HUNTER Valley Group 21 Rugby League’s historic Where There’s A Will (WTAW) round is still making an impact throughout the sporting community.
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The concept, which amassed in excess of $100,000 for the Upper Hunter-based not-for-profit organisation, was praised at the Country Rugby League (CRL) Player of the Year dinner at the Hyatt Regency Sydney late last month, with over 380 officials, volunteers and players in attendance.
The Aberdeen Tigers, Denman Devils, Greta Branxton Colts, Merriwa Magpies, Murrurundi Mavericks, Muswellbrook Rams, Scone Thoroughbreds and Singleton Greyhounds all participated to not only raise funds for WTAW but awareness for its mental health programs.
“It was a great initiative – and congratulations to everyone involved,” CRL chairman John Anderson said.
“To see every club, including Murrurundi and Merriwa, involved was terrific.
“It was a wonderful advertisement for the code.
“Even NRL CEO Todd Greenberg, who travelled to the region for the event, was impressed with the response.”
Meanwhile, the CRL announced Tori Freeman-Quay from West Belconnen as the 2017 Country Rugby League Player of the Year.
The youngster, who received his award for his dominant performances for Monaro’s victorious under-23 Country Championship side, will now represent Country in its matches against Samoa and Scotland in Wagga Wagga and Ballina.
Also on the night, the Melbourne Storm’s Dale Finucane was named 2017 VB Country Origin Player of the Year, for his outstanding performance on and off the field in the final Country Origin fixture in Mudgee in May.
Finucane, a Bega Roosters junior, was in attendance to receive the CRL’s top honour.
Kylie Hilder received the Country v City Women’s Player of the Match and the Grafton Ghosts took home the prestigious Clayton Cup for their dominant season in Group 2.
The Ghosts join the Tweed Heads Seagulls and Cobar as the only sides to have won the Clayton Cup on three occasions (2010, 2011, 2017).
Guests included Troy Grant MP (Member of the Legislative Assembly) and Linda Burney (Shadow Minister for Human Services, and first Indigenous woman to be elected to the Australian House of Representatives) as well as ARLC chairman John Grant, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and NSWRL CEO David Trodden.
“There have been plenty of success stories both on and off the field for Country Rugby League this season and [tonight] is a great way to pay tribute to the efforts of our clubs, players, volunteers and staff throughout the year,” Anderson said.