The Walcha Junior Barbarians and all the travelling rugby players, parents and coaches from the bush were treated to an amazing show of hospitality and generosity over the Bush2Beach weekend, hosted by Narrabeen Tigers Junior Rugby Club.
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Great friendships were made, young and old, wonderful rugby was played, and a lot of fun had.
Damien Timbs and Murray Power led and arranged a powerhouse of coaching talent to put in front of the players over the weekend, with Tim Reid and Jason Elms helping prepare the boys for the four games.
These boys were playing arguably some of the best rugby they had ever played.
Apart from the thrill of ending up with a three out of four success rate, the boys proudly sung their team song after every game, and made sure they tunneled each of the teams off the field, after congratulating the opposition.
The parents and coaches were mightily proud of the boys for taking out the Best and Fairest under team for the day.
This was a credit to the way they represented themselves, their clubs, and rugby in the bush.
The event, organised by the Tigers’ amazing team of Lisa Clark and her committee and club, sparked the Beach2Bush concept only 7 weeks earlier when thinking about practical ways to help the bush during the drought.
The outcome, getting rugby clubs together and having a weekend away, was the greatest gift that could be imagined by the travelling clubs.
Accommodation was gifted, by way of a grant, with the use of the Narrabeen sports centre.
Meals were donated by the community.
Other snacks and goodies were lovingly put together by the Narrabeen Tigers families.
We were completely overwhelmed by the generosity and thoughtfulness shown by Narrabeen and the surrounding Warringah Rugby clubs.
Past and present players from the Wallabies, Australian sevens, and Super Rugby women’s were circulating through the day, helping with warmups, and giving a bit of oomph to the pre-game huddle.
We would like to thank all involved who took part in this amazing gesture of good will, you are an incredible team.
We are thrilled to get the wheels in motion to have the Narrabeen Tigers up to the Walcha Junior Rugby Union Club next season to reciprocate this wonderful gesture, and to grow the friendships made last weekend. Details to come.
Thank you Narrabeen, the weekend was a very special trip for all of us. If any of these boys are playing senior rugby in future years down at Sydney, I can see them gravitating towards Warringah with great memories.
Walcha Baa Baas playing group:
Jack Power Walcha
Charlie Morgan Walcha
Ben McCumstie Gunnedah
Harry Partridge Walcha
Lucas Thornton Armidale
Darcy MacPherson Walcha
Josh Bible Armidale
Jack Lincoln Armidale
Ollie Greig Walcha
James Elmes Narrabri
Ollie Overton Walcha
Sam Timbs Walcha
Ben Kelly Armidale
Max Rogers Armidale
Clancy McDermott Barraba
Sam Strelitz Armidale
Will Brett Armidale
Toby Crawford Walcha
Sam Elms Narrabri
Jack Kelly Armidale
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