North West Sport

It’s become a home away from home for Ben Burrage, a place where he lives and breathes his passion of Muay Thai fighting. The Tamworth local has returned from Thailand, this time walking away undefeated after a six week stint.  

Moree Water Park has received a massive endorsement, after being named the host venue of the 2019 National Water-skiing Championships. The announcement was recently made at a gala night dinner during the Easter period, following months of negotiations between the Moree Water Ski Club and Tournament Water Ski Australia. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.  

Final preparations are underway at The Armidale School ahead of this weekend’s rugby carnival, as junior players from across the country arrive in the New England. Play kicks-off on Saturday at TAS, with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika also making an appearance over the weekend.  

This weekend will see the country’s best speedway racers in Tamworth for the Australian sidecar championships. It’s the first time the country music capital has ever hosted the event, in its 70-year history.

Tamworth rugby league coaches will soon have a chance to learn from some of the best in the industry. The Wests Tigers have announced a free coaching clinic – ahead of their clash with the Newcastle Knights next weekend.

Australia’s best Quarter Horses are being put through their paces in Tamworth. The national championship has attracted judges from America, who already have a tough job on their hands.

Gunnedah’s Wade Ryan starred in the ring on Saturday night, with the 27-year-old beating his opponent by knock-out in the fifth-round. With his initial competitor unexpectedly withdrawing from the fight, another boxer was organised. The change in opponent sadly meaning the championship belt was no longer on the line. Saturday night’s bout was Ryan’s first on home soil in 20-18, with his camp now looking for a re-match against Tim Tszyu, the son of former boxing champion Kostya Tszyu. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.    

The Greater Northern Tigers under-18 side has bowed out of competition for the inaugural Laurie Daley Cup, going down to Riverina in the semi-final on the weekend. The Tigers one win shy of reaching the grand final, losing 38-32 in a high scoring affair. Farrer student, Max Altus, did his best to get the Tigers through to the decider, crossing for three tries in the team’s loss. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.    

It was a watershed moment for Central North rugby on Saturday, with female players hitting the paddock in the zone’s first women’s competition. While the Tamworth Pirates were the form team of the Sevens Gala Day, finally strapping on the boots was the real win for most players.  

It may have been a loss, though it was a gallant one at that, with the Tamworth Thunderbolts women’s team going down to the Maitland Mustangs last night. The men’s team also experiencing a similar result in the double-header at home, as St George got the better of the Bolts in the final quarter.