(click on photos for larger images)

      

  Under 12s in pink 'war paint'

The Charters Towers Bulls Rugby Union Football Club held its 2010 Ladies Day at Dave Thomas Oval on Saturday the 7th of August. The aim of the day is to recognise the dedicated ladies that support the club either as mothers, girlfriends, wives, managers, strappers, first aiders, coaches, canteen attendants, committee members, spectators or any or all of the above. Although the role of girlfriend or wife doesn't mix too well within the family oriented Bulls outfit. This year the special day was also dedicated to raising much needed funds for McGrath Foundation and its breast care nurse program.

The grounds were decked out in much pink finery for the occasion. All home teams on the day wore pink socks and painted their faces with pink war paint, otherwise known as zinc. The senior men wore specially made hot pink jerseys for their game against the Ross River Redskins. Special mention must be made of the major sponsors of the day including Campbell Grazing of the Corfield area, Braceborough Pastoral Company of Balfes Creek, Chilly Air Conditioning and Down Time Solutions of Charters Towers. These very generous sponsors paid to advertise upon the senior jerseys. Without their support the day would not have been nearly as auspicious or successful. Each senior player to a man also purchased his jersey which converted into extra valuable donations for the McGrath Foundation. There were also half a dozen surplus jerseys auctioned on the day. This coupled with several pieces of sporting memorabilia including 2 pink National Breast Cancer Foundation rugby union balls signed by current Wallaby Quade Cooper and former world cup winning Wallaby captain John Eales and a cricket bat signed by the 2009 / 2010 Queensland Bulls Cricket team raised even more money when they too were auctioned.

This was a usual Townsville District Rugby Union home and away match day for most grades of the club which kicked off at 1:30pm when the under 8's took the field.

   

They were followed by the Town and Country Foodworks under 12's,

the A&D Auto Electrical under 14's,

   

the under 10's

and then the Barrs Tyres and Batteries senior mens team.

Ready for the game

Unfortunately the ladies team, the Eagle Boys under 15's and the Charters Towers Vet Surgery under 17 teams won by forfeit due to extensive injuries amongst their respective opposition.

Seniors in hot pink jerseys!  

The surprise packet of the night was when the Charters Towers Bulls hooker Kelvin Peno donated his game worn jersey for auction. Everyone in the crowd was very surprised when feverish bidding saw this jersey complete with mud, blood, sweat and tears fetch a staggering $500. And that didn't even come with washing powder or a dry cleaning voucher. The club extends a very big thank you to Kelvin and his Ross River Redskin opponent whose bidding won out. Raffles with donated goods and products purchased by the Bulls Club also saw more money raised. The pinkest outfit of the day also received a lovely gift basket of products and services from Exquisite Beauty of Charters Towers. Strangely, this was won by a fashion conscious young man who was a definite head turner. They say that a man looks 10 percent more attractive in pink but 85 percent of statistics are also made up on the spot so make of that what you will.

There were information brochures relating to breast care on hand for interested persons to peruse. There were also novelty pink cup cakes generously donated by committee members that were sold to raise money for the McGrath Foundation. Many other individuals and organisations also made and pledged generous donations to be passed onto the foundation.

And as for the actual rugby that was played. The under 8's and under 10's play an enthusiastic intra-club competition almost always ending with a tie between the Blue Bulls and the Super Hornets. The under 12's drew 12 all with the Teachers West Bulldogs from Townsville. The Charters Towers Bulls under 14's prevailed over Townsville Brothers 19 to 12. And in the seniors game the valiant Bulls went down to the Ross River Redskins 7 to 26. But as they say in the classics, Rugby Union was the winner. In this case the McGrath Foundation was also the winner with an impressive $4302:50 being raised for the cause. If you want to support the foundation or hold an event of your own visit their website www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au to find out more. The Charters Towers Bulls would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who assisted in bringing the day to fruition. In the words of the McGrath Foundation, 'together we can make a difference'.

Look at the difference in these guys!  

---