Local ‘hearts light up’ as Outback Rugby League returns

Australia World

The return of the Outback Rugby League (ORL) has delighted players and spectators, providing a crucial morale boost for isolated communities across far-west New South Wales.

The ORL is the first football league in the far west to resume since competitive sport was put on hold in March.

Silver City Scorpions COVID-19 safety officer Ross Morris said organisers, players and spectators had all been raring to have the league back in full force.

13 men and 12 women from the Silver City Scorpions team in the Outback Rugby League standing in front of their banner

13 men and 12 women from the Silver City Scorpions team in the Outback Rugby League standing in front of their banner

Silver City Scorpions players and members are thrilled to have the league back up and running.(Supplied: Silver City Scorpions)

The men’s competition will run as a modified eight-round season and the three women’s teams will run a round robin format starting Sunday, July 26.

Team training resumed in early July under the provision players followed the 1.5-metre social-distancing rule during training and warm-ups, with some contact drills permitted.

“We are now allowed to have contact within the team regarding team tackle bags, opposition defence moves, and techniques,” Mr Morris said.

Community struggles without lifeblood

The game offers one of the few social outlets in Wilcannia and Menindee and is often used as an incentive to stay out of trouble and manage personal problems.

“Every club across the board — especially our Indigenous players — are not just a team,” Mr Morris said.

Silver City Scorpions team gather with new recruits after training at Lamb Oval.

Silver City Scorpions team gather with new recruits after training at Lamb Oval.

ORL players and coach gather after team training as new recruits join.(Supplied: Silver City Scorpions)

“The biggest sport out here is AFL, but for local regions like Wilcannia and Menindee keeping country rugby league alive is a must,” Mr Morris said.

He said wider community morale was exponentially low when the sport was put on hold.

“It’s been really stressful with depression and anxiety and they distanced themselves without rugby.”

League organisers noticed a positive shift in player attitudes and behaviour when it was announced the league could go ahead in July.

The Silver City Scorpions jersey for the 2020 season has a complementary lifeline tag that reads Seek help find hope

The Silver City Scorpions jersey for the 2020 season has a complementary lifeline tag that reads Seek help find hope

The Silver City Scorpions 2020 jersey has a complimentary lifeline tag on the sleeve.(Supplied: Silver City Scorpions)

Silver City Scorpions president Sean Finn said the Lifeline logo had been given a complimentary spot on the players’ jersey to encourage people to seek help if they were struggling with mental health.

“When the players are out here throwing the footy and having a laugh, it matters,” Mr Finn said.

AFL players turn their hands to rugby league

With the Broken Hill AFL not showing signs of a solid season this year, players like Quinton Beavan have joined the ORL for the chance to play a competitive team sport again.

“I’m just keen to have a run around. You can’t keep me tied down for too long, so thought I’d give it a go, played a little bit as a junior but I’m excited for the year ahead,” he said.

The local AFL struggled to generate momentum this year after a proposed shorter season failed to get enough support.

“You’ve got to look at all the aspects of running the clubs,” Mr Beavan said.

“It wasn’t financially stable and then looking at all the older people who help out it would have been problematic in that aspect.”

AFL player Phoebe Knell is among many women getting involved in ORL to return to a sense of normality.

“The majority of players are from AFL and just giving it a go and I know a few AFL girls are playing for other ORL teams and others are interested but still not sure yet,” she said.