Ray Thompson (rugby league) facts for kids

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Ray Thompson

Personal information
Full name	Raymond Thompson
Born	(1990-01-20) 20 January 1990 (age 35) Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Height	175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	85 kg (13 st 5 lb)
Playing information
Position	Halfback, Five-eighth, Hooker
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2009–17 North Qld Cowboys 111 14 0 0 56 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2011 PNG Prime Minister's XIII 1 1 0 0 4 2011–15 Papua New Guinea 4 1 0 0 4 2015 Indigenous All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
As of 9 November 2023

Ray Thompson (born 20 January 1990), often called "Ray-Ray", is a former rugby league player. He played for the Papua New Guinea national team and was also part of the Indigenous All Stars. Ray spent his entire professional career with the North Queensland Cowboys in Australia's top league, the National Rugby League (NRL). He played in different positions like five-eighth, halfback, and hooker.

Ray Thompson's Early Life

Ray Thompson was born in Cairns, Queensland. His family background includes both Indigenous Australian and Papua New Guinean heritage. As a young player, he played junior rugby league for the Centrals ASA Tigers. He also went to Kirwan State High School.

When Ray was 17, the North Queensland Cowboys signed him. In 2007, he played a game for the North Queensland Young Guns. This was a team linked to the Cowboys, and it helped him get ready for the Under 20s competition that started in 2008. In 2008, Ray played 21 matches in the NYC. He was one of the team's top scorers, playing as a halfback.

In 2009, during the first game of the NYC season, Ray hurt his shoulder. He needed surgery, which kept him from playing until later in the season. After his recovery, he played 7 more games.

Ray Thompson's Professional Career

Starting in the NRL (2009-2010)

In 2009, Ray Thompson made his first appearance in the NRL. He played for the Cowboys against the Sydney Roosters in the final round of the season. He came off the bench in a game the Cowboys won 32–16. This was his only NRL game that year.

In 2010, Ray played in the first three games of the NYC season. Then, he was called up to the Cowboys' NRL team. He played well in a few games before another shoulder injury ended his season early.

Becoming a Key Player (2011-2013)

The 2011 season was a big one for Ray. He worked hard to earn a spot as the team's five-eighth. He played in all 25 of the Cowboys' matches that year. In one game against the Penrith Panthers, he scored his first NRL try. At the end of the season, he was named the Cowboys' Most Improved Player.

In September 2011, Ray played for Papua New Guinea against the Australia Prime Minister's XIII team. He was named Papua New Guinea's best player in that game. He helped set up two tries and scored one himself.

In 2012, Ray started the season as the team's halfback. He played well, but his season ended early when he needed his third shoulder surgery. He scored 5 tries in 18 matches that year.

In 2013, Ray often played as a hooker. In a game against the Penrith Panthers, he scored three tries in just 11 minutes! He was the first NRL player to make 50 tackles and score three tries in the same match. Later that season, his year ended when he broke his jaw. Ray played in 19 matches and scored 3 tries in 2013. He also played for Papua New Guinea in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Later Career and Retirement (2014-2017)

In 2014, Ray was part of the Cowboys team that won the first-ever 2014 Auckland Nines tournament. He played in 22 matches and scored one try that year.

In 2015, Ray played for the Indigenous All Stars team. They won their match against the NRL All Stars. He also played for Papua New Guinea against Fiji in the Melanesian Cup. Ray was the 18th man for the Cowboys in the 2015 NRL Grand Final, which they won. He played 9 matches and scored one try that season.

In 2016, Ray was again named in the Cowboys' Auckland Nines squad. However, he injured his ankle before the All Stars match and missed several weeks of playing. He returned to play later in the season. In his 100th NRL game, he scored two tries and was named Man of the Match.

On 8 August 2017, Ray Thompson announced he would retire from rugby league. He made this decision because of ongoing knee injuries. On 1 October, he was the 18th man for the Cowboys in their 2017 NRL Grand Final loss. On 6 October, he was honored as the Cowboys' Club Person of the Year.

Achievements and Awards

Individual Awards

• North Queensland Cowboys Club Person of the Year: 2017
• North Queensland Cowboys Most Improved: 2011

Team Achievements

• 2014 NRL Auckland Nines: North Queensland Cowboys – Winners

Statistics

NRL Games

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2009	North Queensland Cowboys	1	0	0	—	0	0
2010		4	0	0	—	0	0
2011		25	1	0	—	0	4
2012		18	5	0	—	0	20
2013		19	3	0	—	0	12
2014		22	1	0	—	0	4
2015		9	1	0	—	0	4
2016		7	3	0	—	0	12
2017		6	0	0	—	0	0
Career totals		111	14	0	—	0	56

International Games

Ray Thompson's Life After Rugby

Ray Thompson is married to Sabrina Galliozzi, and they have a daughter named Ivy Rae. After retiring from playing rugby league, Ray joined the Cowboys' community team. He now works as an engagement and programs officer, helping with community projects. He works alongside his former teammate, Matthew Bowen.