Boundary Rider MATT NICHOLLS
A SPONSORSHIP opportunity could arise for local company Fleet Helicopters on Friday.
With rain about this week, there’s every chance the first grade cricket final could be abandoned on Saturday.
However, the forecast suggests it could be clearing on Friday, leaving a small window to prepare a wicket.
My suggestion to Fleet Helicopters is to do what they do overseas and hover over the pitch of the Sportsground for an hour on Friday and give the curator something to work with. It might just save the game.
Harness heroes
MEMBERS of the Armidale Harness Racing Club committee should be congratulated for their efforts in returning the sport to the city.
There have been many unsung heroes in the process, but one woman in particular should be mentioned.
Tamworth-based secretary Julie Maughan has been a true stalwart for the Armidale club.
Not only has she been doing a lot of the organising behind the scenes, but she also convinced Harness Racing NSW to waive the extra costs associated with staging an extra race, after the club decided to host an eight-race card on Sunday. Hat’s off to Julie.
Turnover’s up
FROM one racing code to another and Armidale Jockey Club secretary Jim Dedes said he was pleased with preliminary turnover figures from Armidale Cup day.
More than $1 million was wagered in NSW on the Armidale races on Monday, 17 March. The club gets a small slice of that money.
Dedes said it would help alleviate the drop in gate-takings after crowd numbers were down at the Cup due to the axing of the half-day public holiday.
Dedes also said that if Armidale moved its Cup meeting to a Saturday or Sunday, the turnover figures would drop by more than half.
“If it was on a Saturday we’d only get about $200,000 in turnover because we are competing with clubs around the country,” he said.
“On a Monday we are in the spotlight.”
Talent on show
THERE’S no shortage of rugby talent in Armidale’s junior ranks and the boys will get to show off their skills on Sunday when they play trial games at The Armidale School.
The New England under-14 and under-15 rugby squads play Central North and Mid North Coast at TAS Wakefield.
The games are preparation for the NSW Country Junior Rugby Championships in Newcastle on 3-4 May.
Team manager Trevor Thatcher said the trial matches were a good opportunity to gauge the sides against strong opposition.
Will Mazzei will coach the under-14s, while Geordie Marchant will head the under-15 line-up.
