The day was for a worthy cause as it was the annual charity day fundraiser for the Men of League Foundation’s Far South Coast branch.  

“We help the footballing community by donating things for people to hold their own raffles if they’re in need so they can put their own event on,” co-organiser of the day Hedley Lucas said.

“The organisation helps those that are struggling with injuries and even buy wheelchairs.”

The Men of League organisation provides assistance and support to players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators from all levels of the game, along with members of their families and the broader rugby league community when in need. 

The bowling day has proven popular within the group and has been held in Merimbula previously, but this year the branch made the move to the Bega greens to attract a few extra northern entries. 

A feature of the annual event is regularly the friendly rivalry between Bega and Eden members, but the Whale Festival clashed this year and few Eden players were able to take part. 

A good roll up of around 30 took part from across the Group 16 region for a friendly round of triples on the day. 

Organisers said they would have liked a few extra to turn up on the day, but there were some unfortunate scheduling conflicts. 

Bega lawn bowler Howard Blacker helped co-ordinate the day and said everyone who took part enjoyed two 10-end matches on the day before raffles and a barbecue lunch. 

Players spent nearly three hours on the greens and Blacker said it did get a “bit steamy” especially for some of the veteran players on the day in the hot weather. 

However, there was plenty of socialising after the games with entrants sharing some of their war-stories from the football field and spinning the old yarns. 

Mr Lucas thanked fellow organisers Peter Turner and Howard Blacker for their support.

Entries weren’t quite as high as some years, but the day was still successful with nearly $1000 raised on the day for the Men of League Foundation. 

One of the goals of the foundation is to combat anxiety and depression. 

Bega NRL development officer Damian Kennedy said they days were a great tool to celebrate mateship and have fun. 

“We are becoming aware of more cases and mateship is one way of battling it,” Kennedy said. 

The group’s next major fundraising event will be the annual golf day that will run early next year. 

The golf day has also proven popular and generally runs with a shotgun start.