​MINING CHARITY RUGBY LEAGUE DAY SMASHES ALL RECORDS

Long-time participants crowned first time champions, a record breaking number of team entries and an astonishing $120,000 raised for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
 
It was the sweetest of victory for the 2019 Men’s Champions the Wambo Wolves after finally securing their first win after many finals appearances during the past several years. In our ladies competition, the Valley Vixen battled it and finally claimed a win over rival Hunter Hawkettes at this year’s A-Plus Contracting Hunter Valley Mining Charity Rugby League Day, last Saturday in Singleton.
 
Following some ‘serious training’ sessions and a determination to play with the pride for their Wambo mine site, the Wolves battled it out with the reigning champions the Bengalla Badgers, until the final minutes, in a convincing 13 - 8 grand final win. Whilst the Valley Vixens were victorious over the Hunter Hawkettes in a hard fought 2–1 series victory in the third annual ‘Women in Mining’ series.
 
Undeniably the biggest winner on the day was the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with a record breaking $120,000 raised, bring total funds raised during the past six years of this event to a total of $412,000.
 
Organised by the Singleton Volunteer Support Group for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, this year’s event saw over 450 mining employees come together to make up the 23 teams competing in the rugby league 10’s competition.
 
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.
“We knew that this year was going to be big on the field with 23 teams participating, however we just never anticipated it to be so big off the field with $120,000 to be raised from this single day event”
 
“Sometimes you question whether or not the support for an event will dwindle away, however this is not the case with the Charity Rugby League Day, each year it just seems to get bigger and better. Our team of committed volunteers have worked hard to establish this event to be a highly anticipated event on the local sporting calendar” Mr Eather said.
 
More than 80 local businesses supported the teams to help their fundraising targets with major sponsorship secured from A-Plus Contracting along with Jennings Print, Pirtek, TyreDoctor, Mine Super, Pirtek, Slater & Gordon, Aletek, NSW Mining, Mader NSW Yancoal Mt Thorley Warkworth, Bowers Heavy Haulage, Hunter Valley Operations, Hunter Isuzu Ute, OilTest, Coal Services, Imperial Hotel, ISC, @The Coalface 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 Charity Rugby League Day to ensure that the rescue helicopter is available 24-7.