By JO HARRISON
THOUSANDS of rugby lovers gathered en masse over the weekend to commemorate 120 years of New England Rugby.
Event organiser Scott Williams was overwhelmed with the enthusiasm for the inaugural New England Rugby Reunion which was initially planned as a small-scale get together of about 30 team-mates from the 1980s.
“I am over the moon and so happy with how the weekend has gone,” said Scott.
“When we were organising this there was some doubt out there that this concept would work. We had to convince a few people but it was all worth it.”
The reunion began on Friday night with the Welcome Wallaby Reception at the Quality Hotel Powerhouse. Some 13 former Wallabies who spent time playing rugby in the New England were special guests and caught up with mates they hadn’t seen since their playing days.
On Saturday Bellevue Oval at UNE was the hub of sporting activities planned with over 500 golden oldies players strapping up the footy boots and renewing old rivalries. The region’s top male rugby players participated in a sevens competition and the women also played a sevens and a 15-a-side tournament.
A break in the rugby allowed for a special presentation of former and current clubs that were involved in rugby over the years. This was followed by the running of the inaugural Guy Fawkes Gift where some old fellas dashed the length of the footy field. The day’s play wrapped up with a re-enactment game of the first know game between Armidale and Inverell with select golden oldies players decked out in long shorts and caps.
On a sombre note, players paid their respects with a lone bagpiper and a minute’s silence for John Hipwell who passed away suddenly last month. Former Wallabies captain had strong ties with the New England and TAS and was regarded as one of the best players to come out of the region.
The action finished with a crop of current UNE players taking on a Barbarian XV.
Former Wallaby Adrian “Moose” Skeggs said the weekend was a chance to catch up with some familiar faces from the New England where he began his rugby career.
“This weekend has been about looking back in respect at a time when New England Rugby was a force in country rugby,” he said.
“I had five year at The Armidale School playing rugby and then went on to play at state level and then to the Wallabies in 1993. It was great to meet up with all the guys who have come through TAS it was very special.”
On Saturday night the Jockey Club hosted a gala mega ’80s function and on Sunday a wind down with mates with a game of golf was the perfect activity to wrap up an epic weekend.
Rugby renuion merchandise is still available, including official souvenir programs, commemorative ties and stubby holders for a limited time from Sportspower on Dangar Street or phone 6772 4569.
Check out all the action from the huge weekend of rugby on pages 18 and 26.
