The 2021 Santos Festival of Rugby has been labelled as a major success by event organisers, as well as players, fans and many in the Narrabri community.
The festival included a welcome event at Narrabri’s Tourist Hotel, as well as NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds captain’s runs and a junior rugby clinic at Collins Park on Thursday, a long lunch at The Crossing Theatre on Friday which was followed by the Waratahs v Reds game, and across both Friday and Saturday an abundance of sevens matches played at Dangar Park by a range of teams from the Australian international side to Narrabri Blue Boars junior girls and senior women’s sides.
There was live entertainment from local talent Elsie Ford and DJ James Duncan, as well as the likes of Thirsty Merc, Furnance and the Fundementals and Georgia June.
Narrabri Rugby Club president Mick Coffey told The Courier that he was struggling to find the words to describe how proud he was of the Santos Festival of Rugby.
“I genuinely don’t have the words to describe how fantastic the whole thing was, how great it’s been” Coffey said.
Back, Nicole Alders, Cherie and Olivia Gibb, Helen Bell and Kim Rozendaal, front, Eden Rozendaal.
Back, Nicole Alders, Cherie and Olivia Gibb, Helen Bell and Kim Rozendaal, front, Eden Rozendaal.
Martha Harvey and Bernard O'Connor.
Martha Harvey and Bernard O'Connor.
Narrabri Rugby Club president Mick Coffey.
Narrabri Rugby Club president Mick Coffey.
Gus Ford, Tashanny Clark, Max Vogel, Holly Ford, Bernard O’Connor and Sid Harvey.
Gus Ford, Tashanny Clark, Max Vogel, Holly Ford, Bernard O’Connor and Sid Harvey.
Peter Rozendaal, Josh and Robyn Smith and Ethan Campbell.
Peter Rozendaal, Josh and Robyn Smith and Ethan Campbell.
Dave Duke and Chris Hedge.
Dave Duke and Chris Hedge.
Elsie Ford.
Elsie Ford.
Remy Smith, Ruby Fuller, Ella Crostand and Jessie Daemon.
Remy Smith, Ruby Fuller, Ella Crostand and Jessie Daemon.
Joe Melbourne, Hayden Grumley and Col Weir.
Joe Melbourne, Hayden Grumley and Col Weir.
Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher and Narrabri Rugby Club president Mick Coffey present NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon with the Santos Cup and $25,000 winner's cheque.
Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher and Narrabri Rugby Club president Mick Coffey present NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon with the Santos Cup and $25,000 winner's cheque in 2021.
Ash Carolan, Chris Fowler, Jim McKay (Queensland coach) and Linton Grumley.
Ash Carolan, Chris Fowler, Jim McKay (Queensland coach) and Linton Grumley.
Pat Wheeler, Lilly Cruckshank and Chelsea Hancock.
Pat Wheeler, Lilly Cruckshank and Chelsea Hancock.
Dianne Schoupp, Belinda and Philippa Schoupp and Olivia Bolch.
Dianne Schoupp, Belinda and Philippa Schoupp and Olivia Bolch.
Back, Sandy Tapscott, Fiona Brett, Georgie Murray, Lynda George and Bebe Mackey, front, Bev Mansfield and Jane Williams.
Back, Sandy Tapscott, Fiona Brett, Georgie Murray, Lynda George and Bebe Mackey, front, Bev Mansfield and Jane Williams.
Josh Gordon, Jeremy Brown, Harry Hayne and Jordan Druce.
Josh Gordon, Jeremy Brown, Harry Hayne and Jordan Druce.
Sophie Greentree and Molly Schutz.
Sophie Greentree and Molly Schutz.
Ruth and Steve Martin.
Ruth and Steve Martin.
James and Jackson Davies.
James and Jackson Davies.
Back, Hamish Dunbar, Will Davies, Josh Schwager, front, Dan Calavassy and Will McDonnell.
Back, Hamish Dunbar, Will Davies, Josh Schwager, front, Dan Calavassy and Will McDonnell.
Emmy Moore and Frankie Carolan.
Emmy Moore and Frankie Carolan.
Jane Albert, David Carter and Stuart and Deb McMaster.
Jane Albert, David Carter and Stuart and Deb McMaster.
James Houston, Kate Quirk, Jono Davies and Emma Whitton.
James Houston, Kate Quirk, Jono Davies and Emma Whitton.
Patrick McCutcheon and Lachie Lawrence.
Patrick McCutcheon and Lachie Lawrence.
Mel Elms, Andrew Leslie, Steve Dalton, Jason Elms, Shorty and Linda Croker.
Mel Elms, Andrew Leslie, Steve Dalton, Jason Elms, Shorty and Linda Croker.
Daisy Robinson and Jess Magner.
Daisy Robinson and Jess Magner.
Paul and Meg Wootton.
Paul and Meg Wootton.
John Tierney and Dean Hancock.
John Tierney and Dean Hancock.
Back, Marty Haire, Richard Schwager, Graham Cameron, front, Al Haire and Brian Mansfield.
Back, Marty Haire, Richard Schwager, Graham Cameron, front, Al Haire and Brian Mansfield.
Lincoln and Sarah Stewart.
Lincoln and Sarah Stewart.
Jenny and Peter Hood.
Jenny and Peter Hood.
Back, Benny Peni Madagiguli, middle, Jack Rae, Esava Ravouvou and Aisea Raitala, front, Eva Tui, Tui and Peli Raitala.
Back, Benny Peni Madagiguli, middle, Jack Rae, Esava Ravouvou and Aisea Raitala, front, Eva Tui, Tui and Peli Raitala.
Daniel Kahl, David Hanham, Paul Doorn and Mal Watts.
Daniel Kahl, David Hanham, Paul Doorn and Mal Watts.
Ellie Hatton and Carmel Harvey.
Ellie Hatton and Carmel Harvey.
Todd Melbourne and Shannon and Ollie Stait.
Todd Melbourne and Shannon and Ollie Stait.
Adrian Schwager and Simon Horton.
Adrian Schwager and Simon Horton.
Annette Finch, Jayne Onus, Amanda Fowler and Shirley Russell.
Annette Finch, Jayne Onus, Amanda Fowler and Shirley Russell.
John Edmondson, Steve Askew, Alec Calcraft, Bill Calcraft (former Wallaby) and Miles McColl.
John Edmondson, Steve Askew, Alec Calcraft, Bill Calcraft (former Wallaby) and Miles McColl.
Debbie and Brendan Childs and Justin Harrison.
Debbie and Brendan Childs and Justin Harrison.
Back, Kyra Hall, front, Kate and Deryck Ward.
Back, Kyra Hall, front, Kate and Deryck Ward.
Back, Todd Dunn (Santos project manager), Jennifer and Rhys Ward, Tim Horan (former Wallaby player), Zoe Saunders (Narrabri Shire Council), front, Donna and Anthony Brennan, Kevin Gallagher (Santos managing director and chief executive officer), Mayor Ron Campbell and Brighid Campbell.
Back, Todd Dunn (Santos project manager), Jennifer and Rhys Ward, Tim Horan (former Wallaby player), Zoe Saunders (Narrabri Shire Council), front, Donna and Anthony Brennan, Kevin Gallagher (Santos managing director and chief executive officer), Mayor Ron Campbell and Brighid Campbell.
Nat Smith, Louise Penberthy, Melissa Hancock and George Gourley.
Nat Smith, Louise Penberthy, Melissa Hancock and George Gourley.
Emily, Jason and Mandy Simpson.
Emily, Jason and Mandy Simpson.
Sherri-anne Sandsgreen and Mereki Dennis.
Sherri-anne Sandsgreen and Mereki Dennis.
Craig Gleeson (former Narrabri Blue Boars player), Ross McClure (Specialised Civil Services Narrabri), Rodney Onus (under-21s Blue Boars manager), Brett Nolan (Narrabri Rugby Club committee), Denis Harvey (girls coach), Chris Fowler (former Narrabri Blue Boars player), Steven Wood (former Blue Boars player) and Kenny Anderson (former Blue Boars player).
Craig Gleeson (former Narrabri Blue Boars player), Ross McClure (Specialised Civil Services Narrabri), Rodney Onus (under-21s Blue Boars manager), Brett Nolan (Narrabri Rugby Club committee), Denis Harvey (girls coach), Chris Fowler (former Narrabri Blue Boars player), Steven Wood (former Blue Boars player) and Kenny Anderson (former Blue Boars player).
Back, Grace, Terry and Alice Gleeson, front, Ella and Claire Gleeson.
Back, Grace, Terry and Alice Gleeson, front, Ella and Claire Gleeson.
Nick and Chris McClure, Will and Lisa Childs, Jayden Hayne, Abby McClure and Emma John.
Nick and Chris McClure, Will and Lisa Childs, Jayden Hayne, Abby McClure and Emma John.
Jenny Melton, Vanessa Tomlinson, Donna Brennan and Trudy Staines.
Jenny Melton, Vanessa Tomlinson, Donna Brennan and Trudy Staines.
Brigette and Murray Rose and Glenn Constable.
Brigette and Murray Rose and Glenn Constable.
Paul Gordon, Bruce O’Hara, Kevin Gallagher and Jack Warnock.
Paul Gordon, Bruce O’Hara, Kevin Gallagher and Jack Warnock.
Zara and Nicole Foley and Oscar Howarth.
Zara and Nicole Foley and Oscar Howarth.
Jason Moore, Gretchen Richards and Josh Kay.
Jason Moore, Gretchen Richards and Josh Kay.
Georgie and Jack Murray and Jillian Kilby.
Georgie and Jack Murray and Jillian Kilby.
Thirsty Merc.
Thirsty Merc.
Wendy White, Sonja Lein and Kim Rozendaal.
Wendy White, Sonja Lein and Kim Rozendaal.
Tom Gett and Will Cain.
Tom Gett and Will Cain.
Jen and Rhys Wood, Marcus P Lincoln Smith and Todd Dunn.
Jen and Rhys Wood, Marcus P Lincoln Smith and Todd Dunn.
Stewart Todd, Shane and Gemma Burns.
Stewart Todd, Shane and Gemma Burns.
Abby Gain and Serahnade Roache.
Abby Gain and Serahnade Roache.
Peter Murphy (Waratahs), Ron Campbell, Brad Thorn and Andrew Snars.
Peter Murphy (Waratahs), Ron Campbell, Brad Thorn and Andrew Snars.
Bella Cruickshank and Lachlan McMillan.
Bella Cruickshank and Lachlan McMillan.
Allan Grumley with Russell and Louise Stewart.
Allan Grumley with Russell and Louise Stewart.
Luke Stephen (NSWCRU vice president), Steve O’Brien (NSWCRU chief executive) and former Wallabies players Morgan Turinui, David Cody, Tim Gavin, Justin Harrison, Tim Horan and David Carter with Mick Coffey, (Narrabri Rugby Club president).
Luke Stephen (NSWCRU vice president), Steve O’Brien (NSWCRU chief executive) and former Wallabies players Morgan Turinui, David Cody, Tim Gavin, Justin Harrison, Tim Horan and David Carter with Mick Coffey, (Narrabri Rugby Club president).
Brighid Campbell, Helen Southwell, Wanda Dunnet and Lynda George.
Brighid Campbell, Helen Southwell, Wanda Dunnet and Lynda George.
Hayden Rorke (Director of Rubgy Australia) with Jason Moor (Commercial Partnerships, Rugby Australia general manager).
Hayden Rorke (Director of Rubgy Australia) with Jason Moor (Commercial Partnerships, Rugby Australia general manager).
Former Blue Boars players Jason Smith and Drew Chappell.
Former Blue Boars players Jason Smith and Drew Chappell.
Todd Nichols and Phoebe O’Neill.
Todd Nichols and Phoebe O’Neill.
Warwick Negus (NSW Rugby Board member), Mandy and Tim Gavin (former Wallaby and Rugby Australia president), Peter Murphy (NSW Rugby Positive Foundation) and Yvonne Findley.
Warwick Negus (NSW Rugby Board member), Mandy and Tim Gavin (former Wallaby and Rugby Australia president), Peter Murphy (NSW Rugby Positive Foundation) and Yvonne Findley.
Back, Brian Mansfield (Moree), Adrian Knowles (state manager Ray White Rural Queensland), Chris Malone (former coach NSW UNI), Steve Edgar (SAE Design Tamworth), Peter Dillon (Laser Plumbing Tamworth), front, Bev Mansfield (Moree), Jane Williams (Narrabri Shire Council), Kim Rozendaal (KR Property) and Darrell Tiemens (Tiemens Creative).
Back, Brian Mansfield (Moree), Adrian Knowles (state manager Ray White Rural Queensland), Chris Malone (former coach NSW UNI), Steve Edgar (SAE Design Tamworth), Peter Dillon (Laser Plumbing Tamworth), front, Bev Mansfield (Moree), Jane Williams (Narrabri Shire Council), Kim Rozendaal (KR Property) and Darrell Tiemens (Tiemens Creative).
Rob Southwell, Peter Sciberras (Commercial Partnerships Rugby Australia general manager), Bernie George, Rob Dugdale, Wanda Dunnet, Helen Southwell and Ben Hennessy.
Rob Southwell, Peter Sciberras (Commercial Partnerships Rugby Australia general manager), Bernie George, Rob Dugdale, Wanda Dunnet, Helen Southwell and Ben Hennessy.
Warwick Moppett and Jillian Kilby.
Warwick Moppett and Jillian Kilby.
Ben Watson and Brendan Greste.
Ben Watson and Brendan Greste.
Mackenzie Russell, Lauren Baguley and Emma Campbell.
Mackenzie Russell, Lauren Baguley and Emma Campbell.
Stephen and Julie Sevil.
Stephen and Julie Sevil.
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Jack Warnock and Lynda and Hannah George.
John and Jake Rumsby.
John and Jake Rumsby.
Nanette and Murray Watson, David Codey, Maria McDonnell, Richard Haire, Bill Schwager and Alistair Haire.
Nanette and Murray Watson, David Codey, Maria McDonnell, Richard Haire, Bill Schwager and Alistair Haire.
Jack Sharp and James Pursehouse.
Jack Sharp and James Pursehouse.
Justin O’Brien, Scott White, Lyn Rummery and Karin Ricardo.
Justin O’Brien, Scott White, Lyn Rummery and Karin Ricardo.
Olivia, Charlie and Geoff Gibb with Gemma Micalizzi.
Olivia, Charlie and Geoff Gibb with Gemma Micalizzi.
Breeanna Rose and Carly Baxter.
Breeanna Rose and Carly Baxter.
Di Parish, Loretta Meppem, Robert Parish, Nanette Watson and Robin Findley.
Di Parish, Loretta Meppem, Robert Parish, Nanette Watson and Robin Findley.
Former Wallaby Tim Horan interviews NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon after his side's win against the Queensland Reds.
Former Wallaby Tim Horan interviews NSW Waratahs captain Jake Gordon after his side's win against the Queensland Reds.
Mayor Ron Campbell, right, and Brighid Campbell.
Mayor Ron Campbell, right, and Brighid Campbell.
Lachlan Coffey, Tommy Shields, Cooper Shields, Nicholas Coffey, Charlie Byrne and Patrick Campbell.
Lachlan Coffey, Tommy Shields, Cooper Shields, Nicholas Coffey, Charlie Byrne and Patrick Campbell.
Amanda and Chris Fowler, Joe Smith, Justin and Karly Smith.
Amanda and Chris Fowler, Joe Smith, Justin and Karly Smith.
Susan Carter and Mary-Ellen Schwager. Susan is the wife of David Carter, former Wallaby player and mother of Sam Carter, Wallaby player.
Susan Carter and Mary-Ellen Schwager. Susan is the wife of David Carter, former Wallaby player and mother of Sam Carter, Wallaby player.
Back, Jack Graham, Peter Gett, front, John, Marce and Sophie Graham with Helen Gett.
Back, Jack Graham, Peter Gett, front, John, Marce and Sophie Graham with Helen Gett.
Ellie Rae, Shauna Cassidy and Eliza Bostock.
Ellie Rae, Shauna Cassidy and Eliza Bostock.
John Humphreys, Rose Cameron and Trent Humphreys.
John Humphreys, Rose Cameron and Trent Humphreys.
Hayden Bell, Jake Rumsby, Peter Quirk and Gerri Cruckshank.
Hayden Bell, Jake Rumsby, Peter Quirk and Gerri Cruckshank.
Alex Reed and Tenayah Woodward.
Alex Reed and Tenayah Woodward.
Back, Lesley Toomey, Jaylen Sharply, Meleke Dennis, Isaiah Cochrane, Chris Clark with spear, middle, Declan Rooney, Michael Stand, front, Kynan Gibbs, Kosta Rooney, Krista and Jarmarl Zarka, Max Dennis, Tyrell Russell-Towney, Jayden Russell-Towney, Pattie Lettice and Aleka Russell-Towney.
Back, Lesley Toomey, Jaylen Sharply, Meleke Dennis, Isaiah Cochrane, Chris Clark with spear, middle, Declan Rooney, Michael Stand, front, Kynan Gibbs, Kosta Rooney, Krista and Jarmarl Zarka, Max Dennis, Tyrell Russell-Towney, Jayden Russell-Towney, Pattie Lettice and Aleka Russell-Towney.
Phil, Lucy and Natalie Christie, Lauren Robinson and Hamish Christie.
Phil, Lucy and Natalie Christie, Lauren Robinson and Hamish Christie.
Back, Jack Warnock, Rob Dugdale, Bernie George, Rob Southwell, front, Jacqui Warnock, Helen Dugdale, Lynda George and Helen Southwell.
Back, Jack Warnock, Rob Dugdale, Bernie George, Rob Southwell, front, Jacqui Warnock, Helen Dugdale, Lynda George and Helen Southwell.
Thirsty Merc.
Thirsty Merc.
Tim Logan and Paul Robinson.
Tim Logan and Paul Robinson.
Gus Ford, Oscar Crockett, Tim Etheridge, Max Vogel, Toby Hayes, and Ted and Charlie Haire.
Gus Ford, Oscar Crockett, Tim Etheridge, Max Vogel, Toby Hayes, and Ted and Charlie Haire.
Pippy Donaldson, Lucy Ramsey, Erryn Todd and Georgie Carrigan.
Pippy Donaldson, Lucy Ramsey, Erryn Todd and Georgie Carrigan.
Pat Norrie, Fiona Brett, Georgia Murray, Jane Albert, Bebe Mackey and Sandy Tapscott.
Pat Norrie, Fiona Brett, Georgia Murray, Jane Albert, Bebe Mackey and Sandy Tapscott.
James Duncan.
James Duncan.
Geoff Artis, Justin Orman and Jim Pitman.
Geoff Artis, Justin Orman and Jim Pitman.
Back, Philip Norrie, Bruce Pyke, Grahame Herbert, Mike Beale, front, Julie Herbert and Beth Robinson.
Back, Philip Norrie, Bruce Pyke, Grahame Herbert, Mike Beale, front, Julie Herbert and Beth Robinson.
April Smith and Abby McClure.
April Smith and Abby McClure.
Matilda and Lyla Watkins.
Matilda and Lyla Watkins.
Furnace and the Fundamentals.
Furnace and the Fundamentals.
Chris Watkins and Ben Redfern.
Chris Watkins and Ben Redfern.
Jenny Wilson.
Jenny Wilson.
Annie Moody and Dylan Duncan.
Annie Moody and Dylan Duncan.
Ros Flood and Jim Pitman.
Ros Flood and Jim Pitman.
Jenny Seccombe, Lindy McMicking, Jenny Tucker, Chris Helion, Ros Kelly, Therese Greenaway and Chris Seccombe.
Jenny Seccombe, Lindy McMicking, Jenny Tucker, Chris Helion, Ros Kelly, Therese Greenaway and Chris Seccombe.
Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui.
Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui.
Melissa Hall and Leisa Eather.
Melissa Hall and Leisa Eather.
Furnace and the Fundamentals.
Furnace and the Fundamentals.
“We got lots of verbal thanks and handshakes over the weekend, but we’ve just started to receive emails and messages from people too, they are taking the time to properly thank us and I’m pretty proud.
“The club, the committee, all the volunteers and everyone who helped out, it’s something Narrabri is good at, we pulled it off.
“I cannot thank my committee enough, they all did so much hard work.
“There are a lot of other people around the club who volunteered a lot of their time too, we really appreciate it.
“Our Narrabri Shire Council was great too, the limited time for preparation did not deter them, they just helped get everything done.
“This will go down in the club’s history as something that will never be forgotten.
“From talking to people in the lead up we knew people were excited for an event to come to town so they could get out and have some fun.
“And they got that.”
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