Rugby league and union will be played on the one field in March when the Nelson Bay Gropers and Fingal Bay Bomboras go head-to-head in a “clash of the codes” for the inaugural Port Stephens Charity Shield.
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As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, the Bomboras rugby league club will host the charity game at Fingal Oval on March 3. Kick off will be 4pm.
Next year, it will be hosted by Nelson Bay Rugby Club at Bill Strong Oval.
“We used to have a clash of the codes years ago,” Kylie Macnaughton, vice president of the Nelson Bay Rugby Club and a charity game organiser, said.
“We haven’t had one in a long time, not since the days of the Anna Bay Eels, I don’t think.
“Really, this is about the community. Sure, there’s a little bit of town rivalry there but it’s really good to be able to come together, support each other, support a local charity and really get that small town feeling back.
“That’s the essence of it, to bring back that community feeling where you go out and support each other, support the town.”
Money raised from the charity game will be donated to Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network.
In a show of support for the charity event, Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer has sponsored the shield while Nelson Bay Real Estate is supporting the Bomboras and LJ Hooker Nelson Bay the Gropers.
Each club will wear a special jersey for the day.
These jerseys will be auctioned off after the game to raise funds. There will be other auctions and raffles on the day to raise funds plus a barbecue, live band and club merchandise for sale.
The game itself will be half league and half union. A coin toss will decide which half of footy is played first. The game will be divided into 40 minute halves.
“We’re not focusing too much on the union side, just getting out there and playing, raising money for a good cause,” Bomboras coach Bo Earl said.
For the Bomboras, which is aiming for a third consecutive title this year, the game will be a chance for the team to get onto the field.
New Gropers coach David Sharp said it was about bringing the players and sport on the Tomaree Peninsula together.
“We all socialise together, so why not play together,” Sharp said.