Cutters Help Mates

January 23, 2012

Courtesy of the Daily Mercury

HAVING undergone a knee reconstruction himself, Neil Budworth can relate to the fundraising efforts of the STM Mackay Cutters yesterday.

Senior team members Budworth and Jardine Bobongie were among Cutters who held a carwash at Porters in the city to raise money for the club's player welfare fund, which will be used to help meet the costs endured by injured players.

"It's really a good cause, because in the past we've had players who have had bad injuries such as knee reconstructions and this will help them not to be out of pocket, " Budworth said.

"I had a knee reconstruction so I know what it's like.

"It was a hard time for me because I didn't play for a season.

"It's tough mentally more than physically because you look forward to training and playing so to miss out for a full season is hard, but you push through it.

"Luckily for me at the time I had injury insurance, but not everyone does so this is why we're doing this."

The Cutters hooker, who will be entering his third season for the club when the Queensland Cup kicks off on March 10, said he had gained in experience from playing for Wales in the Four Nations tournament in England in the off-season.

"To play against the top three teams in the world and to play at Wembley is a dream come true," he said.

"I thoroughly enjoyed playing for Wales and I think that for the World Cup in two season's time we'll be a force to be reckoned with.

"I learned a lot from being in camp and playing at that higher level and hopefully I can take that through for the Cutters this season."

He said most of the squad was injury-free and should be right for the first-round away match against Redcliffe Dolphins.


NRL TRIAL

• Cowboys v Titans, Virgin Australia Stadium 7.30pm February 18.
• Other matches: Cowboys v Titans U20; STM Mackay Cutters v CQ Capras.
• Tickets Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre.

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