The beloved Corey Jensen U7 Carnival is back — and it’s bigger, brighter, and bouncier than ever before.
Held at Denison Park on Sunday, this year’s event brought together Under 7 teams from across the Whitsundays and Burdekin regions, all united for a massive day of junior footy fun in honour of Bowen’s own NRL star, Corey Jensen.
The carnival — which has quickly become a calendar highlight for grassroots league — featured over 200 players across 20 teams, each taking the field in short-sided, fast-paced matches that celebrated teamwork, inclusion, and the sheer joy of playing the game. Parents, coaches and volunteers lined the fields, cheering just as loudly for great sportsmanship as they did for tries.
"It’s not about who scores the most points - it’s about who has the biggest smile"
The carnival is named after Corey Jensen, the Brisbane Broncos prop who started his footy journey right here in Bowen as a Seagulls junior. Corey has remained a proud supporter of the club and continues to inspire the next generation with his humble nature, work ethic, and community roots.
With more clubs already putting their hands up for next year, the Corey Jensen U7 Carnival is quickly becoming a regional tradition — one that celebrates not just rugby league, but community spirit, local pride, and the power of sport to bring people together.
We’re so proud to have someone like Corey showing kids that it’s possible to chase your dreams from a small town like Bowen,” said Seagulls President Kurt Gaudry. “This carnival is about planting that same seed of belief in the next wave of young players.
As the crowd swells and parents jostle for shade along Queens Road and the clubhouse veranda, all eyes will be on the real stars of the day - the fearless Under 7s weaving through defenders with grit, grin, and guts.
