Ben Robinson presenting a cheque to Matt Jack, President of Forbes Magpies Rugby League Club.
As part of their 2023 Sponsorship commitment, Ben Robinson, from Michael Robinson & Co handed over a cheque for $2,000 to the President of the Forbes Magpies, Matt Jack. Sponsors are extremely important in helping the club run, so a massive shout out to all sponsors who have come on board for the 2023 season.
The Parkes Spacecats are gearing up for a big 2023 season.
The Parkes Spacemen Rugby League Club held their 2023 season launch at the Parkes Leagues Club on Thursday, 6th April.
Club President Tony Dwyer was pleased with with the number of people who attended on the night, saying “We put it on for the players, we organise the alcohol and food. It is a thank you to everyone for their hard work in the pre-season and to let everyone know what’s coming up for the season.”
The 2023 season kicks off for the Spacemen at Pioneer Oval this Sunday, 16th April. First Grade will take on Orange Hawks, while the other three grades will take on Cowra.
The first grade team are going into round one with a win over Orange Hawks a few weeks ago in a trial match that took place in Orange. “Parkes go in with a bit of a leg up, but it could be a different story on the day as both teams will be stronger,” said Tony.
Captain/coach Chad Porter will help select the sides this week based on form at training and during the three trial games against Thelemere, Orange and Wellington. Tony’s hope for the 2023 season is that the Spacies take it week by week and hopefully get the job done at the end of the year.
If you don’t already have plans for this Sunday, head along to Pioneer Oval to cheer on the Spacies in all four grades.
On Monday 10th April, rugby league legend, Royce Simmons set off from Dubbo on his Big Walk to raise funds for Dementia.
Royce is set to walk into Parkes next Thursday, 20th of April and the Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League Club (PMJRLC) is holding a Sportsman’s Dinner to assist in Royce’s fundraising efforts. Some of the funds raised on the night will also go back to the PMJRLC.
Guest speakers at the dinner will include rugby league legends, Royce Simmons, Terry Lamb and Garry Jack, with former local boy and NRL star Luke Goodwin.
An auction with some great signed sporting memorabilia on offer will be supported by raffles, lucky door prizes and a Q&A session with the special guest speakers.
The Sportsmans Dinner will start at 6.30pm at the Parkes Services Club and tickets cost $35pp. If you have not yet organised a table and purchased tickets, be sure to do so quickly so you don’t miss out.
Tickets are available at www.123tix.com.au/events/38306/royces-big-walk-parkes
Jenny Parfitt from Parkes McDonalds recently announced their sponsorship of the Parkes Spacemen for the upcoming season.
Last weekend the Spacies travelled to Wellington to take on the Cowboys in their last trial game of the season. The Parkes Spacemen came away with an exciting win, with just four points in it, taking the game 32 – 28.
The boys have a break now and will focus on training and preparing for a successful season ahead. The first game, for Round 1, of the Peter McDonald Premiership, will see Parkes Spacmen take on Orange Hawks in a home game at Pioneer Oval on Sunday, 16th April. It is set to be a great match, following the home teams win over Orange Hawks in a recent trial game.
Lock 16th April into your calendar and head along to Pioneer Oval with your family and friends to cheers the Spacemen on.
Parkes Spacecats warming up for a great 2023 season.
Last weekend’s trial game against Wellington was the final trial game for the Spacecats before Round 1 kicks off on 16th April, at Pioneer Oval against Cowra.
Coach Michael Dumesny, and assistant coach Freddy Francis had a few harsh words to say in regards to some sloppy play from the Parkes Spacecats in Wellington last Saturday, 1st April.
“Wellington defended well in patches, but it’s always good to go away with the win, especially considering we had four vital players out,” said Michael.
Freddy said, “Defense was good, a few of our mistakes let Wellington back in but our girls recovered.” Standout players on the day were Tess Wood, Elizabeth Macgregor, Teagan Smede and Keely Reynolds.
The team is still reeling from the loss of star player, Jorja Simpson, who was has been completely ruled out for the season.
Elizabeth Macgregor and Cody Wakefield have been named as co-captains. Michael went on to explain, “Cody plays in the middle and Elizabeth, is without a doubt the best fullback in the competition even though she is only 16, so it made sense to make them co-captains.”
Ben is supported by his sister Claudia, brother Kurt and proud parents Fiona and John.
According to his mother, Fiona, when Ben Lovett was younger he wasn’t a gifted athlete like some, but he worked very hard to achieve his dream.
Fiona describes him as a very determined and level headed young man. “He’s the most level headed in the family, and he keeps his composure very well,” said Fiona.
Parkes Spacemen Under 18’s Coach, Sam Dwyer descibes Ben as a standout player. “In terms of leadership he was second to none. It’s a big achievement and everyone who knows him knows how hard he worked,” said Sam.
Both of Ben’s parents are extremely proud of how well he has handled his NRL debut and are grateful he signed with the Rabbitohs, who they consider to be a great club.
When Ben ran on in the 60th minute of Saturday’s game, the atmosphere was lifted by the roar of the Parkes supporters in crowd who were all there to cheer Ben on. The game swung around and the Rabittohs were able to secure the win, 13-12.
Fiona and John extend their sincere thanks to everyone who travelled to watch Ben play , in addition to those who supported him from afar.
The Lovett family have strong connections with the South Sydney Rabbitohs Club. Ben’s older sister Claudia works for the club as events manager, and his brother Kurt, is in training and has been named part of the NSW Cup Competition.
Ben has not yet been named in the line-up for this weeks game, but anything can change in the lead up to a game. The Rabbitohs then have the bye, so Ben will be afforded a rest after his massive debut. Without a doubt, people in Parkes will be keeping an eye on our local superstar, Benny Lovett.
Ben embracing his mum Fiona after the game.
Ben after being presented his no 18 game jersey.
Benny’s Burrow was full of Parkes locals in full cheer squad mode.
Ben looks at home on the field in the red and green colours of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
In excess of 1,000 people flowed through the gates on game day last Saturday in Forbes.
This year saw the fifth annual Masters of the Mandagery, however due to the devastaing flood last year, it was forced to move from its usual homeground in Eugowra to Forbes, where the event was warmly received.
Event organiser, Andrew Barnes said the day was a massive success despite a few of the regular teams from Woolongong and Cootamundra unable to attend. A total of 15 teams registered to play in the event and over 1,000 people went through the gates.
“Teams travelled from far and wide to enjoy some good old fashioned footy, and that’s what it is all about. It’s a massive social event,” said Andrew.
Andrew set the goal of raising $500,000 and so far the total has reached $102,880, including proceeds from Saturday. If you would like to support Andrews efforts then you still have time to jump online and purchase some raffle tickets.
A massive thank you goes out to Forbes for hosting The Masters of the Mandagery event, to all of the players and officials involved in the event and to the supporters who came along on the day and made it such a great event.
Magpies Under 18’s side being shown the ropes by Josh Miller.
The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix recently spoke with Forbes Magpies under 18’s Coach, Brad McMillan about how the boys are shaping up for the 2023 season.
Brad is an experienced coach, having previously worked with the under 18’s team back in the early 2000’s and again in 2020. He also had a stint coaching the Forbes Magpies first grade team in 2014, before coaching the Eugowra side in 2021.
Brad spoke about what his focus will be for the under 18’s this year. “A lot of my focus is on defense. I like to think that if you can stop tries, you can stop games, it’s 50% of the game.”
“A lot of people focus on attack, and that is an extremely important part of the game, but I think defensively that’s what we really want to nail this year,” said Brad.
Proving that it’s not what you know but who you know, Brad recruited his brother- in-law, Josh Miller to teach the under 18’s squad some great defensive techniques.
Josh Miller played in the NRL for both the Canberra Raiders and the St George Dragons, even sharing the Player of the Year award at Canberra Raiders in 2005 alongside Troy Thompson and in 2009 alongside Josh Duggan.
Josh has been signed this year as the Contact Coach for the Raiders to improve the defensive technique of the players. It was those defensive skills that Brad was wanting Josh to teach his under 18s.
They will get to test their new skillset when they play the curtain raiser in Mudgee on Saturday, 1st April ahead of the Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles game for round 5 of the NRL. Be sure to head to Mudgee for a great day of footy.
The draw is out, so save the date and head along this weekend to watch some thrilling games of footy. All games will be played on Spooner Oval and will be 20 minutes each with cross over at the 10 minute mark (no time off) 5 minute gap between games. For the men the registration link will be sent to club representatives shortly. Remember this is a fun get together, anyone who takes things too seriously and is sent off by the referee’s will not be able to take part in the rest of the day. It hasn’t happened yet so don’t be the first!
DRAW:
10:40 Trundle vs Condobolin (Womens)
11:05 Andrew Dwyer Memorial vs Canowindra
11:30 Cargo vs Valley Dragons
11:55 Tuggeranong vs Trundle
12:20 Manildra vs Grenfell
12:45 Eugowra vs Condobolin (Womens)
1:10 Parkes vs Condobolin
1:35 Eugowra vs Coogee
2:00 Canowindra vs Valley Dragons
2:25 Eugowra vs Trundle (Womens)
2:50 Trundle vs Cargo
3:15 Grenfell vs Andrew Dwyer Memorial
3:40 Manildra vs Tuggeranong
4:05 Coogee vs Condo
4:30 Eugowra vs Parkes
THE BULLIES… Back: Callen Naden (Orange), Jacob Parslow (Forbes), Michael Murphy, Jackson Hay (Parkes), Shayna Male (Parkes), Tipene Reweti (NZ), Hayden Bolam (Forbes). Front: Beau Tanswell (Parkes), Michelle Somers (Parkes), Kate French (Forbes), Hannah Kelly (Parkes), Codie Wakefield (Parkes), Erin Naden (Orange).
THE FROGGIES… Back: Aaron Mawhinney (Grenfell), Tyson Medlyn Reweti (Forbes), Brandon Martin, Jed Herbert (Forbes), Jared Colling, Cooper Neilsen (Parkes), Kaokao Kairimu (NZ). Front: Carly Morrison (Forbes), Kate Gullifer, Nicole Morrison (Forbes), Tamia Martin, Ally Hetherington (Parkes), Jorja Brown, Olivia Pringle.
The 14th annual Nick Way Memorial Touch Knockout was held in Portland on Saturday 4th and Sunday, 5th February. Ex-Forbes resident Jake Parslow and former Parkes resident Michelle Somers, who both have strong connections with St Pats Rugby League Club in Bathurst, organised two teams to compete in the knockout.
Both teams, the Bullies and the Froggies were strong contenders for the title and made the grand final in both A and B Pools. The Bullies were pipped at the post in the grand final, while the Froggies held off the strong competition to win their division.
A big weekend was had by the Bullfrogs with Erin Naden winning the women’s sprint, Tipene Rewiti winning the men’s sprint then Erin and Tipene teamed up with Nicole Morrison and Beau Tanswell to take out the relay.
Michelle Somers said this year was their second time attending the Portland carnival. The Bullies went down by just one point, 5-4 in their first division grand final, while the Froggies took out the second division grand final by 2 points, 6-4.
Michelle explained, “The teams are just a bit of a group, we put some mixed sides together and go and play touch carnivals. It is just a a social thing, but it is also good to play a bit of senior competitive touch.”
There will be a bit of a break for the teams now before they play again in October at the Country Championships. The teams are also looking to play in a carnival in Bundaberg next February.