Dubbo will officially make history next month when, for the first time, the city hosts a National Rugby Championship clash.
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NSW Country will land at Apex Oval in Dubbo on Saturday, August 31 as the Eagles franchise continues its bid to give back to the game at a grassroots level, following on from 2017's clash at Orange's Endeavour Oval and last year's at Mudgee's Glen Willow.
NSW Country Rugby Union executive officer Stephen O'Brien swept into town on Friday to officially confirm the secured fixture and, although the draw hasn't been revealed so it remains to be seen who they'll play, he said the Eagles will be keen to swoop on home soil.
"Most of our players originate from the bush or the country, they love coming here, it's like a little mini-tour four them," O'Brien said.
When asked if the boys play better in the country O'Brien said, with a laugh, "I actually think they do".
"You always play better at home," O'Brien said.
O'Brien said he hopes the game will inspire and excite both girls and boys living in a rural area, and he is particularly proud to bring the game to Dubbo specifically due to the diversity of nationalities and gender equality for sports the town represents.
"We celebrate diversity. We're a very inclusive sport. We've got players of different nationalities not only on the Eagles team but across rugby in general," he said.
"We're really proud of the fact we've got all of the Pacific nations represented - Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and then, of course, our Indigenous, first nation players.
"We're proud of our sport in that regard, and not just for boys and men, but for girls and women as well."
O'Brien added how important it is to inspire the next generation of women's stars too, particularly with Central West Rugby Union's Westfund Ferguson Cup booming.
"While it is a men's Eagles game, it's not just about the men," O'Brien said.
"All our male players will be the first to tell you that the women's rugby games have gone from strength to strength.
"I know that Dubbo does a wonderful Friday night youth girls' comp here, so the Country NSW players will be down there on the night running water for the teams. We're really trying to show some love to what is our largest growth in the sport."
Councillor Greg Mohr is encouraging those who love rugby to "absolutely get behind the event".
"Having the NRC play a competition here in Dubbo for the very first time is just another example of sports looking at our region as ... a strong foothold in talent development opportunities," he said. "Even if you're not a rusted on rugby fan ... the atmosphere (at) a good sporting event can be quite contagious."
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