Raising money in aid of motor neurone disease (MND) will be a major focus at Gunnedah Rugby Park this Saturday as the Gunnedah Red Devils host the Quirindi Lions in Central North rugby union.
Known as the ‘Big Freeze MND round’, the occasion will also be ‘Old Devils Day’ as a range of past and present Red Devils players and officials come together.
The Gunnedah rugby club started this MND-related event last year after one of its players, Ron ‘Hobbo’ Hobden, was diagnosed with MND the previous year.
Red Devils identity Matt Roseby said the main purpose of the event was to “raise awareness about how terrible of a disease MND is, and how much it impacts the person diagnosed and their families”.
The Red Devils have purchased blue-striped socks to wear during this round while ‘Big Freeze’ blue-striped beanies are on sale, with all funds going to MND research.
At half-time in the first grade fixture, a few people will brave the ‘Big Freeze’ as they have buckets of ice and water poured over them.
Meanwhile, most of the competing rugby union teams are coming off a two-week break.
In first grade, the Red Devils and Lions find themselves on 19 competition points along with Narrabri in equal-first place on the six-team ladder.
On May 24, Gunnedah had a come-from-behind 33-24 victory over the last-placed and winless Inverell while Quirindi defeated the now fourth-placed Moree 41-22.
Gunnedah’s reserve graders are still seeking their first win of the season, while the fourth-placed Lions chase their fourth victory.
Gunnedah’s women’s team had a social hit-out due to a forfeit in its most recent round, with something similar likely this Saturday due to the absence of a Quirindi women’s team.
This Saturday, there will also be an ‘Old Boys’ game featuring a range of retired Gunnedah and Quirindi players.
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