Ashford is a town of 652 people, with 169 enrolled in it’s school. Many students here travel from surrounding areas, as it is the only high school. The Ashford JRL club started in 2016 with 81 and the next year had 75, this year we have 88 registered players and have managed to field 8 out of a possible 9 teams.

This injection of funds to get equipment helps morale and ALL members of the club in the following ways. . .

• coaching the kids to be better players, helping to keep them safe with headgear
• more opportunities for the positive influence that sport has on a community
• making volunteers feel its worthwhile - the uphill battle to fundraise is currently wearing them out
• overall, it gives pride in the club

This is a rural community, and the distances from Ashford to each game are considerable (closest 57.8 and furthest 182.5 kilometres). Many families live outside Ashford so travel even further. Families who commit to travelling to every game will drive at least 2173 kilometres this season. This cost is most likely prohibiting some families from joining, and if circumstances change mid-season it is a huge burden to keep a child playing.

Safety is paramount, and headgear is expensive ($70 in closest shop in Inverell). If our club can support families by providing headgear for every player it will go a long way to helping players stay or join.

With such a small community, it is difficult to fundraise. At home games, we run a small canteen. Currently some equipment is on loan and needs replacing.

What We Need

Headgear - $50 each for 88 players = $4,400

Training equipment (e.g. balls, bibs, marker cones, whistles) – $1,800

Pie warmer – $900

Wall mounted hot water urn – $900

First aid kit – $300

Gazebos for shelter at all games – $600

Bench seats for oval for spectators – $800

Trestle tables for match officials – $300

Show your support by making a tax deductible donation today!