THREE members of the Basham family have confirmed they will retire from country rugby league with veteran Forster Tuncurry Hawks player Dean Basham to play his last game this weekend.
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At a committee meeting on Monday night, the well-respected player advised that he would be playing his last game with the Hawks this Saturday.
Dean, who has played well in excess of 200 first grade games for the Hawks and has also represented Group 3, started with the local club 24 years ago as a ball boy at the tender age of 10. Forster Tuncurry Hawks secretary Lance Fletcher said Dean has decided to retire to spend more time with his family.
Dean’s grandmother Nellie Basham, another well respected figure in the local rugby league fraternity, has managed the club’s canteen for several years.
She has confirmed that she will be stepping down from her involvement with the club as she says: “her 84-year-old body has had enough.”
Michael Basham who also has been a loyal servant and premiership winning coach is also stepping down.
Mr Fletcher said this Saturday will be a sad day for the Hawks as they farewell the Bashams but joyous in the knowledge that these wonderful servants of the local game will now have family time.