Bernardi’s Shopping Centre will host 2023 soccer registrations every Saturday morning from 10am-12.30pm from 25th February to 25th March. If you need help with registrations, flyers are currently being distributed to all schools and early learning centres in Forbes, Eugowra, Gooloogong, Bogan Gate, Bedgerabong, Trundle and Tullamore. Simply fill out the back and hand them in. EFT online payments will be available.

The Forbes District Soccer Club (Forbes DSC) has been awarded two grants for Infrastructure and Participation by The Hon. Alisten Henskens SC MP. 

The first grant of $13,050 for Young Matildas Girls All Inclusive Programs of Excellence will develop female committee leadership, female referee training and certifications, female coaching courses, training programs, school holiday camp with W League players, and participation in pathways programs and events.

The second grant of $103,506 will facilitate Forbes DSC canteen facilities & storage infrastructure revitalisation. The grant will be supplement by an additional $100,000 from Forbes Shire Council and $3,500 from Forbes DSC. The total of $207,000 will be used for the commercial upgrade of the canteen, outfitting of the office, conversion of old changeroom into female compliant referee/changeroom, a five bay storage facility including $20,000 towards a new strength and conditioning gym.

This funding underpins our new advanced training program to be delivered on Tuesday and Thursday morning before school along with our nutrition breakfast menu for players identified to play Country NSW, NPL, Lachlan Utd & Western NSW FC in the future.

Many thanks to Phyllis Miller and Forbes Shire Council, Andrew Fearnley Football NSW, Daniel Ristic Football NSW, local school Principals and local MP Phil Donato for supporting our vision and applications for funding.

Lachlan United has been busy behind the scenes preparing for the 2023 soccer season.

Lachlan United Soccer Club was formed to encourage development pathways for rural kids to achieve placement in representative teams and increase the overall talent in the area. Players come from Forbes, Parkes, Cowra, Grenfell and surrounding areas. By bringing them all under the one banner, players will be able to make the most of courses and coaching opportunities not available in their hometowns.

The Forbes off season Goalkeeper development course held in November, saw promising soccer stars Nick Zannes, Indiana Kennedy and Josie McKenzie being selected in the U/14 Boys and U/13 girls NSW Country Futsal teams to play at the National Championships to be held in Melbourne in 2023.

Players who have been selected to play with the Lachlan United Soccer Club have a lot to look forward to in 2023. Several carnivals and gala days are already locked into the calendar, bringing teams from across the state to compete in our local area.

Teams will also travel to Goulburn to start the season at the Merino Cup, followed by a Mini Girls Gala Day hosted by Parkes, involving all western associated teams.

The opportunity to again start hosting these events, will see more than just the local soccer community benefit. The hosting towns can expect more than 5,000 visitors to visit the region, a boost that can’t come soon enough.

With the prospect of hosting larger tournaments in the future, the club is hopeful funding will come through for improvements to facilities such as training gyms, enhancing grounds and upgrading change rooms.

Forbes Soccer Club will be starting development programs for girls thanks to a $9,000 grant.

“With this funding, our club can fund new training sessions with female coaches which will provide the opportunity for girls to learn and play a sport in a fun and engaging environment,” said Club President of Forbes & District Soccer Club Paula Browne.

She welcomed the announcement and thanked the NSW Government, saying that the investment would ensure young girls in the area could participate in the sport.

“I am grateful to the NSW Government as it supports our children and young people, through initiatives like the Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative.”

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the funding would support the club in hiring female coaches and referees, deliver more player advancement sessions and increase the number of females in the executive leadership.

“Programs such as Forbes Soccer Club’s is a great example of how we can improve the inclusiveness of sports for women.

“The club will recruit more female staff, deliver ‘come and try’ sessions for juniors and tailor advancement programs to push young girls to dream big.”

The Children and Young People Wellbeing Recovery Initiative is funded through the NSW COVID-19 Economic Recovery Initiative and the co-funded NSW and Australian Governments’ Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for funding for wellbeing programs, events and resources as part of the initiative.

Applications for both large and smaller grants are open now and close on 31 December 2022, or when fully allocated.

For program and eligibility guidelines, visit nsw.gov.au/YouthWellbeing.

 

If you are an ardent women’s soccer supporter, you have to be in Forbes on Saturday, 29th October to see Western Sydney Wanderers FC Women play Canberra United FC at the Botanical Gardens at 5:30pm.

There will also be a Development Session and Meet the Players with International Coach Tom Sermanni and the teams from 10:30-11.30am.

Other games will be starting at 12:15pm with U/10 Girls Forbes/Lachlan v Griffith DFA, followed by U/12 Girls Southern Tablelands v Griffith DFA; U/14 Girls Lachlan Utd v Griffith DFA; U/18 Girls NSW Country v Canberra Utd.

Supporting Ronald McDonald House Orange

Forbes Rugby is playing its part in the Central West Rugby Fundraising Challenge. This is an initiative supported by Blowes Menswear, who is not only a major sponsor of our competition but also a supporter of RMHC Orange, and has called upon our zone to help raise funds in support of the phenomenal work of Ronald McDonald House Orange.
Since opening in 2015, RMHC Orange has assisted at least 95 families from Forbes and surrounds. All money raised will stay in Orange to support families from the central and far west as their child is receiving specialist and life-saving treatment in Orange Hospital. To donate you can go to the link below. https://fundraise.rmhc.org.au/fundraisers/forbesrugbyclub

Magpies Lose Local Derby To Spacemen

Forbes Magpies 18s were the only side to get a win on the weekend in the clash between Forbes Magpies and rivals Parkes Spacemen. Reserves were unlucky not to get the win in a bold display while the Women’s were outclassed by the Spacecats. In the top grade, Parkes showed many why they are a formidable outfit in 2021 with a strong 38-22 victory over a gallant Magpies outfit.

• Women’s – Parkes 24 – 4 Forbes
• Under 18s – Parkes 4 – 36 Forbes
• Reserve Grade – Parkes 14 – 10 Forbes
• First Grade – Parkes 38 – 22 Forbes

Allstars Fight Back For Draw 2-2 With Vipers

Forbes Allstars did it the hard way and late to earn a well-deserved draw against Parkes Vipers last weekend. In another bold showing in tough conditions, the Allstars came back from 2-0 down to equalize late and share the points.