Ronny Gibbs 7s a huge success

Brewarrina’s Ty Boney busting through the Trangie defence at the Ronny Gibbs 7s at Bourke’s Davidson Oval last week. Photo Layton Holley, TWH

The 25th Ronny Gibbs Sevens tournament, held at Davidson Oval last Wednesday 24th August, was described by the man himself as one of the best events in the tournament’s history.

The activities began on Tuesday at Bourke Public School, where students took part in the Macquarie Sports Clinic with NRL training staff and former players, including Darryl the ‘Big Marn’ Brohman, who was in town recording a documentary on the Ronny Gibbs Sevens for the NRL’s online platform.

The next day, schools from Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Nyngan, Warren, Trangie, and Baradine assembled at Davidson Oval for a day of netball and rugby league.

Talent was on show everywhere you looked, with every game, fast-paced and competitive, showing the passion and skill that country sport is known for.

In the Open Netball competition, Warren took first place and Baradine second, with Zoe Daley from Warren taking home the Most Valuable Player award.

In Under 14’s Netball, the Grand Final was played between Nyngan and Trangie, and after a hard-fought effort, Nyngan came out victorious, and their star player, Hunter Rope, was awarded the MVP award.

In the Open Rugby League competition, Nyngan, which has a history of collecting trophies in the Ronny Gibbs Sevens, won another as they beat Cobar in the Grand Final to claim the top spot, and Will Black, their captain, took home the MVP award.

In the Under 14’s, a Brewarrina team brimming with talent defeated Cobar in the final to claim the trophy and their little secret weapon, Kyle Salt, won the MVP award for the day.

“It was probably one of the best events we’ve had in the 25 years it’s been running,” Ronny Gibbs said after the presentations.

“There is just so much talent out here; if they don’t get picked up by some professional clubs, it will be a massive shame; I wish that a few more people would come out here to give the kids a better opportunity to be seen and supported.

“Unfortunately, five schools couldn’t make it this year (Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Goodooga, Menindee, and Wilcannia), but the teams that did make it were first class; now, I need them to get involved in the Far West Academy and kickstart their sporting careers.

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