Sport
7 September, 2026
New era for Northern Pride
NORTH Queensland Cowboys are taking over control of Cairns-based Northern Pride.
The Cowboys are increasing their investment in Pride and assuming operational responsibility for the club, holding three positions on the restructured five-member Northern Pride board. Pride chairwoman Kym McPhee-Smith will retain her role.
The announcement on Wednesday said it “secures the long-term sustainability of the Pride, providing the club with the financial backing, governance support and administrative oversight of the Cowboys while strengthening rugby league pathways across the region”.
Operationally, there will be no major changes at the Pride, with Hostplus Cup head coach Sam Williams and BMD Premiership head coach Colin Wilkie remaining in their roles.
The football relationship between the Cowboys and Pride also remains unchanged under the existing affiliation agreement, which runs through to 2028.
Cowboys Football Club CEO Michael Luck said the investment reflected the Cowboys’ unwavering commitment to ensuring rugby league continued to thrive across Far North Queensland for generations to come.
“The operating model for standalone Queensland Cup clubs can become vulnerable at times due to competition structures, local economic conditions, affiliate relationships and a range of other factors,” he said.
“This long-term commitment from the Cowboys to support and strengthen the governance, strategy and financial position of the Northern Pride provides certainty for the club and ensures its ongoing sustainability across the Hostplus Cup, BMD Premiership and junior pathways competitions.
“Far North Queensland has always been an incredibly important part of the Cowboys family. The region has produced more players to wear Cowboys jerseys than any other area within our footprint and the connection between our club and the communities of Cairns, the Cape and Torres Strait runs deep.”
Ms McPhee-Smith said the board had approached the decision with a clear responsibility to protect the identity, culture and foundations that have made the Northern Pride such an important part of Far North Queensland.
“The Northern Pride is financially and organisationally strong because of the loyalty of our members, sponsors and community,” she said.
“However, the operating landscape for Queensland Cup clubs continues to evolve. Our responsibility as a board was to secure the club’s future on our own terms, rather than allow that changing landscape to make the decision for us.
“Our focus throughout this process was on what best protects the Northern Pride people, our pathways, our history and our identity, while giving the club the security and support to keep growing. We believe this partnership achieves exactly that.”
Garreth Smith, who has led the club as CEO, announced earlier this year that he would leave the Northern Pride. He will continue to run the club through the transition until his departure on 31 October.
In the meantime, Pride have capped their 2026 season with a double win at Barlow Park.
The Hostplus Cup side recorded a 50-26 win over PNG Hunters, finishing 10th on the ladder, while the BMD Premiership women secured a 24-20 win over Mackay Cutters in the final minutes, finishing seventh.
Although both sides missed the finals, Hostplus Cup head coach Sam Williams said finishing the year with a win gave the playing group the chance to enjoy their final game together and end the season positively.
BMD Premiership head coach Colin Wilkie also highlighted the ongoing development of the women’s program and pathway in Far North Queensland.
