Red Bend along with Forbes Magpies will be co-hosting a rugby league carnival on April 24 between Red Bend fields and Spooner’s Oval.

In a real plus, organisers are getting plenty of registrations for older divisions but seek anyone especially U10s to U16s who wants to try league in a non-competitive, fun environment.

Colum Hopkins (3rd from left), President of Red Bend Junior Rugby League said nominations had come from as far as Cobar with others throughout the Central West also registering.

“We encourage anyone from all ages to come on April 24. There’s no obligation to play on and our emphasis is on having fun,” said Mr Hopkins.

“This day wouldn’t be possible without our co-hosts Forbes Magpies and sponsors who are all committed to developing rugby league in our region.

“The carnival is also a tremendous opportunity to try something new, keep fit and meet new people while existing players get a chance to have a hit out before the season starts next week.”

More info can be obtained from the Play Rugby League website or the Red Bend College Facebook page. All U8’s wanting to play this season are encouraged to register.

Forbes junior and Panthers winger Charlie Staines has two from two with Penrith Panthers in 2021 after a strong 16-6 victory over fellow title aspirants Parramatta at Penrith Stadium on Saturday night.

Staines could’ve crossed on a few occasions with one bad call costing him a try. Yet the young side weren’t deterred, never letting their western rivals in the contest.

With Round 1 only a few weeks away no doubt we will be hearing a lot more about Staines and the Panthers as they look to go one better in 2021.

Charlie Staines has started the 2021 season on a positive note in a winning first up effort for Penrith Panthers in a NSW Cup trial against Mounties 18-12.

Linking with new Wests Tigers recruit Paul Momirovski on the right edge, the new combination got off to a rough start as Mounties scooted to an early 12-0 lead. With possession finally going the Panthers way, the tide began to turn towards Penrith.

Two quick tries brought the score back to 12-10 at half time and the Panthers soon clicked into gear taking the lead for good not long thereafter with two quick tries.

Clinging to an 18-12 lead with a fraction of the game to go, Mounties looked set to score to make it 18-16 with a kick to come however it wasn’t to be and Panthers won in a thrilling game 18-12. Charlie Staines finished strongly, saving a certain try and the see-sawing affair provided a good work-out for eight of the NRL squad.

The Forbes Magpie junior is expected to line up on the wing for Round 1 of the NRL premiership in a few short weeks having taken the place of club legend Josh Mansour who has since moved to South Sydney. It’s a massive endorsement from the club and NRL coach Ivan Cleary that they see Staines as a big part of the Panthers future.

Meanwhile Staines is expected to line up again this weekend in the Battle of the West between Penrith and Parramatta with all grades playing at Panthers Stadium in an early glimpse at a mouth watering 2021 potential finals match up.

We can’t wait!

The Forbes Magpies Junior Rugby League under 14’s team has made it all the way through to the Minor Premiers 2018. The Magpies will meet Red Bend in the grand final at Spooner Oval on Saturday afternoon.

“The boys have had an extremely successful year, with all growing as players and as young men,” according to Coach Chris Butler. “Their confidence and ability as a team is impressive,” he said.

A real team effort in 2018 has seen this team struggle with their fair share of setbacks and injuries. They became Minor Premiers for the second year in a row after a big win against West Wyalong on Saturday, 11th August, in front of a home crowd.

Now with a home ground grand final booked the excitement, anticipation and suspense was apparent at training on Tuesday. The boys were trying to remain calm and treat it as just another training session but with special attention from supporters and members of this wonderful club the change in mood was evident.

Speaking with supportive mums, Tracey Bray and Lisa Glasson, this excitement and anticipation was confirmed with both mums saying that their boys where extremely focused and excited. Both mums wanted to wish the team the best of luck and said, “We know you can do it!’”.

Year 10 student Charlie Staines took a step closer to achieving his dream this week when he signed a two-year NRL Player Development contract with the Penrith Panthers Rugby League Club.

NRL talent scouts have been watching Charlie for some time and the offer came after recommendations based on the skills and abilities Charlie has displayed in both club and representative football competitions.

Charlie will continue his schooling at Forbes High School for the next twelve months. The Panthers will assist with costs associated with any representative football he is involved in including the Western Rams and Country NSW. He will be provided with strength and conditioning, diet and training programs to further develop his talent over the year at which time he will be considered for a pre-season program in preparation for the inclusion in the Under 18 squad and possible relocation to Sydney.

Charlie attended and participated in training camps with the Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders this year too. He and his family are taking everything in their stride, but they are excited by the prospects the signing will bring in the future. Charlie will compete with his local team, the Forbes Junior Magpies U16’s, in the grand final of the local competition in a couple of weeks before flying to Samoa to fulfil his representative commitments with the NSW Country side on the long weekend in October.

By Anita Morrison