THOUSANDS of Toyota Cowboys fans - the young and and the young at heart - have taken home autographs, photographs, posters and happy memories from the recent 2013 Community Day at Townsville RSL Stadium.
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The annual public launch of the NRL season was another huge hit as North Queensland's 2013 NRL squad met the fans just a week out from the start of pre-season, in the first event of the Cowboys on Tour month.
The two hours of free entertainment included performances from the 1RAR band and Spirit cheersquad.
Members and supporters who came along were also able to pick up a Townsville Bulletin showbag, the Cowboys' official 2013 team poster, and enter competitions to win a signed 2013 Cowboys jersey and tickets to sit in the XXXX Queenslander for a game of their choice this season.
There was plenty of fun for the kids on the mechanical bull ride, jumping castles and velcro wall, as well as learning rugby league skills with the Cowboys development team and NYC leadership group players.
It was also a great opportunity to say hello to the newest Cowboys Clint Greenshields, Rory Kostjasyn, Scott Moore and Curtis Rona as well as meet many of the players who took the club to the NRL finals in 2012, including co-captain Matthew Scott, NRL All Stars selection James Tamou and Cowboys membership ambassador Tariq Sims.
Along with the Cowboys coaching staff headed by Neil Henry, they were introduced to the fans on stage and were then available to sign autographs throughout the two hours.
"Every time we have one of these events, the crowd seems to get bigger, which is great for the club," co-captain Matthew Scott said.
"We're a community-based team, and over the next few weeks we're going to be able to see thousands of people who love the Cowboys.
"It certainly makes you realise how much support we have and how close the season is."
There'll be another chance for members and supporters in the Townsville region to meet their Cowboys before the first home game next month.
A special open training session will be held at Townsville Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, March 13, in the lead-up to the clash against the reigning premiers Melbourne Storm on Saturday, March 16.
There was also an open training at Alec Inch Oval in Mt Isa on Friday, February 8
Another session will be held in Barlow Park in Cairns on Friday, February 15, and Virgin Australia Stadium in Mackay on February 22.
