The twenty-first Ricky Walford Shield took place in Walgett yesterday with teams competing from across North West New South Wales including Walgett, Bourke, Lightning Ridge and Wee Waa.
The event, which runs in conjunction with the George Rose and Jenny Wright shields, is one of the largest in the region and also serves as a fundraiser for the local Junior Rugby League.
Walford, NSWRL Indigenous Rugby League Manager and Dragons legend, told NSWRL Media that the Shield was an important event for the township of Walgett.
“It’s such an honour to come home and see so many children participating in the Shield once again,” Walford said.
“It’s a great opportunity for the townships of the region to come together and celebrate the great game of Rugby League.”
St George Illawarra Dragons players Gerard Beale and Kyle Stanley also attended the event with NSW Blues legend Paul Langmack, and Walford believed the opportunity to meet current and former players meant a great deal to the remote towns of the North West.
“Most of these kids don’t get the opportunity to attend many Rugby League games, so to be able to have their pictures taken and jerseys signed by their heroes is a memory that lasts a lifetime.”
The 2013 Ricky Walford Shield was won by Walgett Primary School, making it back-to-back victories, with Gosford taking out the George Rose Shield for the winners of the runners-up final.
The Ricky Walford Shield would like to thank Gosford City Council and Jeff Strickland for representing the Gosford Mayor, Laurie Maher. NSW Medicare Local, Mark Hartwig of the RTA, the St George Illawarra Dragons and NSWRL staff members Geoff Carr and Dirk Melton for their continued support of the carnival.
Walgett take back-to-back Ricky Walford Shields
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