TOUCH FOOTBALL
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mudgee Touch Association did not win any of the awards they were nominated for at the NSW Touch’s Blues Awards dinner, but they did not go home empty-handed.
Two of the club’s stalwarts, Roger Lang and Peter “Skeeter” Doherty, received Blues Awards for their continual involvement and commitment to the sport.
The pair were among a couple of dozen volunteers who were recognised for their contribution to touch football over the years.
Lang and Doherty have been involved with Mudgee touch since its inception in 1983.
They continued to play the game on club nights, they’ve been coaches, represented the region at various tournaments, and held positions on the committee.
Lang and Doherty were awarded Mudgee touch life membership at the association’s 30-year dinner last year in August.
For Doherty, his Blues award came as a complete shock.
“I was told I was invited to attend the Blues dinner. I had no idea,” said the former vice-president of 13 years.
“My name was the last name to be mentioned. I thought someone was having a go – it was a total surprise.
Doherty continues to play representative touch football, playing for Hunter Western Hornets in the men’s 50s division at the National Touch League at Coffs Harbour earlier in the year. Lang was helping in the medical tent for the Hornets at the same tournament.
Doherty said it was an honour to have received the award.
“It is good to be recognised by Mudgee Touch. It’s good to get that sort of recognition and I would like to thank the committee [for the nomination],” he said.
Lang said the Blues award rates as high as his life membership.
“They are right up there in the highlights, no doubt about it,” Lang said.
“When you get those type of awards it is a big highlight.”
Lang knew he had been nominated for an award as he wasn’t originally intending on going to the dinner.
“I didn’t know I would get it. I just thought I was nominated but it was nice to get it,” he said.
There have been three other Mudgee touch members who have received Blues awards – Jim Yeo (1995), Kathy Lang (2011) and Ben Stoddart (2013). All three are life members of Mudgee touch as well.
Roger said the last few years, touch has become the most popular sport in the region.
“It has grown significantly for the past decade and that has got a lot to do with the hard-working committee,” he said.
Roger and Doherty wished to dedicate their Blues award to their late friend Peter Spinner who passed away in June.
Mudgee Touch Association were nominated for two awards but unfortunately they missed out.
Kathy Lang was a contender for the Rod Wise Medal as Volunteer of the Year but Sydney Scorpions’ Tim Kitchingham was named the winner.
Mudgee was short-listed for the Hunter Western Hornets Affiliate of the Year but lost to Central Coast Touch Association.
Hills Hornets Touch Association was named the State Affiliate of the Year.