While the saying 'many hands make light work' might just be a popular choice of expression for some, it was a lifestyle for the Mudgee Dragons this year who were determined to see their players do what they love.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
2020 has undoubtedly been one of the most difficult years for the club as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, much like many other sporting codes across the region, and the time has now come for the season to draw to a close with their two under 18 sides knocked out of the combined Western competition last weekend.
With juniors, under 18s and league tag the only categories permitted to go ahead this year, it was quite a different feel for the Dragons, but club president Sebastian Flack said how the players embraced the unusual season was 'unreal'.
"It was great to be able to provide our up and coming players an outlet for competitive rugby league and league tag with the COVID-19 outbreak causing havoc on the season," he said.
"With mixed results throughout the year, the effort that the players put in under various restrictions was unreal. With great individual and more importantly team performances through the year, there is plenty to look forward to in future years.
"Unfortunately due to restrictions we can not have a presentation to commend everyone's effort but on behalf of myself and the rest of the executive committee we want to recognise and extend our appreciation for all the efforts this year."
It goes without saying that volunteers are the backbone of any club, group or organisation, and the Dragons are certainly no exception.
"Most importantly the season would not have gone ahead without the extraordinary effort by the volunteers in unfamiliar and strange times on game days and training sessions and behind the scenes," Flack said.
"In particular Kathy Lang, Adam Sutherland, Haley Joseph, Karen Quinn, Roger Lang, Nic Bennett, Ashlee Rowe, Adam Cominciolli, Nic Bennett, Justin Yeo, Roger Lang, Russel Moriarty, Paula Sutherland, Roy Prasad, James Hughes, Jamie Gallen, Kelly Constable, all the local ball boys, and all the players parents who manned the COVID sign in.
Without them our teams would not have been able to get any footy in this year. Their commitment is greatly appreciated.
- Mudgee Dragons president, Sebastian Flack
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held later in the year, and Flack hopes the 2021 season will see sport return to some form of normality.
"We made a decision as a club in these trying times to have a sponsor free year but we are hoping to pick up where we left off with everything we had set up prior to COVID in 2021, and hope that some level of normality can be regained before next season," he said.
"We appreciate all our sponsors and are looking forward to the mutual ongoing support.
"We wish the junior teams best of luck for the rest of their competitions."