Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr was full of praise for the Port Douglas Reef Raiders rugby union team who won the 2020 premiership after defeating Wanderers 29-24 in this A-Grade final at Barlow Park on Saturday.
  
The club also had a field day taking all the trophies on hand. They won the Premiers, Minor Premiers and Hambo 10s Champs.

“It was absolutely fantastic to see the Port Douglas Reef Raiders bring home a FNQ Rugby premiership for the first time since 2014.

RELATED:
- Raiders rise to occasion to win premiership

“I would like to congratulate all of the players, coaching staff and supporters who helped re-build the club in the past three years.

“It wasn’t that long ago when the club was struggling to pull a team together and had to withdraw from the season, so it is a real testament to their hard work and dedication that they are able to bring the premiership trophy back to Douglas Shire.

“In recent times, our region has proven to be a real success story in the regional sporting competitions and I am sure that this will continue,” said Kerr.

The Raiders can now lay claim to being the top side in FNQ and this win emulated their 2014 premiership. They proved that intense grit, hard work and commitment can lead a team to success.

The club had been in the wilderness for a period, but under coach Travis Gooch, now into his second year; he first guided the team to an elimination final last year. And this year, he brought home the ultimate prize.