Nelson Bay Rugby Club enjoyed a wonderful day at the Groperdome last Saturday, with the state member Kate Washington performing the official opening of the new $200,000 facilities on the Bill Strong Oval hill.
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Included in the upgrade is a wheelchair-accessible ramp from the hill to the clubhouse, ladies and referees change rooms, an electronic scoreboard and disability toilets.
The facilities, achieved through a state community grant and with plenty of voluntary labour, are expected to be a great community asset for many years to come.
The cherry on top of the cake for the Gropers club was winning two of their three games with a heartbreaking 13-12 loss to Southern Beaches in the second grade, where a sideline conversion attempt at the full time siren to win the game went wide.
In first grade, Nelson Bay had a strong 35-26 victory over the Beaches but failed to kick a single goal.
There was a minute silence before the senior games in memory on Wayne Bishop, a Gropers player back in the club's early days.
Speedy winger Noah Simpson scored two tries, but again it was the new faces for the Gropers who impressed, with hooker Keanu Kaa and halfback Onewa Tai crossing over for four pointers.
Players' player went to durable skipper Adam Edwards. Second grade players' player was Lewis Daley while the third grade award went to tough prop Riley Byfield, who led the side to an historic 22-12 win over Beaches.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by club president Gavin Rocher and patron Ray Milton, Ms Washington said that she was pleased to support the grant funding to upgrade the club's facilities and improve accessibility for spectators and visitors.
"The club is looking great, and it's wonderful to see the participation of women and girls on the rise as a result," she said.
"It was an honour to officially open the new facilities, and pay tribute to the club's committee and members who deserve much credit for what has been achieved.
"The Nelson Bay Rugby Club has an impressive history, now the their future looks even brighter."
The Gropers meet the strong Merewether club away this Saturday, before returning home on Saturday, May 21, to play Newcastle University for the hugely popular annual Ben Clarke Shield Memorial Day.
A long standing tradition between the two clubs, the day is a chance to honour the Clarke family's contribution to the community and Ben's sterling work as a volunteer until his passing 20 years ago. Visitors from all over the country will attend.
