In July 2024, the Hope Vale Foundation sponsored The Future Immortals Tour to visit Hope Vale.
Organised by the Arthur Beetson Foundation (ABF), the Tour honours the legacy of Arthur Beetson, the first Indigenous captain of an Australian national team and a Rugby League Immortal.
These Tours continue Arthur Beetson’s dedication to community service and youth development, leveraging rugby league to drive positive change. By bringing former national rugby league (NRL) greats to regional and remote communities, the Tour offers cultural, social, and sporting activities as a tool to address issues such as men’s mental health and school attendance while inspiring youth with shared experiences.
Established by Beetson’s sons after his passing in 2011, the ABF promotes healthy living and partners with the Queensland Murri Carnival and the University of NSW to explore future pathways for children, emphasising both rugby league and education.
Ambassador Petero Civoniceva highlights the Tour’s role in creating lasting memories and fostering community engagement, reflecting his broader work with organisations like Deadly Choices and Queensland Rugby League.
The event provided coaching clinics by former NRL stars, offering children and community members valuable interactions and culminating in the main game between the Future Immortals Team and the South Cape Cluster team. The final score? It was a tie!
Participating in the Future Immortals Tour opened doors for the possibility of some select Hope Vale players to compete in the Queensland Murri Carnival (QMC). To qualify for the QMC, players must undergo a health check and maintain a 90% school attendance rate, effectively promoting both health awareness and educational engagement among participants.
As the Future Immortals Tour expands, it aims to extend Beetson’s vision of inspiring, educating, and uplifting communities, ensuring his enduring influence on Australian sport and society.
Words from former professional rugby league players in the 2024 Future Immortals Tour:
“Hope Vale is a beautiful place, and the strength within the community is the beauty of the people and its close family connections; and the country is fantastic. It’s just a joy to come here and see all the kids happy and excited,” Brad Beetson, Arthur Beetson’s son.
“It’s not just about rugby league. We use the vehicle of rugby league to give back to communities by delivering positive messaging,” Petero Civoniceva, ABF Ambassador.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’ve got a dream then you can achieve it,” Brenton Bowen, Healthy Choices Ambassador.
