Gavin Cooper
Encyclopedia
Gavin Cooper is an Australian professional rugby league
player for the North Queensland Cowboys
in the National Rugby League
(NRL). He is currently in his second spell with the Cowboys, having also played in the NRL for the Penrith Panthers
and the Gold Coast Titans
. Cooper primarily plays in the second row, the position he prefers, but has also played in the centres.
Cooper started his NRL career with the Cowboys before moving to the Gold Coast Titans for the club's inaugural season in 2007. A good season made him a contender for selection to Queensland
's State of Origin
team. However, in 2008 Cooper had limited game time for the Titans and accepted a contract to play for the Penrith Panthers from 2009. After two seasons with the Panthers, Cooper returned to the North Queensland Cowboys on a contract for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In 2011 he was a regular member of the Cowboys' first-grade side that made the NRL finals, and was named the team's "Club Person of the Year".
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player for the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
(NRL). He is currently in his second spell with the Cowboys, having also played in the NRL for the Penrith Panthers
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
and the Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club competes in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership. It is the newest of the sixteen clubs in the league, having commenced its...
. Cooper primarily plays in the second row, the position he prefers, but has also played in the centres.
Cooper started his NRL career with the Cowboys before moving to the Gold Coast Titans for the club's inaugural season in 2007. A good season made him a contender for selection to Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
's State of Origin
State of Origin
State of Origin is the name used in Australia for one existing sporting event which involves domestic representative teams. The term, when used in isolation, usually refers to rugby league football, and occassionally Australian Football matches, in which players are selected for the Australian...
team. However, in 2008 Cooper had limited game time for the Titans and accepted a contract to play for the Penrith Panthers from 2009. After two seasons with the Panthers, Cooper returned to the North Queensland Cowboys on a contract for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In 2011 he was a regular member of the Cowboys' first-grade side that made the NRL finals, and was named the team's "Club Person of the Year".