Boggabilla’s field of dreams is saving lives: Rugby league bringing self-esteem and pride back to town
BOGGABILLA is a long way from ANZ Stadium and Wednesday night’s State of Origin.
The town in far northwest NSW, right on the Queensland border, had one of the state’s highest crime and unemployment rates until rugby league came along at the start of this season.
On Saturday afternoon the township (population 780) hosted its first ever Group 19 rugby league game against the Moree Boomerangs and gave them a touch-up, 48-14.
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Not that the scoreline was important. It’s more about what the game has done for this town and the self-esteem of its locals.
Their home ground has no seats, no canteen, no lighting, no dressing sheds and no showers.
There is a matted cricket pitch in the centre covered by sand. They bring in a shipping container for the visitors’ dressing room. Borrowed goalpost pads. Borrowed footballs. A house over the road is used for the referee change rooms.
Most of the players are unemployed but on work-for-the-dole programs.
They have very little in their lives but rugby league and this recently created footy club, aptly named the Warriors.
Carl McGrady is the local community engagement leader employed by the Education Department.
“No amount of money can buy what we’ve created,” he says. “We now have 50-odd footy players who have stood up to be role models.
“These guys used to spend their afternoons in the pub — now they’re at footy training.
“And the kids who used to be wandering around and roaming the streets are now coming to training to kick a footy around.”
The benefit to the town is simply immeasurable.
“It’s brought the entire community together,” Mr McGrady says.
“In small towns like this you have cliques and factions that lead to disagreements. This rugby league team has united the town and brought everyone together like we’ve never witnessed before.”
Remarkably, Saturday’s game attracts a crowd of more than 1000 — or 25 per cent more than the actual population. It is all about the community and the volunteers.
Read more:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...n/news-story/8c43f5c7a840673c0efb7acbe0d57172
BOGGABILLA is a long way from ANZ Stadium and Wednesday night’s State of Origin.
The town in far northwest NSW, right on the Queensland border, had one of the state’s highest crime and unemployment rates until rugby league came along at the start of this season.
On Saturday afternoon the township (population 780) hosted its first ever Group 19 rugby league game against the Moree Boomerangs and gave them a touch-up, 48-14.
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Reanne McGrady, Makiily McGrady and Rexiarna play for the Boggabilla Macintyre Warriors / Picture: Adam Taylor
A shipping container was brought in to use as a dressing room for the Moree Boomerangs for the Boggabilla Macintyre Warriors v Moree Boomerangs game / Picture: Adam Taylor
The Boggabilla Macintyre Warriors sing the club song after defeating the Moree Boomerangs / Picture: Adam Taylor
Boggabilla had one of the state’s highest crime and unemployment rates until rugby league came along at the start of this season / Picture: Adam Taylor
Robert McIntosh runs the ball during Boggabilla Macintyre Warriors v Moree Boomerangs / Picture: Adam Taylor
Rick McGrady runs the ball during the game between the Macintyre Warriors and the Moree Boomerangs / Picture: Adam Taylor
The bush crowd got into the game / Picture: Adam Taylor
The crowd watches the game / Picture: Adam Taylor
The Boggabilla Macintyre Warriors are a new League team which has brought the community together / Picture: Adam Taylor
Trimayne McGrady plays footy at sunset in Boggabilla / Picture: Adam Taylor
The outdoor dressing room of the Boggabilla Macintyre Warriors / Picture: Adam Taylor
Macintyre Warriors v Moree Boomerangs in the small town of Boggabilla / Picture: Adam Taylor
Hard tackling in Macintyre Warriors v Moree Boomerangs / Picture: Adam Taylor
Sunset after the game in Boggabilla / Picture: Adam Taylor
Young Blues fan Matthew McIntosh loves his footy / Picture: Adam Taylor
1 of 15
Not that the scoreline was important. It’s more about what the game has done for this town and the self-esteem of its locals.
Their home ground has no seats, no canteen, no lighting, no dressing sheds and no showers.
There is a matted cricket pitch in the centre covered by sand. They bring in a shipping container for the visitors’ dressing room. Borrowed goalpost pads. Borrowed footballs. A house over the road is used for the referee change rooms.
Most of the players are unemployed but on work-for-the-dole programs.
They have very little in their lives but rugby league and this recently created footy club, aptly named the Warriors.
Carl McGrady is the local community engagement leader employed by the Education Department.
“No amount of money can buy what we’ve created,” he says. “We now have 50-odd footy players who have stood up to be role models.
“These guys used to spend their afternoons in the pub — now they’re at footy training.
“And the kids who used to be wandering around and roaming the streets are now coming to training to kick a footy around.”
The benefit to the town is simply immeasurable.
“It’s brought the entire community together,” Mr McGrady says.
“In small towns like this you have cliques and factions that lead to disagreements. This rugby league team has united the town and brought everyone together like we’ve never witnessed before.”
Remarkably, Saturday’s game attracts a crowd of more than 1000 — or 25 per cent more than the actual population. It is all about the community and the volunteers.
Read more:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...n/news-story/8c43f5c7a840673c0efb7acbe0d57172
