As all the Moree Boars teams have enjoyed a strong season of rugby league so far, its players will have something else to celebrate this July: the club’s 100th birthday.
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The Centenary Ball on July 21 will mark 100 years of great sportsmanship, camaraderie and sporting spirit.
Though, Boars club-president Mark McGrady noted tickets to the ball at Moree Memorial Hall are selling fast.
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“The committee has already sold between 250 to 300 tickets. There were about 15 to 20 tickets left available last week,” he said.
Since its inception in 1918, the club has witnessed many great moments and players. Former professional rugby league footballer Clive Churchill drew his roots from the local team.
“He started some of his football career in Moree and went on to be a very big name in the Sydney arena. And he also gave rugby league the Clive Churchill medal,” McGrady said.
While the club has waved off some incredible league players, it has also kept house for the community back home.
“A lot of families have been involved throughout the lifespan of the club. A lot of grandsons and great grandsons of the original members of the club now play for its teams,” McGrady said.
The president himself was welcomed into the club in 2014, after then-president Todd Mitchell approached him.
“At that time, there wasn’t a ladies league-tag team at the club and Mitchell asked if we could organise one,” McGrady said.
While the occasional woman was able to play league in the past, McGrady noted there wasn’t nearly as big a woman presence until he created the league-tag team.
He noted the growth of the club on that score, reflected the larger forces at work.
“Nationally, league is growing into a mens and womens’ sport. There is now a women’s State of Origin and the women’s National Rugby League is growing in popularity.”
On the back of creating the league-tag team, McGrady quickly rose through the ranks in the club.
“Halfway through 2017 I was vice-president when Mitchell stood down as president. I stepped up and I was voted to return as president in 2018,” he said.
McGrady said he was honoured to be the president of a well-respected club, especially during a watershed year.
“I think there’s a lot of camaraderie. A lot of people want to get involved with the club and there are always new players signing up every year.”
He noted senior players like Stan Swan were always looking to spread a positive influence for the next generation of players.
“He and a few of the other senior players will be heading down to the junior training days. They’ll pull some of the boys aside to have a chat and also help them with their training.”
McGrady promised that kind of spirit would be emulated at the Centenary Ball, and revealed some big names as special guest speakers.
“Former Newcastle Knights player Tony Butterfield and former Bulldogs teammate David Gillespie will be speaking.”
McGrady thanked the committee members as well as Ashlee Johnston and Deb Holland for organising what is expected to be a memorable night.
His thanks extended to the community, which has been busy in its own way for the club’s 100-year anniversary.
The Moree and District Historical Society have plans to open a ‘pop-up’ museum leading up to the ball.
The display will exhibit old photos, trophies and memorabilia that charts the rich history of the club.
It is believed that it will be set up at the Max Centre on the corner of Balo and Heber streets a week out from the Centenary Ball.
For more information about the Centenary Ball, head to the Moree Boars Facebook page.
To purchase tickets, head to www.trybooking.com/vzuy.
