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 January 20, 1990), also known as "Ray-Ray", is a former professional rugby league footballer. He played for the Papua New Guinea international team. Ray also represented the Indigenous All Stars. He spent his whole professional career with the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL). He mostly played as a five-eighth, halfback, or hooker.

Ray Thompson's Early Life

Ray Thompson was born in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. His family has roots in both Indigenous Australian and Papua New Guinean cultures.

He started playing junior rugby league for the Centrals ASA Tigers. Ray also went to Kirwan State High School. The North Queensland Cowboys signed him when he was just 17 years old in 2007.

In 2007, Ray played one game for the Cowboys' junior team, the North Queensland Young Guns. This helped him get ready for the new Under 20s competition in 2008. In 2008, Ray played 21 matches in the NYC. He was one of the team's top scorers, playing as a halfback.

At the start of the 2009 NYC season, Ray hurt his shoulder. He needed surgery, which kept him from playing until Round 19. After his surgery, he played 7 more games that season.

Ray Thompson's Playing Career

First NRL Games: 2009-2010

In 2009, Ray Thompson made his first appearance in the NRL. He played for the Cowboys against the Sydney Roosters in Round 26. He came off the bench as a replacement player. The Cowboys won that game 32–16. This was his only NRL game for the 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 Rounds 4-7. However, another shoulder injury sadly kept him out for the rest of the season.

Becoming a Key Player: 2011-2013

Before the 2011 season, Ray competed for the five-eighth position. He won the spot and played in all 25 of the Cowboys' matches. In Round 21 against the Penrith Panthers, Ray scored his first NRL try. The Cowboys won 30–18. At the end of the season, he was named the Cowboys' most improved player.

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

In 2012, Ray competed for the halfback position. He started the year as the main halfback. In May 2012, he signed a new contract with the Cowboys until the end of 2015. In Round 23, Ray got another shoulder injury. This meant he needed his third shoulder surgery. He scored 5 tries in 18 matches in 2012.

In 2013, Ray often played as a hooker, sharing the role with Rory Kostjasyn. In Round 22 against the Penrith Panthers, Ray scored three tries in one game! He was the first NRL player to make 50 tackles and score three tries in a single match. His tries came within just 11 minutes.

Later in 2013, Ray's season ended early. He broke his jaw during a game. He finished the 2013 NRL season with 3 tries from 19 matches. Ray was also chosen to play for Papua New Guinea in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. He played in all 3 of their games.

Later Career and Retirement: 2014-2017

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

In 2015, Ray played in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines again. He was also selected to play hooker for the Indigenous All Stars team. They won their game 20–6. Ray played for Papua New Guinea again in May 2015. He extended his contract with the Cowboys until the end of the 2017 season. Ray was the 18th man for the Cowboys in the 2015 NRL Grand Final. He finished the 2015 NRL season with one try from 9 matches.

In 2016, Ray was named in the Cowboys' Auckland Nines squad. However, he injured his ankle before the 2016 All Stars match. This injury kept him out of action for about 12 to 14 weeks. He returned in Round 12. In Round 13, Ray played his 100th NRL game. He scored 2 tries and was named the best player of the match. The Cowboys won 46–16.

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

• 2014 NRL Auckland Nines: North Queensland Cowboys – Winners

Statistics

NRL Games

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2016 season

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 and his partner, Sabrina Galliozzi, have a daughter named Ivy Rae. After retiring from playing, Ray joined the Cowboys' community team. He now works as an engagement and programs officer, helping in the community alongside his former teammate, Matthew Bowen.