o Narromine Jets captain-coach Tim Walker takes the ball up to the Dubbo CYMS defence in their first round game. While the result of the three games at Cale Oval on Saturday will be important, of more signifcance is the Narromine club's bid to raise funds for beyondblue. Photo: JOSH HEARD.
Mental health in the Narromine area will be the focus of a fundraiser by the Narromine Jets Rugby League Club to be held tomorrow.
The project will be held in conjunction with their Group 11 games against Dubbo CYMS.
Jets secretary Corrine Mann said the community had been suffering from the effects of mental health and depression issues, particularly during the past few months, and her club wanted to do something about it.
“Depression is a very serious issue and losing people in our community is not something we want to see continue to happen,” she said.
“Most people know of family, friends or others around us who have died because of depression and issues associated with this illness.
“Our football club wants to do what it can to help fight depression and that’s why beyondblue will be the recipient of funds from our day on Saturday and we’d love to have the people of Dubbo help us.”
Mann said the day will get underway at 1pm with under-18s, followed by reserve grade and first grade.
“Our Narromine first grade players will be wearing specially-designed blue guernseys to highlight beyondblue and later at the Narromine United Services Club these guernseys will be auctioned off,” she said.
“The USMC is our major sponsor and we’d like to think that a good number of CYMS people will stay around after the games.”
Saturday will also be sponsors’ day for the Jets and that is certain to swell crowd numbers. As well, Narromine’s favourite football son David Gillespie will be back home for the weekend.
Narromine and CYMS have had a long time rivalry and while the Jets first grade side has not enjoyed a productive season in regards to results, they won’t be holding back.
CYMS ran away with their first round clash, leading 24-6 at half time before winning 66-16.
The Jets have won only two games this season and will certainly be up against it with CYMS holding down third place on the ladder behind Macquarie and Parkes.
Narromine is on the bottom of reserve grade and under-18s.
In other Tooheys Group 11, round 13 matches on Sunday, Macquarie Raiders play Wellington Cowboys in the match of the day at Dubbo; Parkes host Forbes and Cobar travel to Nyngan.
