It was originally scheduled for 2020, but was deferred due to COVID-19 and it was the carnival's 10th anniversary, with the inaugural event held at Winton in 2011.

Local league administration Chris Waters said the carnival was an important pathway for many aspiring young footballers named for an icon of rugby league in Arthur Beetson.

"I think we achieved what we set out to achieve," Mr Waters said.

"This year, it has received unprecedented financial support from the Cloncurry Shire Council and the area they represent. Many local businesses have stepped forward to partner with Council to ensure the successful delivery of the carnival."

QRL North manager Scott Nosworthy said the support the carnival had received proved how much events like the Outback Junior Carnival mean to the local community.

"These events have a significant impact on regional communities and the partnership with Council and the support they have received from local businesses reinforce their commitment to seeing events of this scale delivered in their region," Nosworthy said.

The age groups participating were under 14 and 16 boys and under 14 and 17 girls, bringing together more than 150 players and their team officials.

The Queensland Police Service and QRL have once again joined forces to promote the opportunities in country Queensland and saw an opportunity at this event to recruit people from the bush to work in the bush.

The Northern Outback teams were mainly made up of Mount Isa-based players who compete in City v Country junior concept, as well as Cloncurry and Normanton players.

Southern Outback teams were selected from players from the townships of Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Augathella, Mitchell and Roma.

Carnival special guests included former Queensland greats Renae Kunst and Stephanie Hancock, North Queensland Cowboys legend Matt Scott, Queensland Outback junior coaching mentor Wayne Smith and former Origin player and Mount Isa local John Doyle.

Proceedings began on Friday evening with a welcome barbecue and wellbeing and education session with QRL staff and Queensland Police Service recruitment officers.

Saturday saw a feast of football at the Eddie Lee Field as games kicked off at 8am.

A feature of this year's carnival on the Saturday afternoon was the Outback Ladies Challenge game which features players from Cloncurry and Mount Isa against Hughenden and Normanton.

This matchup served as a selection process for the Northern Outback representative women's team, who will face off against Southern Outback at Blackall on June 12 for selection in the Queensland Outback women's team to play against North Queensland United at Tully on July 17.

At the end of the carnival, the Queensland Outback teams was announced to attend the Rees / Orman City-Country Cultural Exchange Carnival at Coolum Beach June 26-27.

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