Generations coming together for mental health in Dads & Lads rugby match

 BY SIOBHAN HARVEY 

The 2nd Annual Dads & Lads Event will kick off on Sunday this week at Townson Oval in Merewether, bringing generations of rugby players together in support of Mental Health awareness. 

The event has grown significantly since its first run last year, with six teams participating on Sunday, the youngest player aged 18 and the oldest 72 years young.

Merewether Carlton President John Davis said that last year's event was a great success, reflecting some of the most enduring aspects of the Greens and the community. 

"We are excited to see John and his organising committee grow the event and tackle an issue that affects so many Australians," he said. 

To keep it safe and fun for the father and son teams, the event will be played under Golden Oldies, which will see players over 60 years wearing red, yellow or purple shorts which will restrict them from being tackled. 

The Dads & Lads fundraiser came about when founder John Wilson was playing a game of touch footy with his sons on the beach, discussing the opportunities to play rugby together. 

"We came up with the idea and took in to the president of the club, we would raise money and initially just awareness for mental health challenges in our community and encourage young men and adults to speak up about their challenges, a problem shared is a problem halved," Mr Wilson said. 

"I have seen a lot of that in the last 12 months, I've had players and past players come to me and share their challenges and I think it has been beneficial for all of us." 

"Using the vehicle of a rugby event with fathers and sons, past and present players we are aiming to raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by so many Australians." 

Mr Wilson said the support and response for the event has been overwhelming, which shows how important it is for events like these to help raise awareness and encourage people to speak up about their challenges.

"I think it is very important for the community to acknowledge that there are people out there that are struggling in one way or another with mental health. It comes across all of us at one stage, whether it be a family member or a friend," he said. 

"The response has just been overwhelming from the sponsors who we are really thankful for, that help the event take place and just the general community members" 

The event is expected to raise around $10,000 which will be donated to the Merewether Carlton Foundation, with the funds being directed to the roll out of the clubs Welfare and Wellbeing Program. 

Image: Merewether Carlton Rugby Club

NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Coming to Newcastle

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

In what's being described as a major coup for Newcastle, the NSW Waratahs are heading to Broadmeadow for the first ever Super Rugby match next year.

The state team will clash with the Japan Sunwolves on March 29 at McDonald Jones Stadium, marking the first time a seasonal Waratah's game has been played outside of Sydney.

Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore says the venue was chosen on a number of criteria.

"Ultimately we looked at areas that had strong and vibrant rugby communities, which was really important to us, and fantastic facilities such as this," he said. 

Mr Hore also believes it'll open up Newcastle to a broad tourist market. 

"This will see McDonald Jones Stadium beamed around the world - our broadcast rights to the UK are massive, and every Saturday morning there are millions of people that turn on their television." 

Novocastrian Waratahs star Harry Johnson-Holmes says it'll mean a lot to aspiring regional rugby players. 

"Rugby is so alive and well in all age groups from Merewether to Medowie, it's very limiting I suppose for kids to turn on the TV and see your heroes in Sydney pulling on the blue jersey and that's all you get, but to see them in your hometown really encapsulates that ability to follow a country rugby pathway." 

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it follows a host of other major events secured for the city, citing the Australian Netball test against England, November's Newcastle 500 Supercars race and the upcoming Matildas game versus Chile. 

The City of Newcastle is also waiting to hear whether a tender to attract the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup has been successful. 

Lord Mayor Nelmes with Harry Johnson-Holmes. 

Bid to Bring Women's World Cup to Newcastle

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Newcastle and the Hunter could be put on the international stage as Rugby Australia bids to bring the Women's World Cup to our region.

The state government have pledged $5 million to the cause, which would see finals games played at Broadmeadow's McDonald Jones Stadium and earlier games at Newcastle and Maitland's Number One Sportsgrounds.

The final decision will be made by Rugby officials in London later this year, but if successful, Australia's bid would result in the World Cup's first Southern Hemisphere appearance.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald joined Sports Minister Stuart Ayres to make the announcement today and says it's not a done deal yet, but the prospects are good.

"We're not across the line yet, but we're very hopeful," he explained, "we saw a bit of the bid today - it's very very professional, so fingers crossed."

"We all know the Hunter loves its sport, people will get behind it, we'll see great attendance and support and it'll showcase the region," Mr MacDonald said.