Last night at Tuskers training, something quite remarkable happened….
Whilst the lads were training hard for this weekends GrainCorp Cup qualifying final, two people slipped quietly into the #Temora Rugby Union Clubhouse. They were proud Warringah Rats Official Supporters Page Club members, Murray Ward and Jill Ward, fresh from Rats Shute Shield victory celebrations.
Whilst they were still on cloud 9 regarding their Clubs first premiership win since 2005, you could sense their sadness as they still mourn the loss of the son, Lachie who died suddenly on the field, playing for their beloved club, less than three months ago.
They spoke freely and often about him, as they explained his love of life, love of rugby and amazingly, his love of our town, Temora. Apparently, Lachie traveled all over the country with his maintenance contracting work for Australia Post. However, for some reason, he fell in love with our town. Murray explained last night, that he had never come across more friendly, welcoming people, and even the week before his death, Lachie was working here in Temora, mingling with the locals after work, in a couple of the local establishments as many tradies do when working away from home.
Through his work with local concreter, Rodney Kerry, Murray arranged last night's impromptu visit, where he introduced himself to our players, and told this story and in doing so, created an unbreakable friendship between the Tuskers and the Rats, based on the common denominator of his son and the sport of Rugby Union.
Murray and Jill (with the assistance of the Australian Rugby Union) gave to our club, a Framed signed Wallabies jersey, a signed Ausie 7s jersey, the proceeds of a special raffle run by the Warringah Rugby Club, plus heaps of NSW Country Eagles gear for our players. It was a totally unexpected and generous gesture, that means so much to our players, oldboys and supporters.
Whilst this generosity is simply astounding, it was the announcement that the Warringah Club wishes to bring their squad to Temora for their 2018 Country pre-season trial that was most exciting. This event in Feb/March 2018, will further strengthen links between our city/country clubs and create huge opportunities for our junior and coaching development.
Whilst the Ward Family struggle to come to terms with the loss of a son and sibling, they can hopefully take some comfort, that his passing has lead to something so positive, and the knowledge that the whole Rugby Community, which includes the #TuskerFamily has their back through these dark and difficult days.
The Temora rugby Union Club wishes to pass on their thanks to the Murray and Jill and the Warringah Rugby Club for their generosity and to Rodney and Jacqui Kerry for helping make it all happen.
