A GROUP of Jimboomba Thunder Rugby League Club juniors met their NRL heroes at the Indigenous themed Murri Carnival at Albany Creek this week.
The 17 players from Jimboomba Thunder's under six and under 12 age groups took part in 13 games each in a round robin style competition from July 1 to July 3.
NRL legends Steve Renouf and Preston Campbell taught the kids new skills with a series of drills on day one which were applied in competitive games over the following two days.
Patrick Johnson, Petero Civoniceva and current Origin Maroons star David Fifita made appearances during the three day event.
The event was held by Deadly Choices which requires players to undergo a comprehensive health check and complementing health management plan to register for the free event.
Jimboomba photographer Ximena Reyes said more than 300 kids from various sporting clubs took part in the Murri Cup.
"It was an amazing experience for them all meeting new people and some finding friends that they met at the event last year," she said.
"The kid's sporting heroes were walking around and encouraging them with their health, sport and culture.
Father of two Jimboomba Thunder players, Tyson Major, said the player's passion for NRL brought everyone together.
"These boys and girls are represeting their club and Jimboomba with pride," he said.
"They loved it and learned new skills and got some sporting gear including jerseys, socks and water bottles.
"My sons had a couple of laughs and met new kids from the Beaudesert Kingfishers and other clubs around the region."
Former Queensland State of Origin great Petero Civoniceva said the Murri Carnival was set up to inspire Indigenous NRL players to succeed.
"Deadly Choices is well engrained within communities throughout south-east Queensland, ensuring members are healthy, active and obviously educated around what needs to be done to be living a very healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families," he said.
"Programs like the Junior Murri Carnival will hopefully light the fire within our little people in what they want to achieve in life and make positive steps towards achieving those goals and chasing their dreams.
"Rugby league in particular has been synonymous with Indigenous representation from the great Artie Beetson, our first ever Maroons captain in State of Origin; a wonderful man and leader who left a tremendous legacy."
The Preston Campbell Foundation provided healthy meals to all junior players over the three days.