Forbes wins heaven’s game for club victims: [1 All-round Country Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 29 Sep 2003: 2.
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Abstract
A YEAR on from Bali and things are starting to look up for the [Forbes] rugby union club in NSW’s central west.
“Forbes were never going to be beaten this weekend.” Mr [Richard Barwick] said the season had been built on emotion flowing from October 12.
“A lot of players have very strong memories of Bali and this is one more step in the healing process.” All year the club has played in memorial jumpers which had sewn below the club logo the words `Never Forgotten’.
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A YEAR on from Bali and things are starting to look up for the Forbes rugby union club in NSW’s central west.
Twenty five members of the club went to Bali for the end of season celebrations and many of them were in the Sari Club at the time of the explosion.
Three players, Greg Sanderson, 27, Paul Cronin, 31 and Brad Ridley, 32, were killed. They were all first or second grade players.
At the weekend, the club, known as the Platypi, won the first and second grade Central West rugby union grand final, the first time it has done so. Many of the players were Bali survivors.
There was a record attendance at the Forbes grounds of almost 4000 people.
Commentators noted that if the missing players were looking down, they would be smiling at the achievements.
“The club has had an absolutely magnificent 24 hours, firstly securing the second grade title, culminating with a first grade victory,” club member Richard Barwick said.
“Forbes were never going to be beaten this weekend.” Mr Barwick said the season had been built on emotion flowing from October 12.
“It has a symbolic year, not just for the players but for the community, who have been so strong,” he said.
“A lot of players have very strong memories of Bali and this is one more step in the healing process.” All year the club has played in memorial jumpers which had sewn below the club logo the words `Never Forgotten’.