“Emotional day” at Cook Oval as Wee Waa and Boggabri honour JT

Sunday’s Group 4 Rugby League games between Wee Waa Panthers and Boggabri Kangaroos at Cook Oval were played in memory of the late Jeremey Toomey, who died suddenly and unexpectedly last month.

Jeremey was a former Wee Waa Panther and Wee Waa resident, and he most recently lived in Narrabri and was part of the Boggabri and District Rugby League Football Club, where he spent time as the reserve grade coach and a first grade manager.

The two clubs decided to honour his memory after his passing and chose to introduce the Jeremey ‘JT’ Toomey Memorial Cup.

The results of the first grade, reserve grade and ladies’ league tag matches on both occasions when the two clubs face off will contribute points to the pursuit of the JT Cup, with Boggabri currently in the box seat after winning 70-10 in first grade and 68-12 in reserve grade after going down 32-0 in ladies’ league tag.

There was a minute’s silence before the games at Cook Oval on Sunday, and Clifford Toomey Snr spoke before the first grade game as he welcomed a large crowd to Cook Oval and explained the significance of the Jeremey ‘JT’ Toomey Memorial Cup.

Clifford, who is the late Jeremey’s uncle, told The Courier that it was a special occasion as the two clubs put on three hard-fought matches that were all played in great spirits.

“I had a conversation with Shane Rampling, the Boggabri first grade coach, about how we would like to remember JT,” Clifford said.

“JT lived and breathed footy, so we decided that we’d come up with the cup for him. He played reserve grade for Wee Waa and he later went out to Boggabri where he was reserve grade coach and then first grade manager alongside Terry Hynch.

“I thought it would be a nice gesture as a remembrance for all of his dedication that he put into football and to both clubs.

“He was a great mate, a great dad and a great husband.

“On Sunday, I just wanted to let everybody know what it was about and the reasons behind it, and I also wanted to wish all players good luck and to play how JT would have played and would want them to play.

“The players honoured him. There was no nitty-gritty stuff and there was nothing that would take away from the day being for JT.

“It was an enormous crowd, just what I expected. They got a lot of rain out there at Wee Waa but it didn’t deter the crowd from turning up and showing their support.”

Clifford’s son Clifford Toomey Jnr was one of Wee Waa’s best on the day, scoring one of the Panthers’ tries and setting up the other in the first grade clash, but Boggabri were ultimately too strong as they ran away to a 60-point victory.

Rampling said he thought that the three games and the atmosphere were perfect for the occasion.

“The games were played in very good spirits, in all grades,” Rampling said.

“It was an emotional day and both sets of players really bought into the concept, remembering JT. Some of the boys had tears in their eyes before the game, so it meant a lot.

“It was a big crowd out there and it was just very good all-round by both clubs.”

They will meet again at Jubilee Oval on Saturday, June 21, when Boggabri welcomes Wee Waa to town for their round eight matches and the final three games of the 2025 Jeremey ‘JT’ Toomey Memorial Cup.