicking the ball with the kids, and I said ‘Oh mate, we’ve got to get moving’ and he said ‘Just a bit longer.’
“I looked at it and these kids were kicking a football with the Australian fullback and he just wanted to stay with the kids.”
He said most recently he has had Kurt Capewell attend an event in his home town of Charleville.
“He just walks around the place. The kids absolutely adore him and he is so good for the community,” Mr Rafter said.
“He’s just such a basic country guy.”
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Source:: ABC News
