HARD YARDS EASY
League teams look to take next step at carnival

Preparing to pack down for a scrum is the RAAF Base Williamtown feared front row of (L-R) Corporal Darren Nolan, Corporal Adam Robinson and Leading Aircraftman Nathan Bolton. Photo by LAC Steve Duncan

Northern team member CPL Glen Tully sets his sights on Williamtown halfback LAC Christopher Kluft during their clash.

RAAF Base Amberley’s goalkicker gets the two flags up for this conversion attempt under threatening skies against RAAF Base Williamtown during the inaugural RAAF Rugby League carnival. Photo by LAC Steve Duncan

LAC Tony Chave looks for a way through the Williamtown defence of CPL Craig Robinson (No.14) and CPL Darren Nolan (No.12). Photos by CPL Mark Eaton

By Michael Weaver

THE RAAF Rugby League Association is making the hard yards a lot easier by staging its inaugural carnival at RAAF Base Williamtown from October 2-4.

The carnival attracted teams from RAAF Bases Amberley, Townsville/Tindal, Richmond (four players) and Williamtown and acted as a selection trial for next year’s national interservice championships, to be hosted by Air Force at RAAF Base Williamtown in early March.

After a poor showing at this year’s nationals, a group accepted the challenge to not only become more competitive, but win the next interservice national title.

Led by Air Commodore Geoff Shepherd, the RAAF Rugby League Association was formed and endorsed by CAF, with assistance from committee members Flight Lieutenant Glen Schroeder, Warrant Officer Ross Warrall and Sergeant AJ Smith.

“We held a selection trial before this year’s nationals and 17 players turned up,” SGT Smith said.

“This time we had almost 50 and there’s now 80 players registered, so the interest is definitely encouraging.

“But we’ve got a lot to learn about running a carnival and this one was pretty much a trial run. Next year we will have a proper carnival, with teams playing for a cup and best player awards.”

The plan is to hold next year’s RAAF Rugby League carnival at RAAF Base Amberley, which is a more central location for the teams.

SGT Smith said there is no better example of the commitment being made than that of the combined Northern side from Townsville and Tindal.

“These guys spent three days each way on a bus and paid all their own accommodation and expenses.

“It’s a real credit to them because without them the carnival would not have been half the event it was,” SGT Smith said.

The action kicked off with a bang when a severe storm threatened to disrupt proceedings in poor light during Williamtown’s win against Amberley.

Williamtown backed up again the next day in a very physical encounter against the combined Northern side, showing the spirit of the competition was alive and well.

The final day saw Northern up against Amberley, with both teams providing a close contest until Amberley ran away with the match towards the end.

In the wash-up, Williamtown performed best by winning its two games, making for some hard decisions when selectors sat down to pick the Air Force side (listed below).

The RAAF Rugby League committee would also like to acknowledge the support from RAAF Base Williamtown, its accommodation, catering and PTI sections and especially Paul Mason and Erica Smith for help with strapping and as medics.

SGT Smith said all bases should be prepared for next year’s carnival by keeping an eye on the RAAF Rugby League website: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/Sites/AFRLC/.

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