In a curtain raiser to the coveted Res Cup on September 29, Towers, Chifley, Diggings and JOV will all take park in the Headspace Cup on Wednesday September 12 at Diggings Oval, an initiative coined to raise money for mental awareness among youth.

CSU student Brad Rushby, who’s been a major driving force behind the concept, joined forces with fellow Mungoe Sam Groom as the pair mapped out plans for the annual fixture.

The first step was making the decision to include Towers and JOV residences, as the previous Headspace Cups only involved Diggings and Chifley.

The second move – putting together a couple of banging line-ups.

Groomy and Rushby, who are both set to captain their sides, came up with the idea to hold an official draft – although Brad’s claiming the plan as entirely his own.

“I came up with the concept so I shotgunned the first pick,” Rushby laughed.

“We got a list of all of all the players from each of the residences who wants to play.”

In somewhat of a no brainer, Rusby snapped up talented playmaker Billy Dickinson with the first overall pick, before back rower and fellow Leeton alumni Todd Pattison went to team Groom afterwards.

There won’t be an entry cost during the night but Rushby expects a sausage sizzle and a few donations boxes will be enough to generate some solid coin.

“Headspace will come down and set up a tent and marquee,” he said.

“We’ll run a barbecue and some raffles draws and things like that and have donation jars going around.

“We just want to raise awareness for it, really.”

Not only is it a great fundraising concept, it’s a chance for the boys to get friendly with each other before the annual Res Cup – a competition that will be played with much more aggression.

“We thought we’d get all the boys together and get all of the animosity out of the way before Res Cup when they want to rip each other’s heads off,” he laughed.

“Everyone’s already getting really keen for it and posting a bit of banter and taking the mickey out of each other.”

As for the team’s coaches, Jacob Watkin and Izaac Scott are both experienced players but are carrying injuries, so Rushby, a proud Diggings boy, felt it was best to rest two of his strongest stars ahead of Res Cup.

“They both wanted to play but we didn’t want to risk either of them for Res Cup,” he said.

“A bit of a tactical decision on my behalf.”

Kick-off is at 7pm.

TEAM RUSHBY:

Coach: Izaac Scott

TEAM GROOM:​

Coach: Jacob Watkin

Referee: Oscar Thorburn

2018 Headspace Cub Facebook Event