“Bear” surprised with Indigenous Shield named in his honour
AS I have mentioned in this column on a number of occasions, Steve Hall is a legend of rugby league.
The Coonamble boy who coached Macquarie, CYMS and Mendooran to premierships, guided Western Division Rams and Country representative teams, and has fostered talent across the state was immensely proud when he was asked to present the NSW versus Queensland Under-16s Challenge trophy during the NRL Charity Shield extravaganza in Mudgee on Saturday.
“I am absolutely speechless,” was the humble reaction when officials revealed the teams were playing for the Steve “Bear” Hall Shield.
Bear has been battling cancer for the past couple of years and every day is “one that has to be lived”. His passion for rugby league is his driver; Margie, the kids and his football mates keep him going against the odds.
Steve and his wife Marg met at school in Coonamble before moving to Dubbo in the mid-’70s to pursue their careers and raise their children, Michelle and Steve.
Chrystal Thompson met Bear when she was playing basketball with the Hall kids and is abso-lutely over the moon to now be associated with Steve and Marg and their work.
“Bear is the founder of a program for indigenous young people. We got chatting a few years ago about the lack of pathways and he established a series of camps and competitions to try and create some opportunities. I jumped on board with a lot of others and we are now plan-ning a trip overseas to broaden their life experiences over the next few years,” Chrystal told Photo News.
“NSW 16s head coach Dennis Moran, “Poppy” Barlow from Nyngan, whose been the Western Rams strapper for years, Ronnie Gibbs, Ian Naden, Scott Mieni (Bourke/cobar), Sean Stanley (Wellington), Ricky Walford (Walgett), Nathan Blacklock and referee Gavin Badger have all thrown themselves behind the work Bear is doing,” Chrystal said with enthusiasm
“And two Australian and NSW State of Origin legends, the current and most recent NSW mentors, Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley, attend most of the events. They are so dedicated and sup-portive
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of Bear. Their influence is very powerful,” she added.
“In spite of his ongoing battles with illness, Bear has been kept going by Marg’s love and the hands-on encouragement of Michelle and Steve Jnr. Without them, he may have given up but they and the blokes I mentioned earlier are continually urging him to keep fighting.”
The news of Bear’s major health issues was announced at a camp last year.
“It was very emotional for all of us, but the coaching staff and members of the programme vowed that no matter what was ahead, we would continue this program to honour our great friend.”
The pathways Bear and Marg began was extended three years ago with the arrival of Chrystal and one other female staff member.
“It’s growing each year and more and more talent is being identified and developed. Creating pathways for these Koori kids, showing them education is important and pushing the message that no matter how hard home life is or where they are located, there are people who are around to help them. We will help them into higher grades.”
From all reports, the level of respect shown by the kids to all staff - male or female - is out-standing and Chrystal says Bear and his offsiders instil discipline.
“These are life skills the kids walk away with. Friendships are created and reconnection is common,” Chrystal explained.
After moving to Sydney nearly 20 years ago, Bear still loves to get back out west.
According to Chrystal, at a recent camp “his face lit up when old friend Joe Flick brought him some apple slice from the Village Hot Bake. It is his all-time favourite”!
To have a Shield named in your honour is a testament to the high regard the community has for some you.
Bear Hall has earned the recognition for his determination to create a future for Koori kids.
The result: Queensland Murri v NSW Koori
Queensland Murri 36 (Watjerra Briggs 2, Reece Walsh 2, Tuvalli Pereira, Larson Dale-doyle tries; Zac Laybutt six goals) def NSW Koori 26 (Tyrone Nean 2, Jayden Murray, Tyrhys Williams, Bowen Foreshaw tries; Isaac Morris, 2, Kobe Bone goals) at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee on Sat-urday, February 24, 2018.