It was meant to revive the old days when sporting codes clashed and communities came together, but the Port Stephens Charity Shield could be finished before it even begins because of an insurance issue.
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A game between rugby union club Nelson Bay Gropers and rugby league club the Fingal Bay Bomboras, due to be played on Saturday, may not go ahead if an insurer cannot be found at the eleventh hour to cover the event.
Stuart McDonald, president of the Fingal Bay club which was set to host the inaugural cross-code game at its home field on March 3, said its usual insurer provided through the Country Rugby League, SLE Worldwide, pulled out of covering the event last Wednesday.
“We were literally just about to pay for insurance when we were told they wouldn’t cover it,” McDonald said.
“It’s a bit of a shame if it was squashed because of insurance. We won’t do it without insurance. We wouldn’t want to risk having players injured and not being covered.”
Country Rugby League was not available for comment at the time the Examiner went to print on Tuesday.
Money raised from the charity game was to be donated to Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network.
The Bomboras were to host it this year, and the Gropers at Bill Strong Oval next year. The clubs would alternate hosting the shield match in the following years.
In a show of support for the charity event, Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer sponsored the shield.
Nelson Bay Real Estate has thrown its support behind the Bomboras and LJ Hooker Nelson Bay behind the Gropers.
It’s a bit of a shame if it was squashed because of insurance.
- Stuart McDonald, president Fingal Bay Rugby League Club
Kylie Macnaughton, vice president of the Nelson Bay Rugby Club and a charity game organiser, said a “clash of the codes” had not been seen in Port Stephens for “a long time”. She said at its core, the shield game was to “bring back that community feeling where you go out and support each other, support the town”.
McDonald said the Bomboras and Gropers have been working together to find an insurer for the event.
According to McDonald, the Gropers insurer has indicated it would not cover the event either. The clubs are now calling on an insurance company or someone with experience in insurance to “put their hand up” and cover the Port Stephens Charity Shield.
“It’s a chance for a company to do some good for the community,” McDonald said.
“It’s not every day an insurance company can come to the rescue. They would be the ones ultimately letting us play.”
In return for its support, the insurer would be promoted as the day’s major sponsor.
Insurance has become a big part of sport in Australia. All footballers, no matter their code, are required to be insured for the season.
Without insurance, neither the Gropers nor Bomboras clubs or the players would be covered if there was an injury – on or off the field.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
