Ronny Gibbs gives heart and soul to kids in the bush

Dylan Rosser from Brewarrina Central School makes a good break against a combined Warren, Baradine and Menindee under 16’s side. Photo TWH

For 26 years, Ronny Gibbs has been giving heart and soul to the kids in the bush through his Ronny Gibbs 7s Gala day.

This year, Ronny didn’t have any big name NRL stars joining him on the trip to Bourke, but it didn’t matter.

The schools across the region threw their support behind the event and for more than one hundred youngsters, it was the opportunity to play a game of footy or netball out on Davidson Oval that mattered.

There were 38 teams from the 19 communities and schools that took part in the footy and netball competition last Wednesday, from Broken Hill to Baradine and Brewarrina, all converging on Bourke for what is now a well-established annual sporting and educational tradition.

It’s an event that Ronny was reluctant to put his name to when it was first launched in 1995 but which is now one his proudest achievements.

Although Ronny couldn’t convince any of the big stars of the NRL to join him for the gala day, as they have in years past, he said he was thrilled at the support from the schools and the principals and teachers who travelled hundreds of kilometres to be part of the action.

“It was wonderful to see so many kids there on Wednesday and that the event was still really popular,” Ronny said.

“It wouldn’t run without the support of the Far West Academy of Sport, NSW Rugby League and the parents, kids and schools who keep turning up.[…]

Read more in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

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