The 2023 footy season will be the second for Will Wardle as coach of the Parkes Spacemen under 18’s side. 

Last year the under 18s struggled to field enough players and had to rely on some of the under 16s to step up, but Will said, “We’ve got a good squad this year.”

Will, who is a plumber by trade, moved to Parkes two years ago. He is originally from Chirlmere, west of Sydney where he played in the Group 6 League competition. 

Will went on to explain how he got the coaching role, “I turned up last year, was up there having dinner with Sammy and Joey Dwyer and Tony said, we need a coach, and I said if you get stuck I’ll do it, and I got the job.”

One of the team’s main priorities in the lead up to this season has been fitness, and they have been working hard at it, so we can expect to see some fast, exciting footy being played. 

The under 18’s have a trial game coming up on Saturday, 18th March in Orange against the Orange Hawks, which is sure to be a great test for the boys.

Some of last year’s under 16’s, are this year stepping up into the Under 18’s. The team also has a new half back from Condobolin and he is expected to lift the team, in addition to another great recruit from Canowindra. 

“If you are interested in playing this year, simply turn-up to training on Tuesday night, we are always happy to have new players,” said Will.

Michael Dumesny has been appointed coach for the Parkes Spacemen Senior League Tag team, for the upcoming 2023 season. 

Michael has previously coached the Parkes girls to a premiership back in 2016, before he headed across to coach league in Eugowra for four years. 

Michael went on to say how excited he was to be back coaching for Parkes, “The Spaceman have a pretty good crew in the coaching staff and a really good bunch of girls here playing.”

The Parkes Senior League Tag team came third in last years competition. “The girls had a great season last year, we are definitely looking to build on that this year,” said Michael. 

Heading into the 2023 season, Michael has his focus firmly set on the premiership.

“I just hope we can have a good year, win more games than we lose, and score more points than we let in,” said Michael.

The team have their first trial game coming up in Canowindra. Michael said, “Trial days are a really good way to evaluate the girls on the park, possibly swap a few positions around and eventually come up with a Captain and a solid starting team for Round 1.”

When asked what he likes about coaching the Senior League Tag team Michael said, “The girls are really switched on and always listen, it is a great team to coach.” 

Michael is encouraging Parkes residents to head to Pioneer Oval to support the Senior League Tag team at their home games. “The girls always perform at a top level, but having a passionate, vocal crowd can really lift a team and take them to that extra level.”

Anyone interested in trying League Tag are encouraged to head along to training on Tuesday nights. 

Rugby League fans should head to Pioneer Oval in Parkes, this Saturday, 18th February, to get behind the Parkes Spaceman in their first trial match of the season. The Parkes Spaceman will take on the Thilmere Tahmoor Roosters. 

Players and coaches are excited to for the 2023 season with home games always a big draw card for local footy fans. 

The coaches for this years season are: 

• League Tag: Michael Dumesny
• U18s: Will Wardle,
• Reserve Grade: Jimmy Clyburn
•  First Grade: Chad Porter

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we get to know the Parkes Spaceman coaching team in the lead up to the start of the season.

President of The Parkes Spaceman, Tony Dwyer said of the upcoming 2023 season, “There is a great vibe around the club. The boys have been in full training since the middle of January and with the addition of a couple of front rowers everyone is excited for the season ahead.”

Rugby league has a strong following in Parkes and we are fortunate to have a very healthy junior club, with a staggering amount of talented young players. For sisters Grace and Elizabeth Magregor, rugby league runs in the family. Both girls grew up watching their brothers and cousins play rugby league, motivating them to start playing football at a young age. 

Fourteen year old Grace has played for an impressive number of representative teams this year, including: Parkes U14s league tag, U14s Western Rams league tag squad, Katrina Fanning School Rugby League Cup U14s team, U14s Woodbridge Rugby League team.

When asked to pick a standout memory from this season Grace said, “My Woodbridge under 14s team was undefeated throughout the competition this year. Coming into the grand final we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game as Dubbo Goannas were our strongest competitors throughout the year. I scored three of the four tries in the grand final and got the player of the match at the end of the game.”

At sixteen years of age, Graces older sister Elizabeth Macgregor is an extremely sought after player and was involved in the following teams this season: Parkes U17s league tag, Western Rams U16s and U18s rugby league team, Catholic School Southern Rugby League country team, the inaugural NSWCCC team.

“My under 16s Woodbridge team went better than I think we all expected heading into the competition. I don’t think any of us had much faith that we would make it to the semis let alone the grand final, but we all really improved as a team throughout the year. We made it to the grand final, but Orange was just a bit hungrier for the win,” said Elizabeth.

Both girls were awarded top try scorers in their respective age groups for the season.

Grace and Elizabeth both attribute their success to putting in the hard work, keeping fit and grasping every opportunity that presents itself. 

They are both extremely grateful for their parents, who have influenced their love of the sport and have been their number one supporters, driving them to every game and ensuring they have every opportunity to succeed. 

Keep a keen eye out for these two talented Parkes sisters in the years to come. Considering the success both Grace and Elizabeth are achieving at such a young age, it is not a stretch to say that we may one day see the Macgregor sisters playing in the NRLW competition.

As it stands, there is some healthy competition in the Macgregor household, as Grace is an avid Roosters supporter and older sister Elizabeth supports the three time reigning NRL Premiers, the Penrith Panthers.

There is dedication to Rugby League and then there is the Price family of Forbes.

Damian Price and his daughter Sarah were gearing up for a weekend match with the Dubbo Wiradjuri Goannas in Wellington, while keeping one eye on a swollen Lachlan River.

Sarah plays for the Goannas Under 12s tackle team and she’s also a member of the Red Bend Blues League Tag team.

So, there’s a strong commitment to the game from the Prices – even when Mother Nature comes calling.

“It was a normal Saturday game and on the Friday afternoon, the water was only ankle deep, so we thought ‘Yep, we’ll be able to drive out in the morning’.”

The Price family home on two-and-half hectares is situated 200m from the road into Forbes. But as Saturday dawned the water from the Lachlan River was above-the-knee and rising. They couldn’t get to their front gate. “So, we got the tinnie out and when we got out onto Bedgerabong Road it was over a metre deep,” said Damian.

So, Damian and Sarah ‘drove’ their boat along the bitumen road normally used by car, to rendezvous with another father Blake Goodsall and his daughter on dry land.

“Blake was able to drive them to the game as I couldn’t get my car out. We just didn’t think the river would rise that fast.”

Other players from farms further afield stayed overnight in Forbes so they could get to Wellington.

Sarah came home the same way – with her dad waiting in the tinnie at the meeting point.

“She plays League Tag too but she just loves the tackle game,” he said. 

“I said to her, ‘Once we commit to the team we’ve got to support them no matter what’. That’s what she did and I did my part to make sure she didn’t miss out.”

(Story and photo: NSW Rugby League page.)

“When they announced the award and the prize, I thought in my head ‘oh wow that would be nice, especially watching the NRL grand final’, and then next minute my name was called up!”

Jessica Ashcroft of the Forbes Magpies was named the 2022 Women in League Award winner recently.

She had no idea she was nominated for the NRL award, which is presented to someone who has acted as an exceptional advocate for the advancement and opportunity of women in rugby league.

“I had so many mixed emotions and was shocked and excited, but most of all proud. Everyone knew except me! When I was standing up there, I had to say a speech and to be quite honest I couldn’t say much as I was still speechless.”

Jessica has played rugby league for Forbes Magpies Junior Rugby League Club from a young age and is an exceptional player for the club’s senior competition. She always looks for opportunities to pass on her knowledge and skills to others.

She has been described as a wonderful role model for the youth of the club, girls, and boys. Coaching the under 8s, refereeing for the club and mentoring upcoming referees are just some of the ways Jessica makes a significant impact on youth at her club.

Going forward Jessica said: “My goal within the footy aspect would be to referee at an NRL game. This has been a goal of mine for a while and I’m slowly getting there refereeing different ages and events. I went to Tuggerah, Central Coast to referee the women’s state titles.”

She said the recognition of the award had inspired her to push harder and further as a referee and player.

Parkes Marist junior rugby league club had an outstanding year with five of their sides winning the grand final in Grenfell this month.

The season could not have been such a success without the fabulous committee and the endless work from the volunteers throughout the season.

U11s League tag won their grand final against Forbes 16-4. The girls were outstanding with most of them playing their first year. Congratulations to Alyra Williams for receiving player of the match and to Charli Milne for receiving best and fairest runner-up in the Lachlan District 2022 season.

U12s Whites went through the year undefeated and won their grand final against Forbes 16-0. A massive achievement for all the boys. Congratulations to Eli Gharib for receiving player of the match and to Jett Clarke for receiving best and fairest for Lachlan District 2022 season.

U14s League tag White won their grand final against Forbes Black 12-8. The girls came out strong and dominated over Forbes. Congratulations to Jessica Morgan for receiving player of the match and to Grace Milne for receiving best and fairest and international player of the year for Lachlan District 2022. Grace MacGregor received best and fairest runner-up for Lachlan District 2022 season.

U14s won their grand final against Forbes 18-10. All boys played an amazing game of footy. Congratulations to Triston Ross for receiving best and fairest for Lachlan District 2022 season and international player of the year.

U17s league tag won their grand final against Cabonne 16-4. Being undefeated all season, the girls should be very proud. Congratulations to Jorja Simpson for receiving player of the match and to Jorja Simpson and Elizabeth MacGregor for receiving best and fairest runner-up for Lachlan District 2022 season.

The Forbes Magpies went in as the underdogs but stunned the Dubbo CYMS when they made history to win the grand final of the Peter McDonald Premiership 26 – 16 in Dubbo on Father’s Day. The town of Forbes literally turned black and white in support of the team and to top the victory Mitch Andrews was named player of the grand final. It was also a special victory for Cameron and Nick Greenhalgh who are not only coach and team captain, but also father and son.