LONGMUIR Playing Fields was packed last Thursday when the 20th running of the CFMEU Gunnedah Coalminers Small Schools Carnival was held.
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Primary students from small schools at Tambar Springs, Mullaley, Somerton, Carroll and Curlewis joined in a rugby league carnival with teams from Narrabri, Barraba, Manilla, Boggabri and across Gunnedah.
NRL lead game development officer Peter Stevens organised the day and was delighted with the response.
“It’s a great concept, allows the students at the small schools to play in a composite side and have a game,” he said.
“It’s great for the little schools like Curlewis, Mullaley and Somerton to have a side, and they were very competitive too. Should be more days like this.”
He said the sponsorship from the CFMEU made it possible and thanked CFMEU’s Ross Whitaker for his support.
Whitaker reckoned the day was inspirational.
“The emphasis on the day is for enjoyment,” the former Gunnedah first grade star said.
“A lot of the boys and girls haven’t played rugby league before but we had 215 there and had four fields going from 9.30am to the presentation at 2.15pm. The highlight of the day is to see the delight on the faces of the kids from Mullaley who had never taken part in a carnival before.”
While the junior teams played a non-competitive competition, the senior boys and senior girls played round robins.
Narrabri West won the senior boys CFMEU Coalminers Cup while Gunnedah South dominated the girls league tag as their two sides finishing first and second.