Country RL - Bush Telegraph #15

This week's edition of the Bush Telegraph highlights a great initiative from the Central Newcastle RLFC, fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation and plenty of information about next week's AAMI Country V City match.

Great initiative from Central Newcastle RLFC

200 kids have registered for the Hunter United Credit Union sponsored Junior Rugby League Coaching Clinic to be held by Central Newcastle RLFC and registrations have now closed. The free clinic will be held at St John Oval next Tuesday 29 April between 5.00 pm and 7.00pm.

Coaching will be provided by Matt Lantry and his highly skilled coaching staff with assistant from Central senior players. Besides having football fun, each participant will receive a free sausage sandwich, drink and water bottle.

Newcastle Knights Timana Tahu, a Central junior, and Clint Newton will be there to sign autographs.

The Butcher Boys and Hunter United are both community based organisations encouraging kids to play and enjoy rugby league.

Kurri Mongrels and Macquarie Scorpions getting together for a great cause.

The Kurri Mongrels are a group of mountain bicycle riders that get together socially for fun on two wheels (quite a few of these blokes have played for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in their younger days), however there is a serious side to this group as well.

Over the last four years the Mongrels have been raising money for charities by having a 5 day mountain bike tour.

The 2014 tour will be raising money for the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF), as you all know, Mark is a legend of the Newcastle Knights Rugby League Club and the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs club, Mark played in the 1995 Kurri Kurri Grand Final winning side, the 1997 and the 2001 Knights Grand Final winning sides and he played all three games for the NSW Blues State of Origin side in 2001, Mark was further honoured by being selected as fullback for the Kurri Kurri Rugby League team of the Century in 2010. Apart from his terrific rugby league career Mark is one of the nicest and most genuine people you will meet. Unfortunately Mark has been fighting a battle with brain cancer and in October 2013 set up his foundation to raise funds for research into brain cancer.

The fourth day of the Mongrels 2014 tour, Saturday the 26th of April brings the Mongrels tour to Toronto, this is also the day that the Macquarie Scorpions play at home to the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs, around 40 Mongrels will ride into town and then to Peacock Oval to support the Bulldogs. Macquarie are very pleased to host the Mongrels and will support their fund raising activities on the day, the Mongrels will be raffling a signed football jersey that will be on display at the ground on the day, the Macquarie Scorpions urge all of our supporters to dig deep to buy those raffle tickets. After the game the Mongrels and the Kurri Kurri club will come back to the Toronto Workers Club for the after match presentation, all Scorps supporters are urged to attend this fun evening for a great cause.

CRL 80 Year Celebration Dinner

With the anticipation of the AAMI Country v City Origin match building, all of NSW's Central West is getting excited for the first weekend in May.

To celebrate 80 years of Country Rugby League in 2014, the Country Rugby League will be holding a 80 Year Celebration Dinner on Friday May 2nd, supported by partners Dubbo RSL, CUB, Dubbo City Council and Men of League.

This dinner will highlight another important milestone in Country Rugby League and local history, 40 years since Western Division defeated Penrith in the 1974 Amco Cup Final.

With Special Guest speakers from the VB Country Origin and GIO City Origin sides in attendance, the dinner will kick off the weekend - supporting Men of League and local Rugby League.

The night includes interviews and auctions, 2 Course Dinner and Drinks - followed by the Australia v New Zealand Test match on the big screen.

Tickets are on sale now through Dubbo RSL $65 each (Tables of 8 Available) - contact Dubbo RSL Events Centre 02 6882 4411.

Tickets selling fast for AAMI Country V City clash in Dubbo

General Public tickets are on sale for the 2014 AAMI Country v City Origin at Caltex Park in Dubbo, with family friendly tickets starting at just $8 for a child and $40 a family.

"We have received strong support from Dubbo City Council and the local community we look forward to celebrating our 80th anniversary in Dubbo with the AAMI Country v City Origin."

"We are proud the game will be played in Dubbo in May," Greenberg said.

"We would be delighted to see a crowd of 15,000 for the game and I hope it will act as an inspiration for young bush players."

The match will be held on Sunday, 4 May 2014.

"The AAMI Country v City is a great way to get spotted as a young talent," Brad Fittler, GIO City Team Coach said.

"I think it's great that we play the match in the country and I look forward to seeing more of Dubbo and meeting the locals."

This is the 80 year anniversary of the CRL, with celebrations and events planned in the lead up to the AAMI Country v City.

Tickets can be purchased at ticketek.com or through Dubbo RSL 178 Brisbane St, Dubbo NSW 2830 - (02) 6882 4411.

Join the DUBBO FOOTY TRAIN!

Grab a few of your mates or bring the family to Dubbo and Dubbo Apex Club's Caltex Park (formerly Apex Oval) for what is promised to be a spirited clash between the maroons and the blues.

Sit back and relax and enjoy the comfort and convenience of the NSWTrainLink's XPT whilst you take time to catch up on news, or reconnect with the kids.

The Dubbo Footy Train package includes travel to Dubbo and return, 2 nights' accommodation plus breakfast, admission to the game, free entry to Taronga Western Plains Zoo and 50% discount on a game at Players Paintball.

All this for only $214 per person - double/twin share departing Central Station. Package also includes transfers from Dubbo Railway Station to accommodation and the game PLUS $10 taxi voucher per adult (18 years over). Kids travel Sydney/Dubbo/Sydney for only $2!

Visit www.crlnsw.com.au for more information.

Contact Gilpin Travel Travel Beyond Group on 02 6882 6505 for more information or to book your seat on the Dubbo Footy Train.

Check the CRLNSW website for previous editions of the Bush Tele - click here.