Author: Family of League

Family of League are here to support those that have supported our great game!

John and Dianne Wynne, plus their two children, Ebony and Cooper, live in Nyngan NSW. Although, in reality, they’ve all spent so much time supporting Cooper in Sydney hospitals, that ‘home’ can have various meanings.

As a young fella, John played all his Rugby League locally, playing for the Nyngan Tigers as a junior and up to first grade/reserve grade. He went on to coach junior rugby league for many years as well as becoming a board member. John’s son, Cooper, also played in the Nyngan Junior Rugby League comp for the last 10 years and was a member of the Under 14s’ side when something terrible occurred.

On the 3rd November 2021, John and Diane received the devastating news that their 13-year-old son Cooper was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer), a tumour on his spine. Cooper was immediately flown 600km by air ambulance to Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney, with the family relocating to Ronald McDonald House, Westmead.

Cooper’s doctor stated: “Cooper presented to us with acute spinal cord compression requiring urgent intervention including a laminectomy and partial debulking of his tumour (as well as chemotherapy) to decompress the injury on his spinal cord. Unfortunately, the damage received by the tumour is likely to be permanent. Further surgery is anticipated and is likely to be prolonged.”

Last year, Family of League became aware that Cooper and his wonderful family were Canberra Raiders’ fans (that should read: rusted-on fanatics!). Amongst several ways of assisting Cooper and his family, we organised a meet-and-greet with several Raiders’ team members when they played at Parramatta’s home ground, even presenting Cooper with a Raiders’ jersey signed by several players.

Just a few weekends ago, we amped things up.

The Cooper family drove over 500km from Nyngan to Canberra, advising Cooper (as they wanted to surprise him) this was just a trip to visit family.

You can imagine Cooper’s amazement when his parents guided the car into the carpark of the Raiders’ new compound. Then, after a tour of the facilities, they enjoyed a private viewing of the Captain’s Run followed by meeting coach Ricky and all the Raiders’ legends. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Cooper’s favourite player, Cory Horsburgh, presented Cooper with his footy boots.

Furthermore, Family of League had also brought down the Raiders’ jersey (from last year’s Parramatta game), however it was now framed and signed by all Raiders’ players. When presented to Cooper by big hitter Josh Papali’i, surrounded by his Raider idols, well… let’s just say there weren’t too many dry eyes about.

To top things off, the following day at the Raiders Vs Dragons game, the Cooper family were invited on the field sideline to form an honour guard for the player entry. As a once-in-a-lifetime experience, they felt the roar of the Viking clap in unison with the flame throwing pyrotechnics (and, as it was only 13 degrees, the brief heat was certainly comforting).

Then, with captain Elliott Whitehead leading, on ran the mighty Canberra Raiders… through the honour guard headed by Cooper Wynne and his family.

Heading home, no doubt the Cooper family were overjoyed with their team battling out a tight win, but more so with what they had encountered over those two days. And that this awesome experience, as well as the framed jersey and many other magical Raiders’ moments will long linger in young Cooper’s memory.

We also hope that weekend, where the Wynne family’s beloved Raiders ‘gave back’, continues to make a real difference… as that family moves forward to face the long battles ahead.  

(Pictured above: the Wynne family front the honour guard as the players run on. Inset: FOL committee president Gary Green joins the Wynne family and Canberra players for the jersey presentation)      

A sensational day of bowls under clear blue skies provided the perfect day for Central Coast Committee’s first fundraiser for 2023.

Players  arrived  dressed in their favourite Rugby league colours from all walks of Rugby League Life.

Registration was under way at 8.30am, with the first of the bowlers making their way out for, what is referred to as, a ‘Spider. Meaning, all players congregate at all four sides of the rink, with jack placed in the centre. All bowlers bowl at once with the closest to the jack deemed the winner ,refer pics from drone.

We cannot put on such a great day without the continued support of the Board of Directors and Management of Ettalong Bowling Club who provide us with all the facilities required on the day.We thank them for their continued support.

Lunch was served at 1pm as everyone piled into the room for the all important part of the day Raffles and Auctions.  MC Gregg Kable got things under way with Comittee Members Lance , Lyndon , Jock Morris and  Brett Smith getting around the floor for the raffle. We thank all our sponsors for the donations of the quality prizes. The response was overwhelming so we thank all our participants for their generous contribution.

Plenty of old Footy stories were told during the day some more exaggerated than the original yarn however everyone was in good spirits with cold beer flowing freely during the afternoon.

We are were privileged to have as our guest speaker former Parramatta , Penrith and Test Player Neville Glover go through some old footy stories and also his achievments throughout his long career which had everyone hanging off every word. We thank Neville for his valued time

Auction Prizes were Norm Provan Signed & framed Memorabillia along with a Changa Langlands caricature Souths, & Bulldogs signed jerseys along with a framed Lighthorseman piece. The response was huge and we exceeded all expectations as many of the items reached well above the reserve.

All in all a great day out with the final financial result more than satisfying , Next fundraiser is our very popular Raceday at Gosford Racecourse with a date yet to be confirmed.

Here’s a tale of two stories. Where a small rural town, devastated by the loss of two of their own, came together to make a difference.

Life was near perfect for the Hale family. But when their son Billy died by suicide, they were left struggling for answers. Four months later Billy’s mother took her life. The following is how a tiny town has helped the family through their unimaginable loss.

At 21, Billy Hale was fit, handsome, healthy and a great rugby league player for the Goolgowi Rabbitohs. His proud dad Geoff says he was magic to watch on the field. He had just finished his plumbing apprenticeship, had a beautiful girlfriend, tonnes of friends and he was ‘the life of the party’.

However, on March 28, he inexplicably took his own life.

There was no indication anything was wrong. He left no hints, no note, nothing. The mystery of his death left his family bewildered and set off a chain of events that not only claimed his mother’s life, but left the small town of 260 reeling.

So much so, the townsfolk swung behind the family and organised a fundraising game/event between the Goolgowi Rabbitohs and Yenda Blue heelers.

This event was also supported by Family of League, with a donation of rugby league auction memorabilia raising several thousand dollars.

The following is an extract from last week’s local newspaper:  

Wow what a day yesterday was!! A huge crowd rolled in to watch 3 awesome games of football! It all started with the old boys’ game which was very entertaining seeing these premiership legends throw the footy around and have a bit of fun! Finally, the Goolgowi boys got over the line with a try to win it.

Next up we had the Yenda girls. A strong female team with some very good players littered amongst them! Goolgowi made them earn it though, with some quick runs and line breaks! It was a great game to watch with Yenda prevailing in the end.

Up next the main game. From the get-go it was physical and fast paced! Both sides belting each other early. Yenda jumped out to a 10-point lead, in the second half Goolgowi hit back and the sides went toe-to-toe in a fiery and passionate clash. In what was a very hot day, both sides battled through to the end which saw Yenda get up in the end… but they were made to earn it right to the final whistle!

At the game’s conclusion, we went back to the Yenda Hotel for a catch-up drink with the Goolgowi club, and to auction off the playing jumpers! The pub was jam packed! It was such a sight of two small community football clubs and their families, players, supporters and volunteers.

The auction started off with a bang enjoying big numbers coming in for certain jumpers. The total amount for the jumper auction came in at a whopping $22,074; a crazy amount of money raised for our mental health charities all from two little football towns! It was a magnificent sight! (end of article)

A final thought

Although the above loss of two people occurred two years ago, the ability of the town to come together ­­– as well as being supported by a neighbouring town – and show their support, had certainly been hindered by fires, floods and then Covid 19. However, it would appear that no-one in the town/s believed the full-time whistle had been blown for this family.

The above event activities secured funds to assist those dealing with unimaginable grief.

Together, when circumstances allowed, the townsfolk that organised, ran and attended this event set a fine example of how the rural spirit of supporting each other in good times as well as bad, can sometimes be the most important result of all. And hopefully raise spirits for those that are flagging. An outcome our game, and especially Family of League, certainly support!

National Wellbeing Manager Roxanne Moates shares a few rugby league wellbeing experiences at a recent committee event.

Ian Waraker (Sunshine Coast committee president), Kerod Walters, Danny Nutley and Andrew Blucher (Queensland State Manager).

CELEBRATING FAMILY OF LEAGUE’S SUNSHINE COAST

From the opening rays of brilliant sunshine bursting across the early morning greens of Forster Tuncurry Golf Course, it was obvious to all and sundry that this event would more than exceed our greatest expectations.

As the hypnotic fragrance of bacon and eggs lashed the senses and drew our golf-club-wielding warriors to the kick-off meeting point, we gathered for a group photograph then saddled up our golf buggies and took off to indulge ourselves on these stunningly beautiful Mid North Coast fairways.

Around four hours and five thousand laughs later, over 40 buggies sojourned back to the clubhouse to share war stories, and partake in the lunchtime festivities orchestrated by our MC Mick Stone.

Once a hearty plate of delicious Forster/Tuncurry delights had been ‘woofed down’, Mick entertained our near 200 event guests with humorous anecdotes and comical analysis pertaining to some of our seated (and good humoured) rugby league players. Our MC then applied an appropriate and respectful tone as he acknowledged those players that had passed in the last 12 months.

The mood then kicked up a beat as it was announced there were at least 8 internationals present in the room, as well as a plethora of high-profile players… with most keen to have a yarn on the microphone, once ref Mick made the call. Without exception, players used to running on and passing the ball with pinpoint precision, were now tossing around gag after gag, which went down a treat with our more-than-appreciative audience.

Of note was the hilariously ‘raw’ experience shared by Robbie McCormack, when, in his playing prime, it was made clear to him in no uncertain terms that he had just been tackled by NSW Legend Tommy Raudonikis.

Manly great Johnny Gibbs was then interviewed by Penrith/North Sydney Bears favourite Graeme Jennings, who trawled deep into John’s playing and media experiences… guaranteeing those that hadn’t cracked a laugh until now, had no excuse!

Then it was time to give our ribs a break as Family of League National Wellbeing Manager Roxanne Moates articulated exactly why we were all at this event, and the tremendous impact this foundation has on the lives of those in the rugby league community needing a hand.

Roxanne’s clarion call was the perfect ‘pep talk’ to inspire participants in the following rugby league memorabilia auction. Auctioneer Charlie Haggett took bids from all over the field and inspired those with pockets to go deeper and longer… making this day a real winner for wellbeing financial support! Tasked with selling a raft of league goodies, from wine, golf balls, signed footballs, right across to signed/framed pictures as well as jerseys, this end of the clubhouse was busier than the loading dock of an Amazon warehouse!

Once all was done and dusted, our more-than-entertained guests made their way to their various Friday night destinations, comforted in the knowledge that this absolutely brilliant day would also provide solutions for those in desperate need.

Thanks to Brian Atherton and the Family of League Mid North Coast Committee for your combined energy and expertise displayed throughout this event.