A sporting field unlike any other in country NSW has been taking shape in Dubbo this week.
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Close to 600 tonne of sand has been unloaded at the showground, setting the scene for an action-packed rugby sevens tournament on Saturday.
The Dubbo Rhinos’ inaugural Beach to Bush rugby sevens competition is this weekend, with 12 teams having registered to play as of Thursday morning.
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“To see the sand being dropped off and the boys on the machines and levelling it out, it’s starting to take shape,” Dubbo Rhinos Rugby Union Club president, Ian Burns, said.
Burns described the tournament as “unique” and rightly so, with a barefoot tournament featuring a surfboard as the major prize in the place of a trophy is not something regularly seen in the bush.
The Dubbo Rhinos has been helped by NSW Rugby in the running of the event and the state’s governing body will be Australian representatives Tom Robertson, a Dubbo junior, and Mahalia Murphy out to attend the day. The Rhinos are particularly excited to have Murphy back in town after the sevens star helped out during a training session at the club earlier this year.
While NSW Rugby has helped out and will be giving a hand run the matches on Saturday, the real driving force being the event has been the hard-working group of Rhinos committee members.
“It’s something our club is very proud of,” Burns said.
“We formed a sub-committee and there’s been a good 10-15 people on it at various times and we’re very, very proud to manage to pull this together.
“There’s some great people in the club and they’ve called on some local people to support this.”
Dubbo Sands has been the big one, putting all the sand in place this week, while mental and health and disability organisation Wellways has jumped on as the major sponsor.
With the sponsors onboard, sand being put into place, and high profile special guests confirmed to attend, Burns is excited to see how the day pans out.
“We’ve got a dozen sides at this time and we could fit 16 in. A dozen is a good starting spot and it’s well-supported by NSW Rugby as well,” he said.
“t’s a massive weekend in Dubbo, there’s a lot on and that’s great. We’re hoping we add to it and we’re hoping people come along and see something quite unique for this area.
“It will be a lot of fun and there’s also going to be plenty for the kids.”
Teams are coming from far and wide with a strong local presence matched by support from local towns like Narromine and Parkes.
It won’t just be the fast-paced games which will entertain, with plenty of attractions off the sand.
A DJ will be in attendance on the day keeping the crowd entertained, while there will be plenty of races and activities played out during the matches.
The draw for tournament will be conducted by NSW Rugby on Friday. Matches will start from 9am on Saturday.