Thursday Island's junior rugby league team has been named National Club of the Year in this year's NRL Community Awards.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Moynihan, Officer in Charge of Thursday Island Police Station, has been involved with the Zenadth Kes Junior Rugby League team for four years now, as a coach, sports trainer and referee.
He took over as club president last year.
The club has gone from strength to strength, first being named Queensland Community Club of the Year and now the National Club of the Year.
Senior Sergeant Moynihan believes that his experience as a coach has made him a better police officer and a better officer in charge.
"You need to be a good team player, you need resilience, compassion and you need to think about how you represent your club," he said.
Senior Sergeant Moynihan has been playing rugby league since he was a young boy and his love of the game continued through his 22 years in the Queensland Police Service.
Senior Sergeant Moynihan has worked all over Queensland, and it didn't matter whether he was in Toowoomba or Mount Isa, the Tablelands or Cape York, he said he always made sure to join the local football club.
"Rugby league has given me a way to meet new people, make new connections and break down barriers between the police and the public," he said.
"I love having the team here on Thursday Island.
"It allows me to make connections with the kids and their families and build a platform of respect and trust.
"It helps me every day as a police officer."
Other Thursday Island police officers have also become involved in the club, providing tasty sausages for training sessions and taking their roles as cheer squad very seriously.
Congratulations to the Zenadth Kes Junior Rugby League Team on being named National Club of the Year!
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