 After being impacted by flooding raining in March earlier this year, the difficult decision once again has been made to postpone the A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Day, due to be held Saturday October 16.
Understandably we know this decision will disappoint many, however the safety of volunteers, staff, and the wider community is paramount. As well as delivery high quality event that we have all come to expect and the current COVID restrictions and uncertainty just do not allow for it at this point in time. Over the last seven years, this event has become the premier charity rugby league competition held in the New South Wales, raising over $400,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and keeping our crews across Belmont, Tamworth and Lismore ready to respond 24-7 for our community. “We are committed to doing the right thing by our supporters, and hope you can all come and join us on the field on March 19, 2022. All team/player registration will be simply moved across to the new date along with all sponsor commitment, effectively everything stays the same just a change of date.” said Danny Eather, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Regional Partnerships Officer. “Lastly, on behalf of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service I again expresses our sincere thanks to all players, sponsors, suppliers and volunteers for being so patient and understanding with the postponement, and please continue to stay healthy and safe.” Mr Eather added. All tickets pre-purchased entry tickets will be valid for on the new date. We have unfortunately made the hard decision to cancel this weekend’s event.
Recent rain and the current extreme weather across the region has forced organisers of Saturday’s A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Day at Pirtek Park Singleton to make the difficult decision. The day was in support of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and had been planned for 18 months following last year’s event being cancelled due to COVID. The decision was made in consultation with Singleton United Rugby League Club based on the considerable amount of rain since last Sunday making Pirtek Park’s playing surface unfit for play. Organisers worked on contingency planning earlier this week to utilise the second field however with the lack of warm weather to dry out the ground it was also deemed unsafe for play. Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Community Liaison Officer Danny Eather said organisers were left with no option in the interests of player safety. ‘Understandably there is considerable disappointment amongst organisers, participating clubs and volunteers who have all remained optimistic in spending the past 3 days setting up for the weekend.’ ‘However with the previous rain and forecast of worsening conditions, the decision has been made early to cancel this Saturday’s event out of respect for those participants that were travelling to Singleton and ultimately for the safety of all involved.’ ‘I’d like to extend our thanks to all of our teams, volunteers, suppliers and importantly our sponsors who had committed to this weekend,’ Mr Eather concluded. Individuals that have purchased tickets will be notified of their options in transferring their tickets to our 2021 event in October later this year. All team managers will receive a notification of a video meeting in the coming 24hrs. Thank you for your support and understanding. Coal miners throughout the Hunter Valley and beyond have had to wait just under 18 months for the return of the traditional battle of the mines in the annual A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Day in support of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Each year the event continues to grow in popularity, however like many local events in 2020 this annual event was postponed due to COVID-19 to ensure the health and safe of our community. Whilst we are still experiencing a global health pandemic all steps have been taken to ensure that we can bring back this event at Singleton’s Pirtek Park on March 20 The day will still see 16 men’s teams battling it out for bragging rights and the converted Charity Shield. All teams will compete in a 10’s format completion with 10 players on the field playing 10 minute halves. Each team will play a minimum of two games before the highest points scorer in each pool will advance through to a sudden death semi final, before the winner of each semi competes in the grand final. Whilst the focus of the day will be on the action happening on the field, the importance of the day is not lost on the players or spectators with $120,000 raised in October 2019 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Event Manager and the Rescue Helicopter Service’s Community Liaison Officer, Danny Eather believes that whilst this event will be a little different to past events due to venue capacity limits and Covid-19 precautions the day is still going to be a resounding success. “I like many was disappointed that we had to postpone the event from our original date back in October last year, however it was the most responsible thing for us to do. Whilst the impacts have been felt on the Rescue Helicopter Service given our inability to host face-to-face events and activities the health and safety of our volunteers, staff, supporters and the wider community has been paramount and our key priority” said Mr Eather “To see that this event is back on the calendar and that we are now just two weeks out it is very exciting. The support we have received from the players, our sponsors and the wider community since announcing the return of the event has been incredible. Nearly all 500 tickets available to the general public have been pre-purchased and we expect that the sold out sign will be up in the coming days.” “Personally I just cannot thank the community enough not only for their support but also their understanding during the challenging times we are all navigating” All the action of the day will commence from 9am with the first of 16 pool games kicking off with the finals expected to get under way from 3.40pm. Whilst tickets to the event are limited to 500 those that will not be able to attend can enjoy the games by livestream to their devices or from one of the local venues that will be streaming. Simply visit www.charityrugbyleagueday.com.au for the livestream details and to purchase tickets. This event would not be possible without the continued support of event partners A-Plus Contracting, Jennings Print, Mine Super, Pirtek, Slater & Gordon, Tyre Doctor, All-Pro, Hunter Valley Operations, NSW Mining, Mader NSW, Yancoal, Bowers Heavy Haulage, Coal Services, Oiltest Walton Mining Services, Harvey Norman, At The Coalface and Singleton Rugby League Club   Well it’s definitely been an interesting month for us all with the Covid-19 crisis impacting all of our organisation and us personally as we get use to social distancing, self-isolating and new restrictions on everyday life.
As a Service, here at the Rescue Helicopter we have had to take the steps to postpone a substantial number of fundraising events and activities for the immediate future, specifically;
Whilst it is disappointing for all involved, the safety and well-being of our supporters and staff is paramount and out of precaution and in consultation with our Board, Senior Management Team and NSW Health, we have decided this is the best course of action. Although for the duration of this health crisis, despite the unique challenges we all may face in the communities where we live, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service will continue to be focused on providing the best in aeromedical support for those most in need 24-7. With this positivity in mind, we can confirm after consultation of many, that we are progressing with our 7th installment of our annual A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Day to be held once again at Pirtek Park, Singleton on Saturday 17th October. We do stress though, we will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and will make announcements accordingly, should it be required. All previous team managers have been advised today via email that team and player registrations are now open. For further information or details please contact Danny Eather, Event Coordinator on 0439072077 or danny.eather@rescuhelicopter.com.au |
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