Sport
2 November, 2026
Dimbulah hosts Fantin Cup
FOOTBALL, friendship and decades of community pride came together at Bruno’s Park on Saturday as Dimbulah hosted Mareeba for the Fantin Cup.
The annual gathering carried extra significance this year, with the Dimbulah Barras celebrating their 70th anniversary and welcoming players, families and volunteers from both communities for a day that honoured the club’s past and its continuing place in local life.
Three matches brought together Men’s Under 45s, Ladies, and Men’s Over 45s teams, with the results shared across the two towns and Dimbulah’s women delivering a memorable anniversary victory.
Mareeba claimed the Men’s Under 45s encounter by a solitary goal, securing a narrow victory in the longstanding football rivalry between the neighbouring communities.
Dimbulah had their moment to celebrate, however, with the Ladies recording a 2-1 win over Mareeba. The result provided a fitting highlight for the home club as it marked seven decades of football, giving the anniversary celebrations an additional reason for local pride.
The Men’s Over 45s match, affectionately known as the ‘dinosaurs’ clash, offered another reminder that enthusiasm for the game does not disappear with age.
With some players in their 70s taking the field, the encounter reflected the lasting connections formed through football and the willingness of former players to pull on their boots again for their clubs and communities.
Mareeba came away with a 5-2 victory, completing a successful day for the visitors, who took out both Men’s fixtures while Dimbulah claimed the Ladies honours.
Beyond the scorelines, the occasion belonged to the families and volunteers whose involvement helped bring the two communities together. While the rivalry remained part of the occasion, so too did the pride both towns take in supporting community sport.
From the closely decided Under 45s game to Dimbulah’s Ladies’ victory and the dinosaurs’ return, the Fantin Cup provided an anniversary occasion built around participation, connection and an enduring love of football. It was a milestone shared by two proud communities.
