The long history of the Inverell Hawks rugby league club will be celebrated this Saturday as former players return to watch the current teams take on the Moree Boars.
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Known as the Inverell Swans until the early ’80s, ‘old boys’ from the ’60s and ’70s will join those from the 1993 and 1998 teams at Varley Oval for the reunion.
“It’s just great and easy to catch up. Everyone will have a great time,” organiser David Koch said.
It will be a chance to reminisce about old victories while cheering for more.
It has been 20 years since the 1998 first grade side won the grand final, and 25 years since the 1993 reserve grade had the same honour.
It will be an exciting set of matches, with the Moree Boars and Inverell Hawks both near the top of the ladder in all four grades. All are welcome to watch the games and meet the players, both old and new.
“It’ll be highly contested. Moree Boars have a big following, and it’ll be very high quality football for the day,” Koch said.
“There will be a big crowd and I hope it’s a lovely day.”
The league tag will kick off at 11am, followed by the juniors at noon. The reserve grade will compete for the president’s cup at 1.15pm, with first grade set to take on the Boars from 2.30pm.
With a raffle held throughout and a visit to the RSM Club after the games for the returning players, Koch said the day will be “a great spectacle” for Inverell.
The event will also be a time to remember two significant figures from the 1998 campaign. James Stevens, a front rower from the 1998 first grade side, passed away earlier this year, and former Hawks president Don Bartlett died late last year.
The Terry Trim medal, which honours another iconic Hawks player, will be awarded to the Best and Fairest first grade local player.
This will be the fourth annual Old Boys Day for the Hawks, after the previous events, instigated by Paddy Miller drew large crowds.
“It’s been tremendous. Very inspirational to our younger people and new people in the club,” Koch said.
He said it was great to give the youngsters some insight into the history of the long-running club, which has remained successful over many years.
Local Ross Hamilton, who is a lifetime member of the club, recently received an Order of Australia medal for his dedication to the rugby league scene in Inverell, as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Naomi Shumack
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
