THE Pooncarie v Anabranch cricket rivalry will be rekindled on Saturday night at George Gordon Oval – all in the name of men’s mental health.
The annual match aims to raise awareness of the important issue, particularly in the isolated communities of south western New South Wales.
Cricket between the regions across the river isn’t a new concept and this current format has been running for the past five years.
Anabranch have yet to taste success over Pooncarie, however with a distinctly family-flavoured line-up this year they will be hoping to reverse their fortunes.
However, the cricket is secondary to the point of the evening, which is to shine a light on mental health and help bring the community together, organiser Sholto Douglas said.
“Just from feedback from the people who played the game, they seem to love it. They all look forward to it every year so it’s been a success,” he said.
“Two to three hundred people is fantastic, just the fact we get people in here to have a hit of cricket, have a chat, have a drink and have a feed and forget about the world for a day or two.”
The annual match has been well supported by the NSW Baggy Blues and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.
“The idea is with the Baggy Blues in Sydney we try to get a couple of ex-Test cricketers or Shield cricketers here,” Douglas said.
“This year it’s not going to work because of COVID-19 but in the past they’ve come down and they’ve had a ball.”
Late last year a Baggy Blues Tour event ran at George Gordon Oval, including current BBL players Steve O’Keefe, Ollie Davies and Ben Manenti, carrying a similar theme.
“That was a fantastic day, magnificently supported, we had about 150 kids for a clinic and all the blokes from the Baggy Blues were impressed,” Douglas said.
“I cannot thank the Baggy Blues enough, they have been absolutely brilliant.
“Especially (former Australian player) Phil Emery, he was here for the first two years with (the Pooncarie v Anabranch game) and he came down in November.”
On Friday night, from 5.30pm, a special evening will precede the match at the Coomealla Club.
“Part of the funding deal we did with the Baggy Blues is there will be a talk on mental health and your own wellbeing,” Douglas said. “It’s not about forcing the issue on anybody. What it’s about is people see changes in people and basically if you see a change in somebody say ‘are you OK?’
“Just to try to help out because, with COVID and a lot of things in 2020, I think the stress levels would be pretty high.”
Saturday’s event begins at 6pm with the match from 7.30pm.There will be a barbecue for $10 per family.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
