It was an emotional affair for many at the Dubbo Waratahs Rugby League Knockout as players gathered from across the state to honour those who have passed.
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Dubbo’s Belinda Weldon was especially proud, as the Heather Weldon and Lloyd Hammond Memorial team honouring her sister and father won Saturday’s repechage final.
They fell 22-10 to Orange United in the opening round, but earned their way to the second-chance final where they held off a fast-finishing Selway’s Warriors to win 22-16.
“It was awesome,” Weldon said.
“I only just lost my dad a year ago, and lost my sister about six years ago.
“This is the first memorial side we’ve had for them so it was, they made me proud. Made my sister proud, and my dad.”
The game was a tight tussle against another memorial side contesting its first Dubbo Waratahs Knockout.
Trangie man Ryan Selway passed away in a car crash in November 2017, with his wife Jessica Skinner and others close to him assembling a team to honour him.
“It’s very close to my heart, the Selway’s Warriors, and the boys did awesome today,” she said.
“It was back and forth there for a little bit,” said Shaun Weldon, Belinda’s cousin.
“The key for us was just to knuckle down and hold that ball.
“It was pretty good to have the family get together. I’ve come from Taree. We all chipped in and made that commitment.”
The Weldons said remembering elders past, and respecting those present, was what made the Dubbo Waratahs Knockout so special.
When tears fell, they were happy, and proud to see so many people making the effort to recognise those who were gone.
“That’s what family is about and that’s what these games are about, these events,” Shaun said.
“Remembering our elders and where we came from,” Belinda added.
“It’s about coming together,” Shaun continued, “and showing the younger kids … we don’t have to much around with all that negative stuff. This is a positive thing.”