The Northern Pride has provided its 2011 Season Members with the exclusive opportunity to renew their membership of the Club before that of the general public.

Until the 20th January all 2011 Season Members will have the chance to lock in their memberships and secure the best seats in the house for each and every Northern Pride home game of 2012.

As a way of thanking the Pride’s most loyal fans the club will place every renewing member in the draw to win a VIP Experience at Barlow Park for our Round 1 Game against the Ipswich Jets.

This VIP Experience will allow the lucky winner and three (3) friends to watch the team warm up under the guidance of Head Coach David Maiden, before watching the Pride play Ipswich from the luxury of the Barlow Park Corporate Lounge with a premium food and beverage package and VIP Hospitality.

The Northern Pride Membership team has emailed or posted this exclusive invitation to all 2011 Members and are available to speak to all members who have any questions, queries, requests or perhaps just the inside scoop on how well the team is preparing for 2012.

Purchase or Renew Memberships Online Now

Announcing the trial schedule Head Coach David Maiden said that he took into account the club’s strong ties to communities across Far North Queensland as well as the need to see his players test themseleves and perform as a team against top quality opposition.

“Our Pre-Season Schedule will see our club play in Townsville, Moranbah and in front of a blockbuster home crowd at Barlow Park”.

Maiden is particuuarly excited that the first trial of the year will take place in Townsville and see the club’s Intrust Super Cup Team, play on the same field and on the same day as its U16 and U18 Academy sides. ”This pre-season we have focused on ensuring that the celebrated culture of our Intrust Super Cup squad is embedded across the Club so that our youngest players, the stars of the future know what our club stands for and are proud of their football heritage and the community they represent”.

The February 11th Townsville trial will see the Pride’s U16 and U18 side’s play the Townsville Stingers whilst the Intrust Super Cup side will play the North Queensland Cowboys U20′s.

Maiden will field a full strength line up against the Cowboys side.

Another exciting element to the pre-season schedule will be a blockbuster game between the Northern Pride and the Far North Queensland Indigenous All Star’s at Barlow Park.

Maiden commented, “as a footy club we are proud of our roots and are lucky to have strong support from across our region. Our trial against the Far North Queensland Indigenous All Star’s is in partnership with the Take Pride Program and designed to support the development of Rugby League in FNQ and the development of individual athletes”.

The Barlow Park game will see Maiden play a squad made up of senior players and a selection of ‘train and trial’ players keen to make their way into the club’s Top 13.

The final trial of the year will be against regional rivals the Mackay Cutters in Moranbah. This February 25th game will see the Pride field the team likely to run onto Barlow Park in Round 1 of the Intrust Super Cup Season.

Looking ahead to the new season, Maiden said his squad were aiming high.

“We let ourselves down against Tweed (in the semi final last year) and the expectation with the club is that we could have done better, for us, our expectations are high for this year and we are working hard.”

“We are passionate about rewarding the supporters who stuck by us in 2011 and the efforts of the boys at training demonstrates that commitment.”

“We have the squad to do it I think and the new guys will add a lot to the side.”

“I am happy with the depth we have got this year; I think we have a bit more coverage around the park with all positions and these trial games will be a key tool in selecting our top side.”

Skill360 Northern Pride Pre-Season Schedule

February 11. Skill360 Northern Pride VS North Queensland Cowboys U20′s at Townsville.

February 18. Skill360  Northern Pride VS Far North Queensland Indigenous All Star’s at Barlow Park.

February 25. Skill360  Northern Pride VS Mackay Cutters at Moranbah.

Northern Pride Captain Ty Willliams has led the way at Pre-Season Training.