Rugby Union

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

Rugby Union Sponsors Day

August 25, 2016 By editor

Last Saturday was Sponsors Day for the Forbes Rugby Union Club, which was an opportunity for the club to show their appreciation to their valued sponsors for their support. The Forbes Platypi took on local rivals, Cowra Eagles in all three grades. First Grade were victorious winning 31 – 5 as were 2nd Grade with 47-7. The Colts were unlucky to loose by one try going down 17-12.

It was also the Annual Charity Day for the club with the Forbes players taking the field in the Green Lantern Charity guernsey’s which were later auctioned off with all proceeds going to Lung Foundation Australia, CanAssist and other charities.

By Anita Morrison

Darcie Scores Three Tries For Australia

July 14, 2016 By editor

Local girl Darcie Morrison scored three of the five tries of the Australian University Rugby 7’s Women’s team at the World Championships held in the UK last week. In their first game the team played Portugal and in the first two touches of the ball Darcie scored runaway tries, which enabled Australia to secure a draw. With speed being one of her biggest assets, Darcie was able to run a massive 90m against Spain to claim her third try for the series.

Unfortunately the competition was extremely tough and the Aussie women were unable to claim a win for the remainder of the tournament going down to China, Canada and Spain in Pool B. Charles Sturt University student Olivia Patterson, from Bathurst, also scored a try for Australia in the final game against New Zealand.

Even though a little disappointed with the end result, Darcie enjoyed the experience. “The trip was amazing. I had so much fun. I just wish we could have played better”. Darcie’s efforts did not go unnoticed by her peers who voted her Players Player for the tournament.

The Australian Men’s Team went through the competition undefeated edging out Great Britain for the Gold Medal in a nail biting final won just seconds after the final siren. The trading of apparel and equipment was a highlight for Darcie who now has garments from almost all of the other competing teams.

Since her return to Australia she has received encouraging messages from her NSW Rugby 7’s Development coach as well as the Head of the Australian Rugby 7’s Program and the current Australian Women’s Coach.

Darcie Ready To Take On The World

July 7, 2016 By editor

For the past 18 months Darcie Morrison has been learning the rules and skills necessary to be competitive in the sport of Rugby 7’s. Her selection in the Australian University team is testament to her dedication and willingness to learn considering her extremely short time in the sport.

The Australian team is currently in Swansea in Great Britain to contest the 7th World University Championship. The Championships are part of the sporting events of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) that are hosted every even-numbered year, alternating with the Summer and Winter Universiade.

Competitions are played in more than 50 sports. Rugby Sevens entered the programme of the FISU World University Championships in 2004 and has been increasing in popularity ever since with the 7th edition being hosted at the Swansea University International Sports Village. The first year nine countries took part, and this year 20 teams from 15 countries will be competing.

The two Australian teams flew from Brisbane last Sunday for the first leg to Singapore, continuing on to London, followed by a four hours bus trip to Swansea. Darcie met up with the NSW members in Sydney who then made their way to Brisbane. Both teams will have the opportunity to train together for two days prior to the competition.

The Australian Women’s team will play in Pool B which will see them up against Canada, China, Spain and Portugal. The Men will take on Great Britain, Namibia, Italy and the Czech Republic in Pool A. The teams will play two games each day and their place in the finals on the 9th will be dependant on their results.

Other nations competing include Argentina, France, Kenya, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand. On departure, Darcie had mixed emotions of excitement, anxiety and nerves but was proud to be wearing the Green and Gold and having the chance to compete for her country. “I couldn’t wait to try on my
kit when it arrived and can’t wait to see the playing gear,” she said. “This is my biggest achievement in sport and I hope I can play well and do my best without making any mistakes.”

Darcie was given this opportunity through the Australian Institute of Sport Sports Draft program and identification and selection by the New South Wales Rugby 7’s Development program.

By Anita Morrison

Union Club Presidents Lunch Hailed a Success

March 23, 2016 By editor

The cooler conditions were perfect for the Forbes Rugby Union Club’s Presidents Lunch held on Saturday. Almost 900 people filled the two large marques to make the 2016 lunch the largest to date. Club President, Tracey Prior, welcomed guests and gave a stirring speech about what the Forbes Rugby Club means to the community and how the members and players have contributed to make the Forbes Platypi so special.

Life Membership was awarded to Andrew Hubbard who has been a huge part of the club for many years, as a player, clubman, mentor and previous president. Wayne O’Neill launched the Forbes Rugby Old Boys, or FROBS, organisation which is dedicated to encouraging previous players and supporters of the Forbes Platypi to remain actively involved in the club and give back to a club that has given them so much in the past.

It was with a hint of sadness that Kim Muffett, announced his retirement from the Presidents lunch committee this year. The Presidents Lunch concept was
Kim’s idea and what he thought was going to be a few people getting together for lunch exceeded all expectations in its first year and has continued to grow with each event. The committee will continue the tradition and would invite new members to join and be part of this great community event.

Well known comedian, Jean Kitson, did not disappoint with her witty and entertaining presentation and afterwards mingled with guests. Randall Grayson controlled the sale of the auction items donated for the event and once again the generosity of the Forbes community was shown, with all
items reaching prices in excess of expectations.

Organisers and beneficiaries, such as the Forbes CanAssist Branch were delighted with the response and the profits raised will go a long way to continuing their great work.

NSW Rugby 7’s

November 19, 2015 By editor

It has long been a dream for local girl Darcie Morrison to make a National team and this week she is one step closer to her goal being selected in the NSW Rugby 7’s squad. Darcie began her journey last year when she trialled for the Australian Institute of Sport sports draft and was identified for Rugby 7’s and Combat Sports. After attending
training camps for both sports Darcie chose Rugby 7’s and began training with the NSW Development squad. Training included a two hour training session once a week in Sydney and a strict strength and conditioning program to be completed twice a day on her own. Her dedication and commitment to the sport saw her invited to play
with the Australian Team against Japan.

Darcie competed at the Australian University Games with the Bathurst CSU team who were the eventual winners of the competition. She was awarded players player for the series and was also named in the Merit Selection Squad along with two of her team mates. Last weekend Darcie competed with the Sydney University team at Campbelltown
and was named in the NSW Rugby 7 team which will now compete at the National Competition to be held in Wagga on the 5th & 6th of December. This carnival will be a platform for selectors to view promising athletes for the Australian Squad.

August 6, 2015 By editor

It was another disappointing round of rugby union for the Forbes Platypi over the weekend as the team went up against their old rivals the Parkes Boars. Playing on their home ground, the first grade team came close but lost with a score of 22-21. The second grade team had a frustrating round, losing to the Parkes side 28-15. The Colts struggled against the Boars and walked away with a loss of 58-12. All teams were striving for a win and all players did their best on the day.