First timers crowned champions, record breaking attendance and $85,000 raised for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
 
It was sweet victory for the Bengalla Badger who were crowned men’s champions in their first competition appearance, the Hunter Hawkettes reigned supreme in the ladies competition and a record setting 2500 spectators attended this year A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Competition at Singleton earlier this month on October 13.
 
Following some ‘serious training’ sessions and a determination to play with the pride for their Bengalla mine site, the Badgers battled it out with the Hunter Valley Operations, United Cobras to the very last minute, securing a try and ultimate victory in a nail biting 18-12 grand final in the men’s decider. Whilst the Hunter Hawkettes were victorious over the Valley Vixens in 3 – 0 game series victory in the second annual ‘Women in Mining’ series.
 
Although, undeniably the biggest winner on the day was the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with a record breaking $85,000 raised, bring total funds raised during the past five year, just shy of $300,000.
 
Organised by the Singleton Volunteer Support Group for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, this year’s event saw over 350 mining employees come together to make up the 18 teams competing in the rugby league 10’s competition at Pirtek Park.
 
Event Coordinator and Community Liaison Officer for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter  Service Danny Eather said he is just astounded by the continued support of the both the business community and the wider community in supporting this event.
 
‘Being our 5th annual event, we are truly blown away by the continued support of the event, which continues to grow year on year.’
 
‘Our team of committed volunteers have worked hard to establish this event to be a highly anticipated event on the local sporting calendar. This was evident in the number of spectators that attended, with over 2500 attendees passing through the gate during the day, which is heart-warming’ Mr Eather said.
 
More than 70 local businesses supported the teams to help their fundraising targets with major sponsorship secured from A-Plus Contracting along with Jennings Print, Pirtek, Mine Super, Slater & Gordon, Matthews Jewellers, NSW Mining, Tyre Doctor, Bowers Haulage, Oiltest, The Eye Place, Hunter Isuzu Utes, SES Labour Solutions and the Imperial Hotel.
 
Coal Services Mines Rescue, Group 21 Rugby League Referees Association, Singleton Rugby League Club and the Singleton Rotary and Lions clubs all provided in-kind support and assistance on the day.
 
‘The Upper Hunter community, and the mining sector, are well aware of vital work that the Rescue Helicopter undertakes within our region continue to be extremely supportive of fundraising events such as the Rugby League Day to ensure that the rescue helicopter is available free-of-charge 24-7.’ Mr Eather said.

​Ravensworth Rhino and Hunter Hawkettes crowned champions, whilst $80,000 raised for Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
 
It was sweet victory for Glencore’s Ravensworth Rhinos who were crowned men’s champions second year running and history was made with the Hunter Hawkettes running home to be crown women’s champions at the 2017 A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Competition at Singleton earlier this month on October 7.
 
Following some serious training sessions and a determination to retain their title from last year, the Rhinos convincingly defeated Bulga Coal’s Saxonvale Raiders 22-nil in the men’s decider. Whilst the Hunter Hawkettes were victorious over the Valley Vixens 19 to 10 in the inaugural women’s in mining series. Although, undeniably the biggest winner on the day was the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with a record breaking $80,000.
 
Organised by the Singleton Volunteer Support Group, 350 mining employees made up the 18 teams competing in the rugby league 10’s competition at Pirtek Park, cheered on by over 1800 spectators.
 
Support Group volunteer and organiser Danny Eather said he is in awe of the community and business backing the competition.
 
‘This year’s event exceeded expectations in terms of spectators and the amount of money raised. We are just blown away by the result,’ Mr Eather said.
 
‘Our team of committed volunteers have worked hard to establish this event to be a much highly anticipated event on the local sporting calendar. We were thrilled to have teams from as far as Mudgee, Boggabri and the Gunnedah Basin join in this year’s charity competition.’
 
More than 70 local businesses backed teams to help their fundraising targets with major sponsorship secured from A-Plus Contracting, Mine Wealth & Wellbeing, Slater & Gordon, Jennings Print, Minetek Betts Bower Haulage and Hunter Isuzu Utes.
 
Coal Services Mines Rescue, Group 21 Rugby League Referees Association, Singleton Rugby League Club and the Singleton Rotary and Lions clubs all provided in-kind support and assistance on the day.
 
‘The Upper Hunter community, and the mining sector, are well aware of vital work that the Rescue Helicopter provides to our region and are very supportive of fundraising event like this to ensure that the Service is available free-of-charge all year round.’ Mr Eather said.
 
The Rescue Helicopter was established in 1975 as a weekend beach patrol and through community support and fundraising it became a critical service that operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week from four bases in Belmont, Broadmeadow, Tamworth and Lismore. Now it delivers aeromedical search, rescue and inter-hospital transfers to care for communities from north of the Hawkesbury River, up to the Queensland border. Today, the service is approaching 1,500 missions per year, with a Doctor and Paramedic on board every flight. The Service is jointly funded by the NSW Government, corporate partnerships and community support ensuring nobody has to pay to be assisted by the service.

​One week until annual Charity Rugby League Day kicks off.
 
The countdown is well a truly on with just one week until the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s – Singleton Support Group hosts this year’s A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Competition, with the event shaping up to be another great fundraising success.
 
This past Sunday, representatives of the 18 competition teams including members of the “women in mining” teams gathered to launch the countdown to the charity knockout competition as well as deciding upon the all-important pools draw for the competition.
 
The opening match of the day will see the Mount Thorley Warkworth Barbarians take on newcomers to the competition the Boggabri Bears. Other highly anticipated match ups during the include the reigning champions Ravensworth Rhinos against the Glendell Gladiators, Mudgee based Moolarben Misfits taking on the Mt Arthur Meerkats in their first ever game in the competition and the Hunter Hawkettes taking on the Valley Vixens as part of the ‘Women in Mining’ Series.
 
Speaking at the draw  for the event, Event Manager, Danny Eather, thanked the local miners in attendance for taking up the challenge and participating in this year event and expanding upon last year’s effort to benefit the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
 
“We are extremely grateful for the continued support our local miners. The willingness of our local miners to lace up their footy booty in the name of charity is incredible. Our miners are vital to the success of the event, without them there would be no event and for that we offer a sincere thank you”
 
“Equally the contributions of our many event partners and sponsors has been critical to continued success of the event. Special mention has to be given to long term naming partner A-Plus Contracting along with Pirtek, Mine Wealth & Well-being, Slater & Gordon, Jennings Print, Minetek, Betts Bower Haulage and Hunter Isuzu Utes in supporting this year” added Mr Eather
 
Gates at Pirtek Park, Singleton will open on October 7th at 8.00am with the first game kicking off at 8.50am. Both the Lions and Rotary Clubs of Singleton will be cooking up a storm to ensure nobody goes hungry throughout the day, along with Singleton Rugby League Club taking care of everyone’ refreshment needs. Entry to the event is $5 per adult and $2 per child with plenty of FREE children’s activities including jumping castles, slides and face painting. 

Representatives from each of the sixteen participating teams where on hand this afternoon at the Imperial Hotel, Singleton for the official competition pools draw of the A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Knockout Competition.

We are also excited to have the additional of our 'Women in Mining Series' which will see the Hunter Hawkettes and Valley Vixens battle it out during a best of 3 series.


Click here to view full draw