Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, it is with great disappointment that we have taken the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Day that was to be held on Saturday 19 March 2022.
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While it is deeply disappointing to have to postpone our flagship fundraising event in the Upper Hunter event for a third time, the Rescue Helicopter Service prides itself on delivering amazing event experiences, and the wellbeing of our supporters, volunteers, staff, and the wider community is paramount. Rescheduling the event for later in the is the most responsible action we can take given the current circumstances.

The new date will be Saturday 17 September 2022, which is an earlier time to our traditional October month due to availability of Pirtek Park, given the upcoming construction works of the new clubhouse and amenities.

The support we have received for this event over the past 7 years has been incredible, and the ongoing support is crucial in helping keep our helicopter crews across Newcastle, Tamworth and Lismore to be ready to respond 24-7.

All player registrations will be simply moved across to the new date, along with all sponsor benefits being delivered up at this time. Those individuals that had pre-purchased entry tickets will have their money refunded via the Sticky Tickets platform within the next 7 days, with ticket sale reopening a closer date to the new event date.

Once again thank you to everyone for your support and understanding, and hope you can all come and join us this September.

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.

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