THE Tea Gardens Hawks and RSL sub-Branch are preparing for their inaugural Anzac match against Mallabula, to be held on Sunday 27 April at Myall Park, Hawks Nest.
To commemorate the special event, the Hawks will wear specially-designed and printed jerseys, featuring the national flag and a scene from Anzac Cove, photographed 110 years ago at Gallipoli.
A red poppy, and “Lest We Forget” run along the bottom edge.
“We have a new coach and a new direction for the club, with a 90 percent new committee, and lots of good ideas – this being one of them,” said Tea Gardens Hawks President “Dakka”.
“This is the first time for an Anzac match locally. We want to commemorate the day properly and bring it home to the locals.
“We invite veterans in town to come along.”
The 27 April event is a double-header, starting with the Lady Hawks at home versus Clarence Town from 11am.
From midday, the RSL sub-Branch will join players on the field in a solemn line-up, featuring an Anzac Service oration, The Ode, the Last Post and National Anthem, and a specially placed pole to fly the national flag.
The men’s Hawks will then play the Mallabula Panthers.
The date for the game was moved from the 26th because several away players will still be returning from marching in Sydney.
Tea Gardens RSL sub-Branch Treasurer and Trustee Terry Munright said the game “is an extension of the Spirit of Anzac.
“It involves our youth, and the military and sport have many parallels, including working as a unit or a team, common goals, and mateship.”
Hawks Club sponsor John Rumble, from Hawks Nest First National Real Estate, will auction off all the jerseys at the Tea Gardens Hotel after the game.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
