An Orange Emus side took part in a tournament of fundraising and excitement in Sydney’s Northern Beaches following their invitation to the ‘Bush 2 Beach’ Rugby Union Gala Weekend. 

The event, which was organised and spearheaded by Lisa Clark of the Narrabeen Tigers with the help and support of the Warringah Rugby Club, was aimed at helping fundraise to provide overhead and administration costs for Rugby Union teams in drought hit areas.

Teams from Wellington, Dubbo, Narromine, Coonabarabran, Bourke and more were all invited to participate across the weekend, playing against Sydney and coastal teams, with $15,000 raised for regional clubs. 

Emus will be one of the beneficiaries of that $15,000, which will be split between clubs across NSW. 

Orange Emus Rugby Club junior president Keryn Phillips said would be a huge help to sponsor teams and help people struggling with drought deal pay fees.

However, she said what was almost as valuable was the opportunity for some of the juniors to jump on-board to head to Narrabeen, just north of Sydney. 

All their accommodation, food and drinks were covered by the Sydney clubs, and Phillips said they couldn’t have been better looked after.

“Every single thing you could have needed we were provided … we were housed and fed and watered,” she said. 

The side played four games across the weekend against teams all over the state, but Phillips said they were the friendliest of friendly games.

“I don’t think they really kept score, I don’t know who won and I don’t think the kids could have told you either,” she said. 

“Aside from one game where we were getting thumped it was all even … but we swapped it up, we split halfway through one game and swapped forwards.”

The invitation only came two weeks ago, and school holidays meant Phillips was scrounging for players.

She put the feelers out on Facebook and had 10 boys from different teams all bite – not quite enough – but former junior Angus Ellem, who is now living in Shoalhaven, threw his name forward and he quickly turned up three mates to play alongside him. 

The rag-tag group quickly gelled, and Phillips said it was a fantastic way for kids across different age groups and teams to come together and get to know each other. 

The side awarded Jack Tracey their best and fairest award for the weekend, while other clubs also gave players gifts, including boots. 

It was also a good chance to socialise across the board, with 400 players taking part – 200 from regional Australia. 

Former NSW Waratahs player Phil Waugh, young Wallaby Jack Maddocks and the Warringah women’s team were also running skill sand drills sessions.

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