Moving up a grade was not the only change the Fingal Bay Bomboras have gone through in the past year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League (NHRL) team, now in A-grade, had an influx of new and younger players plus a change in coaching and committee staff.
With the changes has come a renewed focus on community, which is why the Bomboras has brought back its charity round.
“Once the committee was set up and pointing in the right direction, we knew we wanted to give back to the community,” club president Stuart McDonald said.
Money raised at the Bomboras’ home game against South Newcastle on Saturday, August 12, will be donated to Port Stephens Women’s Cancer Support Group.
The team will wear special jerseys for the day, one of which will be framed and auctioned off. There will be a barbecue and raffles on the day. All ladies who attend will receive a glass of pink bubbles.
Kick off is 3pm.
Sharon Mellor, from I Am Activeware in Nelson Bay, is not only organising the event but is the major sponsor again. Mellor was the major sponsor of the club’s last pink day, in 2014.
The club is seeking further sponsorship for the charity round with those interested asked to contact the Fingal Bay Bomboras on Facebook.
Fingal Bay, which won the B-grade grand-final in 2016, is sitting third on the ladder, behind Shortland and Dora Creek, with eight wins, three losses and three draws to their name.
The Bomboras’ performance this season has exceeded all expectations, even their own, and especially after talk in the opening rounds of busting the Bay back down to B-grade.
“We lost the first and third round and they were talking about moving us down again,” Bo Earl, the Bomboras coach this season, said.
“The fourth round we had a full team on the park, which made the difference.
“It took us a few weeks to get used to the structures I brought in, and for the playing group to come together. We had quite a few new quys join.
“I thought if we finished the season middle of the table I would be really happy. Now, I think we can go all the way and win it.”
Earl captained the Bomboras last season. This year is his first coaching (he only plays when he has to). But he has a slight edge over other coaches in the NHRL.
He receives a few helpful tips from former Newcastle Knights captain and current assistant coach of Australia’s rugby league team Michael Hagan.
“Hags comes down on training nights, and get to a few games when he can,” Earl said. “He gives me some input when he sees something we could work on.”
The Bomboras face Windale on Saturday, July 29, in Fingal Bay. Kick off is 3pm.