The Old Boys Are Back
“We’re aiming to make this year our biggest yet – it’ll be pretty special this year”
On a cool Thursday evening at Emu’s Rugby Club, Melise and I [on her last day with OC Life], came down to speak with the energic old fellas who are hungry to return to the footy field for ‘Give Me 5 For Kids’, locked in for Sunday, May 16th.
After a forced hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Old Boys are truly rested and ready to have their grand return to the field as they eagerly communicated to Melise and I, while passing the footy between each other as we conversed. You could feel their enthusiasm for the charity game’s return.
This year’s edition hosted again at Spring Hill Recreational Ground in its fourth year of facilitating, will have the day starting off at Emu’s Rugby Club, acting as the meeting point, where gates will be opening at 10:00 am and transport generously provided by Cook’s Bus Service is scheduled to leave for Spring Hill by 10:30 am. As previously, gold coin donation is required for entry at the gate.
Emulator player, Clive Walker expresses, “We’re better to arrive out there early to help set up anything that still needs to put up.” Before Clive continues, one of the players cheekily alludes to their fuel of choice, “you’ve gotta get a few drinks in there before the game begins.” We have a little chuckle, Melise responding with “yes, a few lemonades”. Indeed, some much-needed soft drink to energise the players beforehand. You could tell from how excited everyone was talking about game day, that the community is certainly in for a good time again.
Melise inquires if the players will be continuing the traditional shot of Port before they go on the field as happened in previous years. Clive mischievously replies with, “We’re not supposed to have alcohol, but Port doesn’t count as alcohol.” The tradition is being kept.
Once arrived on the grounds, kick-off will occur at midday, Reg Kidd will be commentating on the match, with a team from Bathurst planned to be opposition – the Bathurst Old Bulls. Clive says, “it’s a different team” [from the 2019 match], he hopes to still see a few of the original players there on game day from the previous Bathurst team to sportsmen from Emulators, Spring Hill Wood Ducks, and of course the Bathurst Old Bulls.
The plan is one game, three sides, one side will come off and the other will play for 20 minutes – followed by the final stretch as described by Clive, only the “fittest” will remain to the finish. Clive’s comment is backed up by one of the players with a chuckle, “Whoever’s left.” Throughout the day there are many fun activities for the whole family to enjoy besides the centerpiece rugby match. From face painting for the kids, wood auction, raffle prizes to win to barbeque smoker – all kindly donated.
The return of the Fine Masters will be making an appearance to help contribute towards the charity’s earnings – where the players are happily planning on breaking the rules for the sake of donating more funds.
Besides being a great cause to support, this year’s iteration will be very significant for the players. A touching tribute for one of the founding organisers of this renowned charity rugby match, the late Barry Winnell, will be made. “This year’s game is very important because we lost Barry [in September 2019]” Clive says respectfully.
Clive explains the origin story to how it all began with Barry, “It was Barry’s idea, we play [rugby] at Carcoar every year and we would have a meal at Spring Hill on the way home. After we had a couple of cold drinks,” Clive says with a grin before continuing, “is where Barry had the idea to do a charity rugby game here in Spring Hill.”
In honour of Barry’s contribution and memory, the Wooden Duck Trophy craftsman Brian Ripps has recently finished making the ‘Old Boys Rugby: The Barry Winnell Memorial Trophy’ for this year’s game. Many players commented, “it’ll be pretty special this year [involving Barry’s memorial trophy in the game], what Brian has done is incredibly special”.
This will be the last year the rugby match will be supporting ‘Give Me 5 For Kids’ as the fundraiser program is retiring this June. However, the players are hoping to continue supporting other charities moving forward into the future.