Spit roast, entertainment, and rugby fundraiser for young people’s education

Dangar Park rugby ground will be the scene of a carnival of entertainment, food and rugby on Saturday to raise funds for the Country Education Foundation, Namoi branch.

Everyone is welcome to the inaugural Santos Community Cup Charity Sports Day.

The communities of Roma, Queensland, and Narrabri Shire will come together for the day.

On the program will be high school sevens rugby, a Narrabri versus Roma ladies’ rugby sevens competition and, as a finale, Narrabri versus Roma men’s rugby match.

In between games will be entertainment for kids – a jumping castle, face painting and balloon tying.

And on the menu will be plenty of food and drinks including a pork, beef and lamb spit roast, fish and chips and more.

Santos is facilitating the day in conjunction with the Narrabri Rugby Union Club.

The Country Education Foundation Namoi branch which supports students across the Narrabri Shire was nominated by the club to be the beneficiary of the event.

The Education Foundation raises funds and each year distributes money as grants to support Narrabri Shire school leavers setting out on study or further career training.

The Foundation was launched in 2002 and over the years has supported hundreds of Narrabri Shire young people with funds to pay for textbooks, travel, accommodation, the kinds of expenses which they meet as they set out.

Saturday will be an opportunity to support the Foundation and shire school leavers

“Every $10 spent on food or drinks will see $1 donated to the Country Education Foundation,” said an organiser, Warwick Moppett.

Santos is bringing the Roma Santos community, that is the rugby club, landholders and community members, to Narrabri.

They will meet the Narrabri community of rugby club and community members for the day of sports and family fun.

“Santos has invited stakeholders from Queensland and NSW and the Country Education Foundation is encouraging the wider community to come and join in,” said Warwick.

“The rugby club is providing the day’s rugby – with sevens teams for women’s rugby, a high school sevens competition through the afternoon and men’s team of 15 from the Narrabri and Roma rugby clubs which will kick off at 6.30pm.”

“We are also staging a tug o war competition and a mother and child dash in the ten minutes between matches.

“And we will have a ‘kick for cash’ competition.”

The fund raiser part of the day officially ends at 8pm, but a band will start from 8pm in the club house.

“Everyone coming through the gate will be helping the cause for the shire’s young people,” said Warwick.

“We encourage people from other sporting fixtures, like the cricket grand final to come and join us after their games.

“We anticipate hundreds of people will attend and their contribution will provide a solid financial boost for the Country Education Foundation.

“We all understand the importance of education, particularly in the context of the difficult seasonal conditions, so coming together to raise money for young people’s education is a great cause.”
The Country Education Foundation Namoi branch will be on hand to explain more about the Foundation.

“This an opportunity for the Country Education Foundation to showcase and promote what we do,” said a spokeswoman and co-organiser of the day, Ellen John.

Gates open at 2pm.