Hunter mining teams get ready for battle

Teams from six Hunter Valley mines will be pitted against each other on the rugby league field to raise money for charity.

Two 15-man squads from each site will compete in a 10-a-side round robin rugby league competition at Rugby Park, Singleton in October.

The inaugural Open Cut Invitational Charity Rugby League Day has six teams with the Ravensworth North Rams, Mount Owen Magpies, Anvil Hill Bulls, Glendell Gladiators, Bulga Bulldogs and Liddell Lions to do battle. Co-ordinator Simon Clifford said he hoped for a crowd of more than 1000 people on October 11.

“We’ve got four months of fund-raising ahead of us,” he said.

“The majority will come on the day, we’ll have raffles and an auction as well as doubles tickets and supporter jerseys sold at the gate.”

The main prize will be a signed NSW jersey from tonight’s second State of Origin clash.

It is not just the on-field contest that the crews are preparing for, with a competition ladder for money raised for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to be updated fortnightly until July 5.

There is plenty on the line for businesses, with the company that donates the most money to have its logo printed on the front of all playing jerseys on the day as well as 50 per cent of supporter jerseys.

The businesses that finish second and third will have their logos printed on 35 and 15 per cent of supporter jerseys respectively.

Organisers are hoping to raise more than $25,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Words - Maitland Mercury, June 17 2014
http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/2358248/hunter-mining-teams-get-ready-for-battle/