Rugby Union

NSW Waratahs Camp Attracts

July 26, 2018 By editor

The NSW Waratahs held a school holiday camp in Forbes last Wednesday. The camp saw 130 children from the Central West, participate in skills and drills run by NSW Waratahs staff and Wallaroos forwards coach, Matt Tink. Wallaroos and Australian 7’s player, Mahalia Murphy was also in attendance on the day. The school holiday camp was aimed at boys aged 6 to 13 years old and girls aged 6 to 18 years old.

The day saw players involved in developing their skills in catching and passing as well as tackling and contesting the ruck.

The players broke into their age groups to practice these skills before playing games to further develop these skills.

NSW Waratahs Central West Development Officer, Jarrod Simpson indicated that he was overwhelmed with the response from Forbes.

“It’s been an amazing response. To get close to 130 players is fantastic! To have Mahalia and Matt attend and run a camp, specifically for the 20 girls who attended, was exceptional. Forbes is a great rugby town and has proven it again today. The support we have received from the Forbes Club is really appreciated by the NSW Waratahs,” said Jarrod.

Forbes Rugby Union Club Presentation Night

September 28, 2017 By editor

First XV Award Winners
Best Back – Nedd Brockmann, Best Forward – James King, Best and Fairest – Kyle Sharpe, Squad Coaches Award – Nedd Brockmann.
Wolfpack 2nd XV Award Winners
Best Back – Brodie Hodges, Best Forwards – Jack Dobell and Tim Lodge, Best and Fairest – Greg Moxey, Coaches Award – Rhys Woods.
Colts Award Winners
Best back – Tom Williams, Best Forward – Will Dukes, Best and Fairest and Coaches Award – Tom Williams.
100 Games for Forbes Rugby Club
Nathan Suringa, Tim Anderson and Brenton Howarth
Major Awards
Old Boys Award – Brad McMillan, Paul Cronin Cup – Brett Stace, Club Person of the Year – Phil Prior, Presidents Award – Rhys Woods and Robbie Blatch, Player of the Finals 2nd XV – Tim Lodge, Player of the Finals 1st XV – Nedd Brockmann, Footballer of the Year – James King and Mahe Fanupo.

The Mighty Platypi Dive To Victory

September 21, 2017 By editor

The Forbes Mighty Platypi did not disappoint fans that came out in droves to support their favourite team at the Blowes Clothing Cup grand final. The Platypi defeated the Orange Emus with a 28-20 final score after a gut-wrenching game, clinching the 2017 premiership held at the Endeavour Oval in Orange last Saturday.

Forbes Rugby Union Club President, Tracey Prior said: “The game was always going to be a tough one for the boys. They’d faced Emus several times this year but the Emusalways got on top of us in the last few minutes somehow.”

“As soon as the guys ran on the field on Saturday they were confident and calm. They knew what all our strengths were and what we needed to focus on and do to secure the win,” said Tracey.

During the first half of the game the score changed regularly and at half time the Platypi had a three point lead with the score 13-10.

During the second half the Platypi had strong winds to their advantage which they used very effectively.

“The Platypi knew it was going to take hard work and they were willing to do that,” said Tracey. They were really hungry for it! All players stood up and did what was asked of them.”

The Platypi victory was followed by an electric atmosphere, with the crowd and supporters celebrating and congratulating the team.

“A lot of people from Forbes and other clubs were there in support. It was a bit like David and Goliath. Forbes is a small town compared to Orange. I think people wanted to see the underdog win,” said Tracey.

She was very impressed with the number of Forbes community members who came on Saturday. She could not express enough how proud she was hearing everyone cheer for the team. “It was a magical afternoon.”

By Gizell van Wyk

Platypi Sink Dubbo Roos

August 31, 2017 By editor

The Platypi were victorious in both first and second grade over the Dubbo Roos in Forbes last week. The first grade won 30 – 14, while the second grade match had everybody on nerves end, but the Platypi pulled through to win 26 – 23. Both teams will play last year’s winners the Orange Emus next. After losing to them in the finals last year, the rematch is going to be an intense affair. Pictured above is some action from the second grade match last Saturday.

Holy Fundraisers, Batman, It’s On Again!

July 20, 2017 By editor

The dynamic duo will take no prisoners at Platypi Park this weekend as Forbes Rugby Club superheroes do battle with the competition in the annual Charity Day. The Mudgee Wombats will face the First Grade Platpyi who, donning Batman jerseys, are expected to “Smash”, “Bam!”, and “Pow!” their way through a hard-fought game.

Meanwhile, in red and black, the Wolfpack will channel Robin’s enthusiasm to “Crunch!”, “Kapow”, and “Thunk” their opponents in a feisty display. After the games, the caped crusaders will offer up their jerseys for auction to the highest bidders. The Charity Day is one way the Club and players give back to their supporters and sponsors. It aims to raise funds for the local community and causes that are close to the club’s heart.

Club Manager, Phil Prior, said that some of the funds this year will support The Long Walk for Lungs. Organised by AGnVET Services in conjunction with the Lung Foundation Australia, the walk will be supported by many participants who will be walking part of the journey with Bill Van Nierop. Bill was diagnosed in 2015 with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a rare progressive lung disease associated with scarring of the lung tissue that makes it difficult to breath. The five-year survival rate is as low as some of the more devastating cancers –
approximately 20%.

Bill set up The Long Walk for Lungs to raise awareness of IPF in rural Australia and raise funds to support research into IPF and lung disease more broadly, as 7 out of 10 research programs in this area will receive virtually no funding.

The walk will begin in Narromine on 14 August, and follow a 697km route through Central Western NSW passing through the towns of Trundle, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Griffith, Leeton, West Wyalong, finishing in Forbes. Walkers AGnVET in Forbes have had a long association with the Rugby Club, and are grateful for its support in helping their colleague, Bill.

So, if you have time on Saturday, come along and support the teams and their fantastic efforts to support The Long Walk for Lungs and other local charities. The Colts will kick off at 12.45pm.

Still Time To Join The Platypi Juniors

March 23, 2017 By editor

The Forbes Platypi Juniors have started training for the 2017 season and are having a great time getting ready for their first competition game on Saturday, 1st April.

The first round of the season will see all grades from 13’s through to Seniors with a home game so it is shaping up to be a big day down at Grinstead Oval.

The coaches of each age group are motivated and keen to see the boys learn the skills and disciplines required to become well rounded rugby players. Most importantly, they are there to make sure the boys train and play safely, and have fun, which is what it’s all about.

Under the guidance of their coaches, the players will learn the rules of the game, im- prove their fitness, learn important life skills such as teamwork, respect for their fellow team mates, referees and opponents. They will also make new friends, who might become lifelong mates for some.

It’s not too late to register if you want to come down and try out rugby for the first time or if you are a returning player. The club looks forward to welcoming you back.

To register, turn up to training on Tuesday or Thursday nights, email us at forbesrugbyjuniors@hotmail.com or contact our Facebook page: Forbes Junior Rugby.

Having A Laugh With Vince For A Good Cause

March 16, 2017 By editor

Stand-up comedian Vince Sorrenti will be entertaining more than 800 guests at the sell out Forbes Rugby Union Club President’s Lunch tomorrow. In its sixth year, the lunch has become a social tradition to not only raise funds for the club but also for local charities and organisations. “We also love to get people together to celebrate our club’s achievements, especially this year as we go into our 50th season,” said Tracey Prior, Club President.

The unique purpose and simple concept of the lunch has proved to be hugely successful with long waiting lists every year of people wanting to attend. “It has just grown so much with 820 people attending this year,” said Chris Sweeney, chairman of the President’s Lunch. The proceeds of this year’s lunch will go to the Forbes Badminton Club, Forbes Toy Library, Forbes Running and Triathlon Club and Ava Garland & Family.

Additional funds will be raised with the gourmet dinner auction courtesy of Eat Your Greens (for ten people plus a champagne, wine and beer hamper) and in support of Batyr. It is a purposeful organisation that aims to engage, educate and empower young people to have positive conversations about mental health. Chris said by supporting Batyr, the club would like to bring the organisation to Forbes to run its programs for young people in the town. There will also be $1,000 prize money for a winning table in the Platypus charity draw. The tables are run by a table captain who sells nine tickets to friends. “This concept is very simple and easy to run, and it also makes the event very social and community orientated,” said Chris. “That is what rugby is all about: community, friendship and mateship.”

If you would like to be a captain at next year’s lunch, contact the committee on rugbylunchforbes@gmail.com.

Childhood Dream Comes True For Darcie

March 9, 2017 By editor

Darcie Morrison’s blazing performance on the Rugby Sevens world stage the past year won her the Forbes Advocate 2016 Sportsperson of the Year last Saturday.

Darcie, who could not attend the ceremony, was honoured to be nominated and selected by her peers and the community. Ever since attending the Sportsperson of the Year Awards at the age of about 10 she has always wanted to win this award. “I encourage all sports people to give back to the community sporting organisations that have made all this possible,” she said.

The fact that she only started playing rugby sevens in 2015 makes her sporting achievement so much more impressive. It did not take very long for her to be noticed and she was selected to play for Australia at the World University Championships in Wales last year where she scored five tries and was awarded players player.

Darcie went on to captain the CSU Rugby Sevens team at the Australian University Games in Perth. The team went through the competition undefeated and won the gold medal. Darcie scored all but two of the tries. She was again named players player.

She was also invited to play with one of two Australian teams at the Central Coast Sevens in October last year and she played for NSW in the 2016 National Championships where they finished as runners-up to Queensland. The list continues with Darcie named 2016 Blue Belle – NSW Rugby Sevens player of the year, she was invited to play in the Australian Development team at the Darwin Sevens in January, she played an invitational game with the Australian de- velopment team against Ireland in Sydney in January and was invited to tour with the Australian development team to Japan in February.

Darcie Leads CSU Sevens to Gold

October 13, 2016 By editor

Forbes local Darcie Morrison is making a name for herself in the world of women’s rugby sevens. As captain of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) team she led by example at the 2016 Australian University Games in Perth. Her team won back-to-back titles in the competition without conceding a single game. Four teams competed for the title with
two full rounds played before the finals commenced. Darcie scored three tries per game on the first day and continued to clock points with a similar performance on the second day. CSU came up against Griffith University in the semi-finals and then took on James Cook University in the final match to claim the gold medal. Darcie was
unstoppable racking up five of the team’s six tries for the match and converted her last try on the bell.

Prior to the trip to Perth, Darcie was invited to attend the Australian Women’s Sevens camp in Narrabeen and was asked to play in one of two Australian Development teams to compete in the Central Coast Sevens Tournament in October with the hope of securing a contract.

The Rugby Sevens season is in full swing and Darcie will be playing in Noosa with the NSW Development team and also Byron Bay with the Sydney University team in the next two weeks before giving it her best shot to secure a spot in the Australian squad.

Comeback Year For Platypi Ends At Grand Final

September 15, 2016 By editor

The Forbes Platypi Rugby Union team will travel to Orange tomorrow to take on the Emus after securing a grand final spot in the Blowes Clothing Cup. Forbes lost to Orange Emus two weeks ago in the major semi final, but vowed to be back for the grand final. They won their place after a muddy war of attrition against the Bathurst Bulldogs last
week 18-9.

The game was moved to Spooner Oval to avoid the encroaching floodwaters, and Forbes held up better in the muddy conditions to dominate defence and kept Bathurst try-less. The Bulldogs had so far experienced two tough wins in the two weeks prior, and while they managed to kick three penalties, they couldn’t crack the Platypi defence for a try.

Saturday’s grand final will cap off a stunning comeback year for Forbes, who last year only won two games all season.
The Forbes players are expecting to see a mass of blue and white at Endeavour Oval in Orange on Saturday to support the team. First grade kick off is 3.15pm.

By Cindy Nutley