MID North Coast Rugby Union has issued a call to arms for volunteers to ensure this year’s Country Championships are a success.
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Nine zones from around the state will battle it out for the first time in Port Macquarie.
President Mark Mackay was hopeful the two-day carnival could draw similar volunteer numbers to those which attend annual events such as Ironman Australia.
“The Ironman event is a terrific event for Port Macquarie and you see the swell of volunteers each year that put their hand up for that event,” he said.
“We hope we can engage those volunteers as well and provide them with a similar product that they enjoy over two days and they can walk away feeling proud about their efforts.”
Mackay said high numbers of volunteers ensured the smooth running of any event.
“You can imagine we’re expecting over 1500 players over the two days as well as support staff,” he said.
“Not only from our own region, but spectators coming in from other zones. All those spectators need to be catered for an looked after and just the basic run down with our canteen facilities, our drink facilities, ground management so many volunteers makes the job easy.”
Volunteers are needed over the championships weekend with various critical roles including staffing the canteen and bar, liaising with teams, traffic control and broadcast assistance of the live online stream.
“One of the things that sets rugby apart is how people roll up their sleeves to get the job done,” Mackay said.
“Of course, they also have a cracking time doing it and we know that sense of fun will grow the rugby community here through the championships.”
Mackay was hopeful the history-making event would draw in volunteers who wouldn’t normally put their hand up.
“We are a growing rugby community within New South Wales,” he said.
“The Mid North Coast has done an outstanding job in the last three years with regards to growing the game both at junior, senior and women’s level which is also included in these champs for the first time ever in a sevens format.”
The president said the country championships were the “pinnacle” of country rugby within New South Wales.
“We’re very fortunate to have it here in Port Macquarie,” he said.
“Overall it’s a great carnival and Port Macquarie, being renowned for the sporting community that it is, we hope to get all those rugby people as well as our sports lovers within our area to come and watch a terrific two-days of genuine rugby.”
Volunteers are asked to contact Bob Wilson via email at bobwilson@midnorthcoastrugby.com.au.
