Many of the representatives from each of the 23 participating teams where on hand this past Friday afternoon at the Imperial Hotel, Singleton for the official competition pools draw of the A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Day.
Given the popularity of the event the pools structure has had to take on a alternative structure in 2019 with Pools A & B comprising of 6 teams, Pool C of 5 teams and Pool D of 4 teams. The uneven number of team in Pool C will see two teams (Mount Pleasant Phoenix & HV United Cobras) play three games due uneven numbers. This will also mean that the three remaining teams will be provided 1 additional point to make it equitable. It is worth noting that point differences played consider role in deciding pool winners in 2018. 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. Coal miners throughout the Hunter Valley and beyond have begun training in preparation for this year’s 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 and this year a record 400 coal mining employees will make up the 23 teams that will represent their respective mines and compete in the rugby league competition at Singleton’s Pirtek Park on October 19. This year, several new teams will be joining men’s competition with teams even travelling from Lake Macquarie, Mudgee and Narrabri. As well as the much-anticipated “Women of Mining Series” which will see 30 of the regions female miners hit it out in a best of three series. Last year the day raised $85,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service with a record breaking number of spectators attending and all signs point to another successful event this year. Event Organiser and the Service’s Community Liaison Officer, Danny Eather believes that this year’s competition is shaping up to be the best so far. “With the addition of the new teams to the event from mine site both in the Hunter Valley and beyond, there is a lot of interest in what the new teams will bring to the day’s games. Equally it reinforces the importance that the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has in providing vital lifesaving assistance in the regional communities” said Mr. Eather. “As a Service, we are extremely grateful for the continued support we receive from our local mining community, who ensure that the Rescue Helicopter can continue to fly 24-7, especially when we average over 1,500 mission yearly throughout Northern NSW from our three bases in Newcastle, Tamworth and Lismore.” He added. In the meantime, representatives from all teams with gather at the Imperial Hotel, Singleton next Friday (Sept 27) for a team briefing and draw the all-important team pools for the day’s competition draw. About the event: The A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Day is an annual fundraising event for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. The event will take place at Pirtek Park, Singleton on Saturday 19th October with the first game kicking off at 8.30am. Thank you to event partners A-Plus Contracting, Jennings Print, Mine Super, Pirtek, Slater & Gordon, Tyre Doctor, Aletek, NSW Mining, Mader NSW, Yancoal Mount Thorley Warkworth, Bowers Heavy Haulage, Coal Services, Hunter Isuzu, Hunter Valley Operations, Oiltest and At The Coalface. 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. |
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