By all accounts, it’s been a month of good publicity for Nabiac, recently identified in Fairfax’ Domain as number one in NSW’s “top 10 cheapest beach-side towns”, even if the village is 20 minutes’ drive from the waterfront.
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“It is a great town and house prices are reasonable so it was nice to get the favourable newspaper attention, especially if it attracts a few strapping footballers among the buyers,” Arthur Chapman,the new president of Nabiac’s rugby union club, the Wallamba Bulls, said this week.
The Bulls have started training although it is early days in the New Year. Coaches Lee Sullivan and Jim Wilson are holding sessions each Wednesday evening in Nabiac to have the Bulls advance one giant stride from last season’s runner-up position after going down to the Forster Tuncurry Dolphins, four tries to one and 34-14, in the Lower Mid North Coast grand final.
The new season’s competition will begin on April 1 among six clubs of the Lower Mid North Coast with the grand final to be held after three rounds at the home ground of the highest qualifying club on August 19.
The Bulls will be captained again by their splendid prop, Aaron Gordon, with the only requirement of club champion and Mid North Coast Axeman representative flanker, Daniel Hessing, being to “enjoy yourself” without the burdens of coaching, captaining or presidential responsibilities.
A new player at the club is veteran prop Paul De Szell, who had a brief but impressive stint with the Manning River Ratz last winter, now pencilled in by coach Sullivan as assistant coach/player for the Bulls.
Another MidCoast Council employee, Daniel Aldridge, the strong-running, constructive No 8 forward, has yet to establish whether he will play, but Sullivan accepts he has lost the services of agile lineout forward, Bodie Vidler, who has left for employment in the Rockhampton mines.
Likewise, Hessing’s brother, Rhys, the strong-tackling MNC Colts representative flanker, may be returning from Sydney in which case he is expected to play beside brother Daniel in the back row with brilliant Chris Tout continuing in the back line, a danger man to any defence.
Coach Sullivan said: “We’re back to the paddock early this year as it is the club’s 10th anniversary. We want to make it a significant year, the Year of the Bulls.”
Country titles at Port
Meanwhile, Port Macquarie will be the venue for the Country Rugby Union Championships this year.
Games will be played at the Regional Stadium on April 29 and 30.
This is the first time the championships have been played in Port.
Taree hosted the titles at the Jack Neal Oval in 1989.
Mid North Coast will be represented and will be looking for an improved showing as the hosts and preparations for the campaign have already started.
