Blue Boars host presentation night at the Tourist Hotel | PHOTOS

Narrabri Rugby Club raised the bar even higher in their 60th-anniversary year in 2024 as they enjoyed success on and off the field.

The Blue Boars were one of two Central North Rugby Union clubs, the other being the Tamworth Pirates, to feature in the finals series in all three grades this season.

The Narrabri club also earned the right to host grand final day for the first time since 2014, and they won two of the three premierships on offer in front of a home crowd on Saturday, August 31.

The club’s women’s team claimed their second straight 10s competition minor and major premiership double as they finished first on the ladder and then prevailed 29-12 against the Gunnedah Red Devils in the grand final.

The first grade team placed second on their ladder and then downed the minor premiers, Moree Bulls, 31-27 in a thrilling grand final match that saw Damon Gleeson dive over for the winning try after the bell.

The club’s second grade side placed fourth on their competition ladder and lost in week one of the finals.

The Blue Boars celebrated the 2024 season at the Tourist Hotel on Friday night, where they held their annual awards presentation event.

The Prendergast presidential award recipients Gerri Rumsby and Alex Reed. The Prendergast presidential award recipients Gerri Rumsby and Alex Reed.

Angie Jones receives the Zingari trophy for the Blue Boars’ club person of the year, presented by Wayne Nott. Angie Jones receives the Zingari trophy for the Blue Boars’ club person of the year, presented by Wayne Nott.

Peta Cox receives the Brad Hannaford memorial shield for the club’s best and fairest player, presented by club captain Morgan Jones. Peta Cox receives the Brad Hannaford memorial shield for the club’s best and fairest player, presented by club captain Morgan Jones.

Will McDonnell receives the Perry Gilmore shield for first grade best and fairest, presented by Craig Gleeson and Michael Cain. Will McDonnell receives the Perry Gilmore shield for first grade best and fairest, presented by Craig Gleeson and Michael Cain.

Bella Cruickshank receives the Ian Hillam memorial shield for the club’s highest point-scorer, presented by Michael Cain. Bella Cruickshank receives the Ian Hillam memorial shield for the club’s highest point-scorer, presented by Michael Cain.

Will Ciesiolka receives the Bob Southwell memorial shield for the most dedicated trainer, presented by Jacob Nichols. Will Ciesiolka receives the Bob Southwell memorial shield for the most dedicated trainer, presented by Jacob Nichols.

Bella Cruickshank receives the Richard Cameron memorial trophy for best under-21 player, presented by Robert Guest. Bella Cruickshank receives the Richard Cameron memorial trophy for best under-21 player, presented by Robert Guest.

Gerri Rumsby receives the Amanda Fowler shield for the most improved women’s player, presented by Mitch Creighton. Gerri Rumsby receives the Amanda Fowler shield for the most improved women’s player, presented by Mitch Creighton.

Peta Cox receives the Helen Cameron trophy for the best and fairest women’s player, presented by Mitch Creighton. Peta Cox receives the Helen Cameron trophy for the best and fairest women’s player, presented by Mitch Creighton.

Mikey O’Brien receives the Oz Gett memorial trophy for the best and fairest second grade player, presented by Nathan Nott. Mikey O’Brien receives the Oz Gett memorial trophy for the best and fairest second grade player, presented by Nathan Nott.

Sam Spanton receives the George Sevil shield for first grade best forward, presented by Craig Gleeson and Michael Cain. Sam Spanton receives the George Sevil shield for first grade best forward, presented by Craig Gleeson and Michael Cain.

Will McDonnell receives the George Sevil shield for first grade best back, presented by Craig Gleeson and Michael Cain. Will McDonnell receives the George Sevil shield for first grade best back, presented by Craig Gleeson and Michael Cain.

Joe Baker receives the Nolan family shield for the most improved first grade player, presented by Craig Gleeson and Michael Cain. Joe Baker receives the Nolan family shield for the most improved first grade player, presented by Craig Gleeson and Michael Cain.

Eight team awards were presented on the night, which were as follows:

Women’s 10s:
Amanda Fowler shield for the most improved player – Gerri Rumsby, Helen Cameron trophy for best and fairest – Peta Cox.

Second grade:
Bruce Etheridge trophy for the most improved player – Matt Heit, Oz Gett memorial trophy for best and fairest – Mikey O’Brien.

First grade:
Nolan family shield for the most improved player – Joe Baker, Perry Gilmore shield for best and fairest – Will McDonnell, George Sevil shield for best forward – Sam Spanton, George Sevil shield for best back – Will McDonnell.

Seven club awards were also won at the event.

The Ian Hillam memorial shield for highest point-scorer went to Bella Cruickshank with 100 points. She was also the zone’s women’s competition top point-scorer as well.

The Bob Southwell memorial shield for most dedicated trainer was won by Will Ciesiolka.

The Jim Meppem memorial shield for representative player of the year was awarded to Cassidy Morley.

The Richard Cameron memorial trophy for best under-21 player went to Bella Cruickshank for the second year in a row.

The Brad Hannaford memorial shield for the club’s best and fairest player was won by Peta Cox

The Zingari trophy for the Blue Boars’ club person of the year went to Angie Jones.

The Prendergast presidential award recipients were Alex Reed and Gerri Rumsby.

There were six CNRU zone award recipients also acknowledged on the night. They are as follows:

Representative coach – Daniel Kahl; Rhiannon Byers women’s comp best and fairest – Esta Kalatzis; omen’s comp grand final player of the match – April Smith; women’s comp highest point-scorer – Bella Cruickshank with 100; first grade comp grand final player of the match – Jake Rumsby; Central North services to rugby shield and medal – Narrabri Rugby Club’s president Mick Coffey.