A Day of Sportsmanship, Community and Celebration
Goldies Number 8 and 2024 Best and Fairest George Chudleigh, Against Cooma Red Devils.
The Boorowa Beer and Rugby Festival, now a highly anticipated event in the region, recently wrapped up another successful year, showcasing not only the strength of the local rugby community but also the spirit of Boorowa itself. Despite a wet and chilly start to the day, the
festival delivered a fantastic mix of sport, camaraderie, and fun that brought the
community together.
The event’s organiser, Andrew Corcoran, was beaming with pride as he reflected on the day.
“It went really well. We had a bit of rain at the start, but the district was stoked to have it,” Corcoran said, noting that the downpour wasn’t a cause for concern.
“We weren’t wishing that away. The rain stopped and we had some fantastic conditions for footy. It all went according to plan, and we ended up having ten clubs involved and 36 games of rugby throughout the day.”
While the weather was unpredictable, the festival’s success was not. The rain, while it lasted, gave way to clearer skies, and the rugby played on without a hitch.
It was a hectic but satisfying day, filled with nonstop action on the field and a clear sense of community pride off the field.
Corcoran highlighted how integral the local community was to the event’s success.
“The community really stepped up. We had volunteers on the barbecue, behind the counters, and helping as ground marshals and referees. Everyone was involved, and it was just a great
day for Boorowa,” he said. “It’s always nice when you can not only host an event like this but also see the local businesses benefit, with the shops and pubs getting a bit of a lift.”
The success of the day was also due to the partnership with Travla, the event’s major sponsor for the second consecutive year. “Having Travla on board really made a difference,” Corcoran explained.
“It helps us financially, with all sales from the event going directly to the club. That financial boost is something we rely on, and it sets us up for the year ahead.”
Supporting an Australian-owned company like Travla, which produces all of its beer domestically, was another point of pride for Corcoran.
“It’s great that we’re able to support an Aussie company that’s making a name for itself, as opposed to supporting overseas brands,” he said.
“Every beer is brewed right here in Australia, and that feels good to us.”
Though the weather didn’t allow for the same crowds to linger as much as in years past, Corcoran noted that the festival still had its upsides.
“It was a bit colder this year, so people didn’t stick around as long, but we ended up selling more food than usual, which was great. It’s all part of the flow of these events.”
Looking back on the event, Corcoran couldn’t help but feel proud of the seam-less operation.
“We didn’t have to call an ambulance, and the games went off without delays, which is always a big risk on a day like this,” he said.
“Most importantly, there were no major injuries, which is a win for everyone involved.”
Boorowa’s own rugby club, the Boorowa Goldies, had much to celebrate. Jason Stuart, President of the Goldies, expressed his pride in the club’s performance, particularly with the Goldilocks, the women’s team.
“It was great, and we had the girls (the Goldilocks) playing as well,” Stuart said. “The men played three games and came away with narrow victories in two of them. Unfortunately, they lost one to a tough Queanbeyan team, but they were up against some serious competition.”
The Goldilocks, in particular, were stepping onto the field for the first time in a big event like this, and Stuart was thrilled with their performance.
“The girls had a couple of tough games against really experienced teams like Parkes and Cooma, but for a group of girls where some hadn’t played rugby before, it was an excellent start for them,” he said. “We had enough numbers to field a team, and that was a huge win for us.”
Stuart was also quick to point out that despite the tough competition, both the men’s and women’s teams displayed great sportsmanship and skill.
“The men’s team had a tough loss against Queanbeyan but bounced back to win against Uni North and Cooma,” he said.
“And for the Goldilocks, it was fantastic to see them compete at such a high level, despite the challenges.”
With the season just around the corner, Stuart is feeling optimistic about the Goldies’ prospects.
“It’s always tough to judge where other teams are at this stage of the year, but we got a good look at Harden and Young, who were both at the festival, and they looked really strong,” he said. “But as always, those clubs are powerhouses.”
The Goldies are preparing for their first away game against Condobolin, a team that hasn’t competed in the league for a few years.
“Condobolin is an unknown for us, and that makes it a bit of a surprise packet,” Stuart said. “We’ll have to be ready for them, and the Goldilocks will have a bye that week, so they won’t play for a few weeks after that.”
For Will Munday, the player-coach of the Yabbies, the festival provided some useful insights ahead of the new season.
“We played three games, and overall, I think there were some pretty promising signs,” Munday said.
“We started against Cowra, which is a pretty strong team, and we didn’t get the win, but there were good things to take away from it. Then we played Queanbeyan and got a solid win, which was great, and finally, we faced Wagga Ag College. We were competitive, but they ended up getting the better of us.”
Munday, like Corcoran, acknowledged that more numbers at training would be beneficial, but he was still optimistic about the team’s potential.
“We could always use more players, but we’re not in a bad spot,” Mundy said. “We encourage anyone who’s interested to come along to our Tuesday or Thursday night training and give it a go.”
Though the weather may not have been perfect, Mundy didn’t think it affected the Yabbies’ performance.
“We’re used to playing in tough conditions, so the cold and the mud didn’t really bother us,” he said. “It was just about getting the cobwebs out and getting ready for the season ahead. And, of course, afterward, we went to the Aussie and had a couple of beers, which is always a nice way to finish the day.”
As the festival came to a close, there was a sense of pride and satisfaction in the air. For Andrew Corcoran, the event was a reflection of the community’s spirit.
“It was a great day, and it’s always good to see the town come together,” he said. “I’m excited about what we’ve been able to accomplish this year, and I’m looking forward to doing it all again next year.”
For the Goldies, the Yabbies, and the many teams that participated, the Boorowa Beer and Rugby Festival was not just about rugby. It was about the people, the friendships, and the shared love of the game that brought the community together year after year.
Next year’s festival will be bigger, better, and even more fun, as Boorowa continues to prove that it has a lot to offer on and off the rugby field. And as the town gears up for the season ahead, the Boorowa Beer and Rugby Festival will no doubt remain one of the highlights of the calendar for years to come.
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