Ben participates in Ambassador work through GOAL College working with year 11 and 12 students.
Ben was part of the NRL Roads to Regions tour visiting schools in Port Macquarie and Forster.
Congratulations Ben Lovett
Ben Lovett Has A Passion For Regional Communities
Ben recently visited Brewarrina alongside Latrell Mitchell, Shaquai Mitchell and Jack Wighton. Representing the Winmarra foundation founded by Latrell, the boys spent time engaging with the local community and assisting at-risk youth.
Former Parkes Spacemen and current South Sydney Rabbitohs player Ben Lovett has been nominated for the The Ken Stephen Medal – Man of the Year, which recognises the efforts of an NRL player who has not only achieved on the field, but has committed time off the field to community projects. A player is nominated by their NRL club for going above and beyond in their involvement in charity work, youth development or community support.
The 2024 Ken Stephen Medal – Man of the Year nominees form the NRL Community Team of the Year. Fans have the chance to vote for their favourite nominee and we are urging everyone to vote for former Parkes local Ben Lovett who was selected as a nominee from South Sydney Rabbitohs. Souths have won the award for the last two years, in 2023 with Latrell Mitchell and in 2022 with Cody Walker. Lets help Ben make it three in a row
Ben had this to say about being nominated: “I’m honoured to be nominated for an award that represents something bigger than football. Giving back to the community and inspiring kids to achieve their dreams has always been my passion.
“I am grateful for Parkes, the Spacemen and the Rabbitohs for giving me the platform to make a difference, and for their support throughout.”
To vote for Ben go to: www.nrl.com/community/awards/ken-stephen-medal/
Haylee Redfern Is Now A WKSF World Champion
Haylee is pictured competing in the Long Cycle 16kg + 16kg.
Forbes woman Haylee Redfern has returned from a four day competition in Poland, 6th – 9th June, as the WKSF Kettlebell Sport World Champion. Hayley was a winner in the following categories, Amateur Long Cycle Champion 16kg + 16kg, Master OALC Champion 16kg, Amateur 30min OALC Champion 16kg, Master 30min OALC Champion 16kg, New World Record Masters 30min One Arm Long Cycle (OALC), Silver medalist in Masters Long Cycle and Bronze in Amateur OALC.
When asked when she first set her sights on becoming a World Champion, Haylee said: “I’ve always set my own standards quite high. I qualified for the Australian Team back in 2019 – my first year of Kettlebell Sport, however due to Covid was unable to travel to Spain for the 2020 World Championships.”
Haylee said of the moment she realised she had won: “It was a very emotional experience standing on that platform when the National Anthem started playing. It was so surreal and such an honour to think of what I had achieved for my country and myself.”
“The importance of being the best role model I can be to my children is highly valued to me and for them to say they are proud, reassures me I must be doing something right in the parenting department. They are 7 and 11.”
Haylee is back on the platform this weekend as part of the re-qualification process; before competing at State of Origin in August then onto the GSAA Nationals in Melbourne in September.
Forbes Magpies Rugby League
The Magpies take on Orange Hawks in Round 8 at home this weekend. League tag will be at 10.30am, Under 18s 11.30am, Reserve Grade 12.40pm and First Grade 2pm.
If you’re not doing anything Sunday head on over to Spooners Oval for a great day out.
2024 Parkes Yard Dog Trials
All results for the weekend are available on the NSW Yard Dog Association website.
The fourth annual yard dog trials were a successful weekend, with entries up on last year. Competitors travelled from across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The open section attracted handlers and dogs that have won many Australian championships between them. The weekend catered for a variety of classes including Novice, Maiden, Encouragement, Junior, Local and Open. The results for the Local section were First Danail Day with South Stormy, second Bernard Dwyer and Annie, third place Donna Lindley and Bonnie.
Forbes Croquet News
Aussie Croquet was not played on Saturday 15th June as the grounds were far too wet underfoot. Tuesday 18th saw 34 keen players come along and brave the cold and foggy conditions. It was great to see John Farah back with us after a stint away due to health issues. Some good scores were recorded on the day. One runaway score 11/2 recorded by John Farah who seems to be in form after the break. 10/3 another top score recorded by Vince Roberts & Bill Scott, 9/4 Lyn Simmonds and Rex Toole, Kevin Rubie and Enid Baker, John Allegri and Noel Jolliffe, Ray Burridge and Lyall Strudwick, Russell Anderson and Bill Scott, Frank Donohoe and Peter West, Robin Pols and Enid Baker.
There were also many 7/6 scores on the day. A reminder that the next Monthly Birthday Luncheon will be held at the Forbes Sportsmans Hotel (Golf Club) on Tuesday 2nd July, please get your names in asap.
Roast Lunch for $22. Croquet continues to be a very popular game and if you would like to try the game come down to Halpins Flat on Tuesday or Saturday and you will be put with an experienced player to learn the ropes. Arrival 9.15am for 9.30am start. Until next week.
By Elvy Quirk
Henry Ranked In Top 20 In The World
A massive congratulations to Parkes High School student Henry Kross, who has just made it into the top 20 squash ranking in the world for his age group. This is such an amazing achievement. Well done Henry!
Forbes Magpies Take The Main Game On Derby Day
Forbes Magpies took the two points on Derby Day with a 22-18 win over Parkes Spacemen. Image credit: Parkes Spacemen Facebook page.
The biggest day on our local rugby league calendar is the June long weekend Parkes versus Forbes Derby Day, which has become a long standing tradition between the twin towns.
A massive crowd flocked to Pioneer Oval in Parkes on Sunday 7th June, to witness the clash between Parkes Spacemen and Forbes Magpies.
Parkes started the day strong, and were off to a thrilling start, taking out the League Tag 10-4, 18s 20-18 and Reserves 20-16, but it was Forbes who were victorious in the first grade battle, winning 22-18.
Forbes Magpies Coach Cameron Greenhalgh said, “We haven’t beaten Parkes on Derby Day since 2018, it was good to get the win over there. We let a substantial first half lead slip away, it was 22-4 at half time and they came back to 22-18, but we hung on and got the two points.”
Each year, a massive Forbes crowd travels across to Parkes to support the team, and always get the players pumped up.
Parkes Spacemen President Tony Dwyer said, “This particular round between Parkes and Forbes is known as one of the best local derbies in country rugby league.
It’s great to see Forbes enjoy it as much as us, you see how many people it brings over and how pumped up they get for it, they just love beating us over here.”
Lachlan Valley Golf Championships & Pennants
This Sunday 16th June, Condobolin Golf Club will host the 2024 Lachlan Valley Golf Championships and Pennants. The Championships will be contested over 18 Holes with the Blue Ribbon event being the A Grade 18 Hole Championship for the Moulder Cup. Other grades being contested are the respective B and C Grades and the Junior and Veterans Championships.
All grades will have Handicap sections run in conjunction.
It is anticipated the Blue Ribbon event will be a battle between the Forbes contingent including the Betland brothers, John and Steve, reigning Parkes Club Champion Aaron Wilkie and the Condobolin duo of Brad Hurley and Steve Beattie.
All competition fees to be paid for by the club, the Championships entry fee is $15 or $12 for students. Members of the Lachlan Valley District which includes Bogan Gate, Condobolin, Forbes, Grenfell, Peak Hill, Parkes and Trundle, who have not already nominated may do a post entry with nominations being accepted at the Condobolin Golf Club prior to 10.30am on the day.
NRL Player Ben Lovett Returns To His Old Stomping Ground To Run Junior Clinic
Parkes Marist 10s, 8s and 7s pictured with Ben Lovette (South Sydney), Haizyn Mellars (South Sydney) and Harrison Ledbetter (Former Canberra Raider).
On the June long-weekend, a lucky group of Parkes Marist Juniors were thrilled to be invited to a Coaching Clinic with former Parkes local, and current South Sydney Rabbitohs player Ben Lovett.
The Coaching Clinic was run for the PMJRL U10, U8 and U7 players. PMJRL U10s Coach Jason O’Bryan said: “The kids were pumped when they were offered the opportunity, it’s been a really great experience. To see a local guy who has made it in the NRL come back and offer his time is a credit to Ben and to Souths for wanting to do it.”
There was definitely a buzz around town once the kids found out Ben would be in Parkes to run a clinic. “My dad owns Sportspower in town, and he said kids were coming in saying ‘Ben’s coming Monday to do a training clinic’. It was so great to hear that, and it just made me even more excited to come back,” said Ben.
Ben has been very busy of late, recently returning from Papua New Guinea. Knowing he would be heading home to Parkes on the long-weekend, Ben approached the Parkes Senior League Club who put him in contact with the PMJRL to help facilitate the Clinic.
Ben said, “I wanted to do something for the local community, and get out here with the kids back where it all started for me. I was here in Parkes 10 years ago, running around the same as these kids here.”
“I still feel like I have a long way to go with my footy career, so for these kids to look up to me is massive. To be able to give back to them and hopefully inspire their dreams, to think that they can do what I have done, and hopefully they can have goals and aspirations to do the same thing.”
Ben was joined by fellow NRL players Haizyn Mellars and Harrison Ledbetter.
Haizyn is a South Sydney Rabbitohs team mate of Ben’s, who plays winger/centre, and Harrrison played with the Canberra Raiders for a number of years, and is currently playing for the Belconnen Sharks in the Canberra competition.
When Ben asked Haizyn if he would like to head back to Parkes with him and see his home town, he was more than happy to tag along, saying, “It’s great to come hang with the kids and play a little footy.”
At the end of the clinic, the NRL players handed out Rabbitoh’s merchanise and were very obliging, signing the kids headgear, boots and shirts, and taking photos with anyone who asked.
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