CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS AND CANBERRA RAIDERS TRIAL IN DUBBO
Group 11 Rugby League is abuzz after the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Canberra Raiders entertained more than 8000 fans at the Dubbo RSL NRL trial last weekend.
Coordinated and underwritten by the Group 11 management committee, all stakeholders across the Group will benefit from the match staged at Dubbo's Apex Oval.
When allocated the game it was the Group's priority to encourage involvement at all levels. The two Dubbo clubs CYMS and Macquarie were professional in managing the catering and bar sales, feeding 8050 people is no easy job. While in the lead up Cobar, Nyngan, Forbes, Wellington, Narromine and Parkes were each allocated a number of tickets to sell - ideally the Group will use proceeds to pay at least half of the clubs' insurance bill for 2010.
Group secretary Bob Walsh said the consideration of the whole Group 11 community was crucial to the events' success.
“Without their assistance we would not have gone ahead with it,” Group secretary Bob Walsh told the Daily Liberal.
“Each club was given an allocation of tickets to sell for tonight’s game and they did that. The junior leagues had doubles and raffles, they did that.
“At the end of the day we hope each club will receive an allocation of funds to get them going for the year. The effort has been worth the while.
“If there is any money left, then that will be put away to cover the same expenses in 2011.
“We have to take into consideration that the smaller clubs in Group 11 don’t get too many opportunities to take part in major fundraising activities, this game and the endorsement from Group 11 gave us the opportunity to help them - but in turn they helped themselves.
The business plan adopted by Group 11 is one that Walsh recommends be used for similar fixtures in various other groups across Country Rugby League.
"By having the Group administer major events like this it encourages support from all clubs and enables the whole area to benefit," Walsh added.
A special mention should be made for the Dubbo RSL Club, Dubbo City Council and the media for their work in making the event a resounding success. More coverage on the game can be seen on the Daily Liberal website www.dailyliberal.com.au
