Sport
20 March, 2025
33 Years of Tradition Kicks On
Southern Downs rugby league clubs the Warwick Cowboys and the Wattles Warriors take to the turf at Warwick’s iconic Father Ranger Oval this Saturday evening for the hotly contested Barrett Family Shield & pre-season trials.
The local derby games, highlighted by the first-grade clash for the highly esteemed Shield, will kick off their 2025 Toowoomba Rugby League on field campaign for both clubs, and additionally Wattles 60th year since club formation.
The Cowboys were to match up in a trial against South Coast club the Helensvale Hornets in an early season trial on March 15th, but weather concerns saw the match cancelled.
Saturday will see the 33rd contest between the Cowboys and the Warriors for the honour of hoisting the Shield that has evolved into the prize for pre-season Southern Downs league supremacy since the silverware was introduced at Father Ranger Oval for the season opener in 1993.
Since the inaugural clash for the coveted shield, the Warwick Cowboys have claimed success on eighteen occasions, with Wattles finishing winners in thirteen matches, the 2000 season producing the only draw at 8 all.
Saturday evening’s player of the match will receive the prestigious Terry Doyle Memorial Medallion, the award presented since 2011, won last year by Wattles fullback Jackson Green.
The medallion winners list features some of the Southern Downs outstanding players over the past fourteen years.
Warwick half/hooker Ben Sullivan a sensational three-time winner in 2018, 2019 & 2021; outstanding Wattles halfback Matt Duggan a two-time winner in 2013 & 2020 and Cowboys classy English forward Garry Ellery, also a two-time player of the match winner in 2012 & 2014.
Cowboys Coach Col Speed and Wattles’ mentor Travis Burns certainly agree on the point that the opposition in Barrett Shield trials are tough units to roll, “our local derby’s breed a fierce competitive atmosphere,” said Burns.
“We are certainly looking forward to the Shield clash with Wattles” said Speed, “both sides always lift for this occasion and give their all with respect to the Barrett Family and their association with both clubs.”
The concept for the Shield that has become a tradition in rugby league circles across south west Queensland was born at a Wattles Club committee meeting in 1992, the result of a suggestion that a trophy be introduced for the annual Wattles verses Warwick trial.
Wattles President Mary Hamblin (nee Barrett) offered a trophy in the Barrett family’s name.
The Barrett name is synonymous with rugby league throughout the Darling Downs and South West Queensland region, boasting strong league links in the Southern Downs area especially, the family entrenched in the Warwick and Wattles Clubs.
The Toowoomba Rugby League can boast a no more intensely contested encounter in the crank up for the 2025 season on the Southern Downs, President Dayne Barrett and his Warwick Cowboys committee are expecting an overwhelming crowd at Father Ranger Oval.
Barrett Family Shield and Pre-Season Trials - Saturday 22nd March 2025, Father Ranger Oval, Warwick - Warwick Cowboys v Wattles Warriors
Gates Open - 2.15 pm
Under 19 - 3.30 pm
Reserve Grade - 5.00 pm
A Grade - 6.30 pm
Glyn Rees
