Global Information2020 Northern Pride RLFC season information
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The Pride |
| Colours |  Black, teal and gold |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Website | northernpride.com.au |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| CEO | Mark Quinn (2018-) |
| Coach | Ty Williams (2017-) |
| Competition | Queensland Cup |
 Home colours | |
 Current season | |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 2 (2010/2014) |
| Runners-up | 1 (2009) |
| Minor premierships | 1 (2013/2014) |
2020 was the thirteenth competitive season for the Cairns based Kenfrost Homes Northern Pride Rugby League Football Club. They were one of 14 clubs that competed in the twenty-fifth season of Queensland's top rugby league competition, QRL's Hostplus Cup. The Northern Pride were due to play 12 home games and 11 away games over 23 rounds between March and August, but the season was cancelled after Round One due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the season was cancelled, the Pride played three pre-season trials, two of which attracted large crowds - the trial against the Blackhawks was a curtain-raiser to the NRL Cowboys v Broncos pre-season trial, and the Pride's trial against the Hunters attracted a large ex-pat following.
Coach Ty Williams named a new six-man 'leadership group' composed of Javid Bowen, Rod Griffin, Matolu Laumea, Patrick Gallen, Tom McGrath, and new recruit Josh Stuckey.[1] From this group Williams chose Javid Bowen as captain , and Rod Griffin as vice-captain.
A new three-year naming rights sponsor, Kenfrost Homes was announced in December 2019. The Pride had been without a major sponsor since the Sea Swift sponsorship ended in 2017.[2] The Pride are one of five QCup sides that do not have the financial backing of a major leagues club.
Before Round One, the QRL adopted the NRL's COVID-19 guidelines, which included a 'no fans' policy, meaning the games would be played before empty grandstands.[3]
On 17 March, two days after the completion of Round One, QRL announced the competition would be suspended for ten weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] It was hoped QCup would resume with Round 12 in June, but the rapidly deteriorating situation with the pandemic meant on 26 March the Queensland Government announced Stage 1 Restrictions on movements across the Queensland border, which would affect NSW club Tweed Heads Seagulls, PNG club SP Hunters, and the feeder arrangements that Easts Tigers and SC Falcons had with the Melbourne Storm and the Ipswich Jets had with Newcastle Knights. Consequently, the next day QRL cancelled the competition for the 2020 season.[5] QRL managing director Robert Moore stated, "by making this announcement now, it provides our clubs with the opportunity to re-set and turn their attention towards the 2021 season".[6] The Pride reduced to a staff of three, with the CEO, Coach and Commercial Manager Alannah Giuffrida retained on reduced wages.[7] Many of the Pride's New Zealand players returned home before the NZ border closed.
In the absence of football, the Cairns Post ran a series ranking the top fifty Northern Pride players from the last 12 seasons.[8]
As the year progressed, there was talk of staging some games, with the Pride, Blackhawks, Cutters and CQ Capras playing a Northern Championship, but travel costs were prohibitive and the idea was abandoned.[9]
In August the 'Kenfrost Homes Lightning Challenge' was held between two CDRL clubs (Brothers Cairns and Tully Tigers), and two teams from the Pride. The Pride combined their ISC side with their HDC U-20s side to make the 'Pride Giants' and 'Pride Reef Kings'. Games were played in Cairns and Tully over six rounds.[10] Pride coach Ty Williams took a back seat, leaving the coaching to Bevan Walker, Pride's ISC assistant coach, and Dave Scott, Pride's HDC U-20 coach.[11] Controversially, two of Brothers Cairns games were abandoned when match officials were abused.[12] The 'Pride Reef Kings' were undefeated and won the competition.[13]
At the end of the season, Northern Pride football operations manager Chey Bird resigned.[14] CEO Tony Williamson also resigned.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (21 January 2020). "Northern Pride name leadership group for 2020 season". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (21 March 2020). "Pride certain they can survive impact of rugby league shutdown". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (15 March 2020). "Northern Pride taking steps to avoid coronavirus". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2020/05/18/qrl-coronavirus-updates/[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Four QRL statewide competitions cancelled for 2020". 27 March 2020.
- ^ "NRL 2020: Second-tier competitions shutdown for the 2020 season - QRL". 27 March 2020.
- ^ McInerney, Matthew (26 March 2020). "Coronavirus forces Northern Pride to cut staff to keep club alive". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (8 May 2020). "Northern Pride's best players, #50-#1". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (3 June 2020). "Northern Pride to help game thrive in footy-starved Far North". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (13 July 2020). "Intrust Super Cup rivals not on Northern Pride's radar". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (23 August 2020). "Northern Pride young guns shine in Lightning Challenge". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (19 August 2020). "Lightning Challenge: Reason why clash was called off early". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (23 August 2020). "Northern Pride young guns shine in Lightning Challenge". Cairns Post. Cairns.
- ^ Sparkes, Rowan (20 August 2020). "Northern Pride club legend retires from role". Cairns Post. Cairns.