The Townsville Blackhawks have officially finalised their playing group for the 2026 Cyril Connell Cup, naming a 17-strong squad of the region's most promising under-17s rugby league talent. The announcement sets the stage for the next generation of North Queensland stars to compete in the prestigious Queensland Rugby League development competition.
Meet the 2026 Blackhawks Cyril Connell Cup Squad
The club has confirmed a roster brimming with potential, featuring players from across North Queensland. The full squad list for the Townsville Blackhawks' 2026 campaign is as follows:
- Zac Amituanai
- Jett Beach
- Riley Brown
- Noah Cook
- Lachlan Crisp
- Ryan Doherty
- Kyan Gela
- Braydon Guivarra
- Zac Herdegen
- Brodie Johnson
- Ryley Jones
- Will Ketchup
- Zane Knowles
- Jhett McCartney
- Kalani Skipper
- Lachlan Smith
- Jai Tonga
This group represents the core of players who will carry the Blackhawks' hopes in the competition designed to bridge the gap between junior club football and the elite National Rugby League pathway.
A Critical Pathway to the NRL
The Cyril Connell Cup is a vital stepping stone in the Queensland rugby league landscape. As an under-17s competition, it serves as a direct feeder into the higher-level Mal Meninga Cup (under-18s) and subsequently into the NRL's professional systems. For the Townsville Blackhawks, this squad is the first formalised group in their alignment with the North Queensland Cowboys, ensuring a streamlined talent pipeline from the region to the NRL club.
Success in this tournament is about more than just winning games. It is about player identification, skill development, and preparing young athletes for the rigours of professional sport. Scouts from the Cowboys and other NRL clubs will be watching the Blackhawks' progress closely, looking for the next superstar to emerge from North Queensland.
Building the Future for North Queensland Rugby League
The selection of this 2026 squad underscores the Blackhawks' and Cowboys' commitment to nurturing local talent. By investing in a structured development program, the aim is to keep the region's best young players at home, providing them with a clear path to the NRL without having to relocate to Sydney or Brisbane prematurely.
This approach not only benefits the players but also strengthens the community's connection to the game. Seeing local juniors progress through the Cyril Connell Cup and potentially into the NRL inspires the next wave of youngsters and solidifies rugby league's place in the sporting culture of Townsville and wider North Queensland.
The announcement marks the beginning of a crucial two-year preparation cycle for these 17 athletes. Their journey in the Blackhawks' colours will be one to watch as they develop their skills, build teamwork, and compete against the best young talent Queensland has to offer, all with the dream of one day wearing the Cowboys jersey in the NRL.
