The North West Magpies Junior Rugby League Club wrapped up its inaugural season at Pitt Town and District Sports Club on Saturday, with a day of awards, rides and games.
The Magpies had 59 players spread across their five teams; under-6s, 7s, 9s, 11s and 13s.
Club president Darrin Rawlings said the season was a great success as three teams advanced to the semi-finals – the under-9s, under-13s and under-11s – with the under-11s then progressing all the way to the grand final.
Unluckily the team lost its match, but the club came together later that day to play a parents versus kids game to raise the children’s spirits.
“Everyone was pretty down after the loss … but this allowed the kids to give it to mum and dad,” Rawlings told the Gazette.
Rawlings sees the club more as a family, with around 150 parents and kids from under-6s to under-13s coming out for the grand final.
The club also saw one of its under-13s players, Cooper Magann, selected for the 2019 Penrith Panthers representative program.
The Magpies’ administration and coaching is made up of 20 volunteers who, along with the players, were honoured by the club October 13.
It was the first time many of the parents had ever held a role in a club’s administration, with most also acting as first-time coaches.
The presentation was more like a carnival with dodgems, Top Gun, the sizzler and a giant slide, and a second parents versus kids game breaking out.
Macquarie MP Susan Templeman presented awards to the under-6s as well as the ‘smiles award’, given to the most cheerful and happiest child in the club.
Evie Fowler, also the youngest member of the club at just four-years-old, was presented with the inaugural smiles award.
Children who received awards on the day included;
- Mini Rookie of the year – Dakoda Rae Burnham;
- Mini Player of the Year – Ethan Tait;
- Mod Rules Rookie – Bryce Matheson;
- Mod Rules Player of the Year – Lucas Tanti;
- Inter Rules Rookie – Brayden Tait;
- Inter Rules Player of the Year – Cooper Magann;
- T and L Fowler Hard Man – Jayden Hart;
- Team of the Year – Under 11s.
Adult award recipients were:
- Coach of the Year – Ben Fowler;
- Manager of the Year – Tamie Harrison;
- Trainer of the Year – Adam Gray;
- President’s Award – Ben Fowler;
- Greg Schultz Memorial Award – Darren and Taminya Parkes;
- Sheridan Clubman of the Year – Sharon Lanzon.
Next year Rawlings would like to see club numbers double, especially in the under-6 and under-7 age groups.
He is also in the process of organising a under-12 women’s team to take part in next year’s competition.
The inaugural season saw four female players take to the field, and Rawlings is hoping 2019 brings an increase in women’s participation.
Those who wish to get involved in the club’s 2019 season can register their interest at https://tinyurl.com/ya4hqlev.