Sport
7 October, 2025
Ladies return for Fantin Cup
OCTOBER 25 sees the return of the Fantin Cup to the lush fields of Dimbulah Football Park.
As always, not only does the event pay tribute to the late Bruno Fantin’s legacy of football to the area, but we also remember a bygone era and those before us who not only were part of a foundation of building football but of building a community.
A majority of these pioneers were European migrants and they brought their game to the region with a passion. The local Mareeba/Dimbulah rivalry was renowned and, as a tribute to the past, the local derby is relived every year.
Previous years have seen the over 45s dinosaurs and under 45s men’s and juniors play, however, this year the event is introducing a ladies game which has already created a lot of excitement amongst past players.
Theirs was a humble beginning starting off as a rag tag team with hand-me-down jerseys without matching pants or socks, but a desire to simply play the game and have fun, forging friendships and memories, and paving the way to elevate women’s sport to a new level.
A pioneer of this era was Tania Ali (nee Cosatta) who played her juniors in Dimbulah and then went on to play for the senior Mareeba ladies team (many of which were Dimbulah girls) in the 90s and beyond 2000.
A Queensland representative and former FNQ senior player of the year, Tania is lacing up the boots again to play for her hometown and has lost none of her form or fitness. In fact, she was seriously being considered to play for the men’s over 45s.
There will be many former Mareeba/Dimbulah girls playing and it will be a wonderful spectacle to see them together again having a good time and reliving the memories.
The under 45s will be playing first at 4.30pm, followed by the ladies and junior’s at 6.15pm, and finishing with the Dinosaurs at 7.30pm.
Presentations and entertainment will round out the night, and camping is available.
