STOCKMEN BACK IN SADDLE
THEY come from Western Queensland.
From Miles and Chinchilla, Roma and Charleville, Cunnamulla and beyond.
They’re the Ageing Stockmen and they have moseyed on into the Gold Coast to play rugby league in their 12th Pan Pacific Masters Games.
The 24-strong team of players entered the social division of the competition but not just anyone can play.
“No matter where you live now you must have played in the Roma A-grade competition at some point and most importantly, you’ve got to be a good bloke,” Ageing Stockmen head honcho Richard Steel said.
Steel said the games are a great opportunity to catch up with old teammates who are now spread all over the countryside and welcome new team members.
“We have a few of the old players return but we bring in new ones all the time, but they have to have the right spirit,” Steel said.
“We all play it because we love it.” This year the team has opted for a custom-designed shirt that includes a special recognition for an Ageing Stockman who recently passed away and was a great friend to many of the players.
The Pan Pacific Masters Games has boasted a decorated line-up of
League players over the years, including former Gold Coast Titan, Preston Campbell and Queensland State of Origin legends, Dale Shearer and Petero Civoniceva.
Queensland Cup star Matt Lockyer, brother of Broncos legend Darren, is also running out with the Ageing Stockmen in his second PPMG.
Meanwhile, Masters Games competitors stopped for a Remembrance Day minute’s silence wherever they were across the Coast yesterday.
A touching ceremony at the netball at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre produced an especially poignant moment when teams from
England’s Royal Air Force and the Australian Defence Force led a commemoration and minute’s silence for the over 700 netballers taking part in their final day of competition.