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Parkes Phoenix

Everyone Is Welcome At Bogan Gate Golf Club

April 23, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Bogan Gate Golf Club has nine tiny black soil greens on a flat paddock with natural grass
fairways. Social players are welcome to play on weekends. Contact: 02 6864 3233.

The Bogan Gate Golf Course has a colourful history dating back to the 1920s when the original golf club was located at the western end of Bogan Gate and you had to hit over the Trundle Railway Line. One fellow claims he holds the longest drive; he hit off as a train was going past and the ball landed in a carriage and ended up in Tottenham.

The golf club were originally granted an area of 86 acres of crown land, and on the western side they also had a rifle range. Years later a Major came to the Army Camp who loved golf so much he set up a golf course and invited the locals to come and play. That lasted until the mid 1970s when a new Major arrived and it closed down.Then in 1976, the golfers obtained permission from Crown Lands to set up a golf course on the showground and the adjoini­ing land over the creek, making a 9 hole course with sand greens.

Over the years, successful grant applications have enhanced the clubhouse greatly.

The club is completely run by voluntary labour, meaning all the mowing and maintenance of the greens and course is carried out by volunteers. Many players say the sand greens are the best in the central west. The club has approximately 20 members, with quite a few of them who live in Parkes or Forbes and travel out.

About four times a year the club put on a meal after golf which is a great social event.

Meeting the insurance costs is a great struggle for this tiny club, so they need your support. They play 18 holes from the end of March until the beginning of November on weekends, mostly Sun­days, and over the summer they play Chicken Runs on Sunday afternoons at 5pm. The club is holding a free Family Golf Day on Saturday 3 May, so please head along and show your support. For further information contact 0457 709 829.

Magpies v Spacemen At Spooner Oval This Sunday

April 23, 2025 By Roxane Manley

This Sunday will be the first time that Forbes have opened the sea­son with an Anzac round against Parkes. Magpies Coach Cam­eron Greenhalgh said, “Training has been really good happy with our fitness levels and there has been plenty of high energy in our ball sessions.”

“The players are ready to play, pre-season is over I think the whole community is ready to watch some local footy.”

“Obviously our spine 1,6,7,9 will have a big influence on the out­come, as well as our forwards it will be tough, I don’t expect us to play our best footy for a while but we hoping for a solid start to the year.”

Forbes and Parkes are wearing special Anzac Day guernsey’s on Sunday. The Forbes guernsey’s will be auctioned off at the Forbes Inn after the game and the Parkes auction will take place at The Coachman Hotel. All grades will be playing with the girls kicking off at 10.30am. Head along and cheer on your local team!

2025 Parkes Netball Carnival

April 16, 2025 By Roxane Manley

A massive effort was put in by all volunteers involved in the 2025 Parkes netball carnival held on 13 April.

 


It was a great day of Netball! A massive congratulations to all the teams on fantastic games.

 


Congratulations to all of the playes in the teams who were winners and runner-ups on the day.

 


A big thank you to all involved, without whom carnivals like this can’t run.

Be Seen @ Regional League With Forbes Netball

April 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The Forbes Netball Open Representative team played outstanding netball to finish runner-up to Dubbo, in the West/Central West Regional League competition at the weekend.

 


The team played rounds over Saturday and Sunday, with two wins and a draw in round one, and a much improved team finished round two with four wins and a loss.

 


This put Forbes into the semifinals against Blayney, where the Forbes team again played outstanding skilled netball to defeat Blayney 17-13 to progress to the grand final against Dubbo.

Boars Strong In Pre-season Matches

April 3, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The Parkes Boars men’s side was too strong for the other teams on the day.

Last Saturday, 29 March the Parkes Boars men’s and women’s teams travelled to Boorowa to play in the Boorowa Beer and Rugby Festival. It was a success­ful day on the paddock with the women’s team winning two out of their three games, and the men’s side taking out all three of their games. The season is certainly look­ing promising after the weekend’s perfor­mances! If you are interested in playing rugby this year, show up to training at Spicer Oval on Tuesday and Thursday’s from 6:30pm and ask for Chris Summerhayes or Chris Reyn­olds. If you would like to know more please message the Parkes Boars RUFC through Messenger.

The Parkes Boars women’s team are looking forward to a successful 2025 season.


The Parkes Boars players that travelled to Boorowa last weekend.

Funding Awarded To Local Shooting Facilities

March 27, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Shooting organisations in the Orange electorate have shared in almost $800,000 NSW Government funding after grants were awarded in the Safe Shooting Program.

The organisations were among 25 Statewide to receive grants of $10,000 – $50,000 for projects that improve storage, safety and security at shooting facilities, as well as purchase new equipment.

The Program also invests in projects which incorporate inclusive design to improve environmental sustainability and increase use of shooting facilities.

Another key objective of the Program is increasing participation in shooting by removing barriers for women and girls, people with disability, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguis­tically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP said “I’m a massive sup­porter of all our shooting sports, many of which are deeply rooted in our nation’s history.

“I congratulate both the Parkes Pistol Club and the Eugowra Ri­fle Club on respectively receiving $18,000 and $21,000 in grants funding, which will enhance club equipment and infrastructure to help ensure the ongoing growth and success of shooting sports here in the Orange electorate,” Mr Donato said.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said, “This funding will play a role in supporting the next generation of Olympians and ensure Australia’s success at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.”

For information on the Safe Shooting Program and the list of grant recipients, visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/grants/safe-shooting-program

Twelve Local Fighters Ready To Step In The Ring For Fight Night

March 20, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Local amateur boxers at Tommy’s Backyard Boxing Gym: Ace Hancock, Xaiver Ward, Linkin Anderson, Oliver Hayes, Riley Pizzi, Leon Michel and Lane Jones. Absent: Shellie McKiernan and Orin McDermott.

The much-anticipated ‘Boxing In Parkes’ fight night presented by Mayhem Fight Se­ries is set to take place tomorrow night, Sat­urday 22 March at the Parkes Leagues Club.

This event is an Amateur boxing showcase, which will feature many local fighters from Parkes and the surrounding area. Mayhem Fight Series have previously hosted hugely successful fight nights in Parkes, and this weekend’s event will be no exception, so don’t miss out – grab some tickets or book a table now.

Ace Hancock

Ace Hancock from Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing will face-off against Jake Doyle from Gulgong Boxing Club. Ace is new to the sport of boxing and at just 14 years of age he just made the cut, as that is the minimum age to start competing. After only five weeks of training Ace had his first fight in Dubbo, which ended with a split decision and he lost by only one point. He is confident coming into his second fight, saying that losing his first fight “was good” because it has given him the motivation to “step it up”.

Ollie Hayes

Olliver Hayes from Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing will face-off against Jordan Smart from Fighting Arts Belmont. Sixteen year old Oliver is fighting a rematch against an oppo­nent from Orange that he beat in their previ­ous encounter. That fight was a split deci­sion and was a close fight, Ollie said: “It’s a good match-up”. This will be Ollie’s first fight this year but he had 10 fights last year and two the year before, for nine wins and three loses. Ollie has been working on step­ping up the pace since his last fight against Jordan.

Linkin Anderson

Linkin Anderson from Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing will face-off against Lucas Mil­lemaggi from Narrandera Boxing. Linkin is fresh off a fight last week in Sydney and is “feeling really confident” in the lead up to his fight against Lucas in Parkes. Linkin has been working on a lot of footwork and power punches on the bag, as well as doing a lot of sparring over at Orange, claiming he is the fittest he’s ever felt.

Shellie McKiernan

One of the women stepping in the ring this Saturday night is Shellie who has been box­ing for approximately three years. Shellie likes the discipline and physical conditioning that she gets from boxing, claiming: “Box­ing has helped me in my personal life, as well as allowing me to achieve a physical challenge. I also enjoy the camaraderie of Tommy’s Backyard Boxing.”

The doors open at 4pm and fights start at 5pm. For VIP tables and sponsor opportuni­ties call John on 0411 648 890. There will be tickets available for purchase on the night at the door, but to avoid any disappoint­ment and to be guaranteed a seat, please purchase your tickets beforehand. Tickets available through 123Tix at https://www.123tix.com.au/events/47343/mayhem-fight-series-presents-boxing-in-parkes

Mayhem Fight Series Presents: Boxing In Parkes

March 13, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Two of the fighters from Tommy Wards Backyard Boxing in Parkes, Riley Pizzi (left) and Xavier Ward (right).

Mayhem Fight Series is hosting Boxing In Parkes on Saturday 22 March at the Parkes Leagues Club. This amateur boxing event which will feature many local fighters from Parkes and the surrounding area.

The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix caught up with Tommy, and a couple of the fighters preparing for the upcoming fight night, at Tommy Wards Backyard Boxing Gym.

For Tommy Ward it is just another fight night, and with 40 years in the game, he expects the same work rate week in week out from his fighters. “I teach them how fit they have to be, how they have to perform and where their skill set is,” said Tommy.

“They have all been working hard, but it’s not about winning or losing, it is about com­peting at your best and walking out of the ring happy.”

Xavier Ward vs Brodie Brown

Fourteen year old Xavier Ward, training under Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing, will face off against Brodie Brown from Orange.

Xavier is actually Tommy Ward’s grandson and has been hitting the bag since he was just six years old. He has been patiently waiting to reach 14, which is the age you need to be to start fighting competitively.

Xavier has fought two exhibition matches before, but this will be his first real fight, and he says: “I am feeling confident, but also nervous to fight in front of my home crowd.” In the lead up to the fight Xavier has been working on a bit of fitness but mostly footwork.

Riley Pizzi vs Noah Savage

Fifteen year old Riley Pizzi, training under Tommy Ward Back Yard Boxing has been matched up against 17 year old Noah Sav­age from Steel City Boxing, Newcastle.

This is a big fight for Riley who is fighting on the night for the NSW Junior Middle­weight title against the current belt holder, Noah Savage.

Riley started boxing training in early 2023 and stepped into the ring for his first fight in September 2023. He has definitely progressed rapidly in the sport, recently at­tending the NSW League Boxing Amateur Boxing Titles held in Gosford in Novem­ber 2024, where Riley came second and walked away with a silver medal.

At training in the lead up to the title fight, Riley has been working on fitness, throw­ing combos and trying to read the oppo­nent. His strengths in the ring are his power and his work rate.

We asked Riley what it is like to compete as an individual sportsman but be able to train in the team environment at Tommy’s Gym, and he said “It’s a good environment and so welcoming, Tommy gives you op­portunities and makes time for you. You’re in the ring by yourself but you’re a team out­side of the ring, helping each other train.”

Don’t miss out on the action of Boxing in Parkes. Doors open at 4pm and the first fight is scheduled for 5pm, book your tickets now at: www.123tix.com.au/events/47343/mayhem-fight-series-presents-boxing-inparkes

Pictured in the black headgear is Riley Pizzi, sparring one of his training partners.

Local Talent Ready To Showcase Boxing In Parkes

March 6, 2025 By Roxane Manley

Pictured from left to right are members of “Hillbilly Boxing” Tyler Everingham, Jayden Monaghan and Montana Walker.

Tommy Ward Backyard Boxing will feature 10 fighters in an upcoming amateur fight night to be held at the Parkes Leagues Club on Saturday 22 March.

Two teams have been formed under different banners but both representing Parkes on the night, as they battle it out in the ring against opponents from varying oth­er towns. The Forbes and Parkes Phoenix caught up with the three fighters for “Hillbilly Boxing”.

Tyler Everingham, 15

Tyler will step into the ring for his first ever fight at the upcoming fight night in Parkes.

Being inspired by his Pa and uncle who boxed, Tyler has been training for the past four months and is feeling some nervous excitement ahead of his debut fight. Tyler enjoys the fitness side to boxing and meet­ing new people in the sport. His opponent on the night hails from Nyngan and Tyler will be supported in the crowd by his parents and brothers.

Jayden Monaghan, 17

Jayden started out boxing as a small child and then gave it up, only to return to the sport about two years ago. Boxing also runs in the family for Jayden. This upcoming fight will be Jayden’s first for this year, having a 2L-1W record from 3 fights last year, he is feeling very confident ahead of his fight and says he’s been working on “more combos and powershots”.

Montana Walker, 24

Montana started out in Martial arts before boxing in an exhibition fight in Cowra, and after relocating to Parkes two years ago and discovering Tommy Ward’s Backyard Boxing, Montana has found a passion for the sport. Last year Montana fought four fights for a 2W-2L record. Her opponent in this fight is an old sparring partner of Mon­tana’s from back in Cowra. Montana has been focusing at training on a lot of foot­work and head movement.

Be Seen @ Forbes High School

February 27, 2025 By Roxane Manley

The U15’s Boys and Girls Touch Football teams com­peted in a Western Gala Day in Mudgee this week.


Both teams displayed outstanding effort in their games, demonstrating a high level of school pride.


Well done to all of the students that competed.

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