FOR one Gunnedah local the recent Oztag World Cup in Coffs Harbour provided an “experience of a lifetime”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Throughout the tournament, Gunnedah’s Darren Barton played alongside former NRL greats Cliff Lyons (Manly), Rod Silva (Canterbury) and Jeff Hardy (St George Illawarra).
Participating in one of the Australian Indigenous Oztag squad’s 16 teams, Barton helped guide his team to a semi final berth in the knock-out tournament, falling just short against Australia.
“I was extremely proud to be selected in the Australian Indigenous Oztag team and proud that the company I work for (Whitehaven Coal) was a major sponsor,” Barton said.
“I absolutely enjoyed myself and I know that the whole Australian Indigenous Oztag squad enjoyed the experience and I’m really focused in on trying to make the next world cup.”
Read Also:
An operator at Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek Coal Mine, Barton lived out a dream during the tournament, playing alongside rugby league idol Cliff Lyons.
“The leadership of the former NRL players on the field and off the field was first class and I was honoured to be able to play with them,” Barton said.
“I have great memories of watching Cliff Lyons playing for Manly winning premierships and of course scoring the try that won the game for Australia against Great Britain in 1990.
“It was surreal running off him in the same side.”
Barton’s teammate Jeff Hardy said the squad was grateful for Whitehaven Coal’s support throughout the tournament.
“This year we were excited to be taking 16 teams to the 2018 World Cup in Coffs Harbour, ranging from under 16 boys and girls through to the over 50s men’s team” Hardy said.
“We would like to thank Whitehaven for their continued sponsorship of Australian Indigenous Oztag at this year’s Oztag World Cup.
“The support of Whitehaven as a major sponsor is greatly appreciated.”
In total, ten of the Australian Indigenous Oztag’s 16 teams made the semi finals stage of the tournament, with the under 18s making side making the grand final, losing to Australia in extra time.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
