Against All Odds: The Mount Isa Barbarians’ Road to Cairns
- Selai Draunidalo
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Forged in the Outback. United by Heart.
The Mount Isa Barbarians 7s team have just returned from Cairns - tired, bruised, but proud. For many of us, this trip wasn’t just about playing rugby. It was about proving that our small outback city could stand tall among the big names of North Queensland.
From the very beginning, our dream as a club has been to take the sport we love, rugby sevens, beyond the boundaries of Mount Isa. To compete, to learn, to grow, and to show the rest of Australia that the “Oasis of the Outback” has more than mines and dust - it has heart, resilience, and community.
But if you’ve been following our journey on our website or socials, you’ll know it hasn’t been an easy road. Forming a sports club from scratch in Mount Isa was never going to be simple. Some said it wouldn’t work. Others didn’t understand why we’d even try. There were seasons where we struggled to form a full squad. Some weekends, we weren’t sure who would show up to wear our colors. Loyalty was hard to come by, but belief never wavered.
Because beneath all the setbacks, the Barbarians were founded on something deeper than sport. We were built on loyalty, on blood, and on friendship. Those of us who started this club, we’re family, whether by birth or by bond. That’s what’s kept us standing when the odds said we shouldn’t be here at all.
So when we ran out onto that field in Cairns, it wasn’t just about rugby. It was about representing Mount Isa, our home, our people, our pride. Every tackle, every try, every cheer from the sidelines carried the spirit of the Outback with it.
The Journey to the Fiji Airways Cairns 7s tournament
Coming off the back of the Mount Isa World Series 7s Clusters, which ran for five long months, we were already drained, physically, emotionally, and financially. Yet, the fire was still burning. We wanted to be part of the Fiji Airways Cairns 7s tournament.
But as always, forming a team was a battle. There were people who thrived on the idea of seeing us fail. Word was loose, promises were broken, and trust was rare. Still, the heart of our club, the small governing body that has carried this dream from day one, refused to give up.
Our President, a veteran both on the rugby field and in the Mount Isa community, once again stepped up. His reputation and standing across the region helped us find the players we needed. He made calls, reached out to old mates, and opened doors that only someone with deep roots and respect in the game could.
The rest of us, did what we could to make it happen. We fundraised, we worked extra hours, and we dug deep into our own pockets. And we have no regrets. Because in the end, every sacrifice was worth it.
In Cairns, we not only got to play - we got to win. The Mount Isa Barbarians 7s brought home the Bowl. But more importantly, we met players who were proud to wear our colors, to represent Mount Isa, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with us on that field. Finally, words were no longer empty promises carried by the wind.
A World-Class Tournament
It needs to be said that the Fiji Airways Cairns 7s tournament was one of the best-organized events we’ve ever attended in Australia. From the moment we arrived, we felt valued and supported. The organizers should be incredibly proud because what they delivered was nothing short of world class.
We were emotional heading down to Cairns. Out of all those who had shown interest in joining, only one player turned up to make the trip - along with four of our committee members: our President, Manager/Player, Secretary, and Committee Member/Player. And yes, when we’re short on players, these men don’t hesitate. They lace up, step on the field, and play for the badge, no questions asked. That’s the kind of heart this club is built on.
We left Mount Isa feeling heavy, but we returned with our hearts full. We came home with smiles, with pride, and with new friendships forged in sweat and respect. We made a mark in Cairns, not just on the scoreboard but in spirit. We put Mount Isa on the map once again and that’s something no one can take away from us.
Looking Ahead
We know this is just the beginning. The connections we made in Cairns have opened doors for future tournaments. We met players who have already expressed interest in joining us again, and that alone means the world.
If you’re interested in playing for the Mount Isa Barbarians 7s team, reach out to us on Facebook, through our website, or email us at team@mountisabarbarians.info. And if you’re a business or individual who wants to support us through sponsorship, we’d love to hear from you too.
Our Gratitude
To God be the glory in all things we do. May His blessings follow us wherever we go and in whatever we do.
A big thank you to our Bala brothers from the Torres Strait in Cairns - The Bala Drifters, our Fijian brothers in Townsville and Ayr, and Ben Waqa, our star player from Mount Isa. Special thanks also go out to Nigel of the Mount Isa Rugby Union for reigniting rugby union in Mount Isa and for supporting with merchandise and putting the word out there for us.
To all our workmates, friends, family, and to our Yatu Lau family and Barbarians volleyball team, thank you for your never-ending support. You are the heartbeat behind every try, every tackle, and every victory.
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