It’ll be an eagerly awaited return for the Tamworth Thunderbolts on Saturday, when they travel away to face the Hawkesbury Jets. A win would see them return to the winners circle, though the focus will undoubtedly be on US import, Rashanti Harris, as he makes his debut.  

It’s a country race meeting with a whopping $150,000 prize-purse. A winning incentive that extends well beyond bragging rights, as the Tamworth Jockey Club gears-up for their biggest meeting of the year.

Around 800 delegates from the Country Women’s Association will descend on the New England at the end of the month, for the society’s annual conference. Members from across the state will come together in Armidale, where they’ll debate and discuss a list of motions proposed by branches throughout New South Wales. Formed in 1922, the CWA is the largest women’s organisation in Australia, and works to improve the living conditions for country women and families. The conference starts in Armidale on April 30. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.  

Moree Fire and Rescue has been named among the top 10 busiest stations in the state. New South Wales Fire and Rescue has published a list of the busiest stations for fire-related incidents, with Moree coming in at number five. Fire-fighters attending 456 fires within their jurisdiction in the last financial year. The busiest fire station was Ropes Crossing in Western Sydney, which attended 602. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.  

Kootingal-Moonbi will get its first taste of the top division this week, when the Group 4 rugby league season kicks-off. The Roosters are on the road for their first match, aiming to be a force to be reckoned with.  

The state’s top young athletes will head to the Hunter this weekend, for the running of the Academy Games. More than 100 athletes from the Northern Inland Academy of Sport will take part.  

The Newcastle Knights may have stolen the win at Scully Park on Saturday night, but they were by no means the only winners over the weekend. The NRL bringing plenty of people and profits, along with the players, according to the Tamworth Business Chamber.  

In Northern Inland Football and the North Companions have registered their first win of the season, with the reigning premiers smashing South Armidale. In other matches, North Armidale beat East Armidale, and Tamworth FC produced some second-half magic to down the Demon Knights.  

It’s a dynasty that only received further confirmation yesterday, as the Tamworth Pirates continued their undefeated reign. In a replay of last year’s grand final, the Pirates proved the dominant force, as they defeated the Walcha Rams.  

Inverell is set to play host to next year’s New South Wales National’s Centenary Conference, in a major coup for the region. The 2019 conference is expected to be one of the biggest in history. It’s expected around 600 delegates will descend on the sapphire city during the four-day event. Inverell edged-out bids from Port Macquarie, along with Tamworth, to host the party’s 100th anniversary year. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.