The Cairns Cyclones were a rugby league team that competed in the QRL Queensland Cup competition from 1996 to 2000. The inaugural 1996 team included the Captain/Coach and six first grade players from CDRL's Smithfield-based Ivanhoes Rugby League Club. History After a great first year in 1996 when they made the Preliminary Finals, they dropped down the ladder in subsequent seasons, finishing in last place in 2000. A lack of support from locals and other Cairns rugby league clubs, combined with increasing financial difficulties, meant the Cyclones withdrew from the Competition at the end of the 2000 season. North Queensland was represented in the Queensland Cup from 2002-2007 by the Townsville North Queensland Young Guns, who were a feeder club to the North Queensland Cowboys. (The Queensland Cup was known as the Bundy Gold Cup from 2000-2001, the Queensland Cup from 2002-2004 and the Queensland Wizard Cup from 2005-2007). In 2008 the rationalisation of rugby league below the NRL level meant the North Queensland Young Guns entered the NRL under 20's competition and the northern expansion of the Queensland Cup saw the establishment of a new Cairns-based QRL side, the Northern Pride. Staff Manager: Nigel Tillett Coach: Gary Smith (19961999, formerly CDRL Ivanhoes Knights), Brad Tessman (2000). Colours The Cyclones' colours were traditionally green, white and gold. Home ground The Cyclones' home ground was Barlow Park in Cairns. The playing field is 114 metres long (100 metres of field plus two 7 metre in goal areas) by 68 metres wide. The facility is floodlit for night games with four towers providing 620 lux. The venue has a capacity of 15,000 which includes 1,700 seats (mostly undercover). The car park can accommodate approximately 300 vehicles. 1996 season - 8 home games (won 5, lost 3) 1997 season - 7 home games (won 3, drew 1, lost 3) 1998 season - 7 home games (won 1, drew 1, lost 5) 1999 season - 7 home games (won 3, lost 4) 2000 season - home games (won, lost ) Seasons 1996 Season Channel Nine Cup: Finished 5th on the Premiership table after winning 10 of their 15 games. Lost the Preliminary semi-final 12-16 to Easts Tigers at Barlow Park. 1997 Season Channel Nine Cup 1998 Season Queensland Cup 1999 Season Queensland Cup 2000 Season Bundy Gold CupCairns Cyclones Bundy Gold Cup 2000 season statistics can be found here. Cairns Cyclones Players (and seasons