From premiership glory to grassroots spirit, NRL Hall of Famer and four-time grand final winner Shane Webcke knows what makes rugby league great.
Next Thursday, November 20, he will lend that passion and knowledge to Narrabri as he teams up with JA Smith Solutions to help support the Narrabri Blues’ return to the footy field.
The Brisbane Broncos, Queensland State of Origin and Australian Kangaroos legend will headline a special fundraiser auction at the Tourist Hotel that is supporting the Narrabri Blues’ bid to make a highly anticipated return in 2026.
The fundraiser, hosted by JA Smith Solutions and backed by their many trade partners, marks another show of strength from a community that refuses to give up on its local rugby league club.
The Blues celebrated their centenary year back in 2021 and marked it in style with a first grade minor premiership.
A few years later, the Narrabri Rugby League Football Club’s committee was forced into the heartbreaking decision to withdraw from Group 4’s 2025 season due to declining player numbers, the first time the club has done so in more than 100 years of existence.
The committee and head coach Hayden Bell have been working tirelessly throughout the year to ensure they are able to get back on the park next season, and part of that effort is securing the necessary funds to make that happen.
The Blues have announced several sponsors already for their comeback campaign, and Justin Smith at JA Smith Solutions is proud to be one of those.
Smith played for the Blues from 1996 to 2011, starting in under-16s and rising quickly through the ranks into first grade. He played most of his footy for Narrabri as a first grader and cannot wait to see his local club get back on the park next year.
“Our trade day next Thursday is an invite-only event, but that night, the charity auction at the Tourist Hotel is for the Narrabri Blues, and anyone is welcome to come along to that and bid for the prizes that our suppliers have put up,” Smith said.
“All proceeds from that night will go to the club.
“We have 30-odd suppliers coming to our trade show, and they come from all across Australia. They are donating all of the prizes.
“The charity auction is at 7.30pm. People should get there about 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
“We’d really love to see the local rugby league community there to support it. Even if people aren’t going to put a bid on anything, you can still come down and enjoy the night and show support for your local rugby league club.
“Shane Webcke will be there. Shane is from Leyburn (a small rural town in Queensland), and he knows how important rugby league is to small country towns. He will have a chat about that and will be up for a chat to whoever comes along.
“Personally, I’m a big believer in that if sport’s alive in a town, then the town’s alive. Sport helps cut down on crime and gives people discipline and work ethic, and also gives people real-life experiences.
“I played rugby league for Narrabri for 20-odd years. My father played for Narrabri Blues and my grandfather played for Narrabri Blues. There’s a lot of history there as far as the Smith family playing for the club.
“Seeing it fold after more than 100 years was not good for the town, so obviously anything we can do to support it is a pleasure to be a part of.”
The Narrabri Rugby League Football Club’s president Cameron Staines said the club was honoured to receive the support from one of their loyal sponsors and a former Narrabri Blue, and declared that the Blues’ comeback push was looking strong.
“Committee-wise, we are quite strong after a positive AGM,” Staines said.
“We have 24 people on our committee and we’ve filled all positions.
“They are all keen and excited to get our teams back on the park.
“I think we’ve changed the attitudes in the town. I think people are now optimistic instead of pessimistic about the Narrabri Blues. The excitement is there.
“Going over the bridge on a Sunday and not seeing anyone playing at Collins Park, I think hit a note in our community.
“The community are really getting behind us, and we really appreciate what Bucko (Smith) is doing for us next Thursday. That is going to be a really good night.
“To have a team and be competitive in Group 4, you need 100 grand in the bank. There are expenses for registrations and insurance and jerseys, and you need key players on your team to be competitive.
“With great community support like JA Smith Solutions’ charity auction and sponsors filling up quick, we’re feeling confident that we will reach our mark to get on the park and bring in some marquee players to be strong next year in Group 4.”
The Blues have recently announced their head coaches for the under-18s and ladies’ teams for the 2026 campaign, and the club will nominate four sides at Sunday’s Group 4 annual general meeting in Tamworth.
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