CLUB MOTTO Let's dream big, let's dream positive, let's be determined and committed.

Let's not forget our values and ethics, Let's be firmly grounded to our roots, and let success follow us.
Let the Magpies continue to be an important part in the Hay community by always doing its best both on and off the field, adhering to the true ideals of sport. more -->

MAGPIES THREE TEAMS INTO FINALS The three Magpie team secured wins in the elimination semi finals at Ron Crowe Oval West Wyalong on Saturday to win spots in the Grand Final Qualifiers at Wade Park Yenda next Sunday.
The Magpies – Yenda Under 18 match produced another epic encounter between two evenly matched teams before the young Magpies snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a thrilling try in the dying moments.
In LeagueTag, the Magpies turned in what coach Neil Nisbet described as ‘their best effort of the season’ with a 4-0 shut out of the very good Yenda team, in a physical match.
In the seniors match, the Magpies produced a courageous effort to thump Leeton 34-12 after leading 18-12 at half time. more -->

MAGPIE TEAMS WALKING TIGHTROPE The Magpies teams suffered defeats in the Qualifying semi finals at Leeton Sportsground on Sunday, and will join the LeagueTag girls in elimination semifinals matches at West Wyalong next Saturday, in an effort to keep their season alive. more -->

SENIORS AND 18s POINT SCORERS - Part 1 Ryan Gash, the goal kicking centre in the Under 18 team, finished as the Club's top point scorer with a neat 100 points recorded in the home and away series.
Jamie Woods and Jermaine Dixon both scored 96 in Seniors, with Jermaine crossing for 24 tries. more -->

LEAGUETAG AND SIXTEENS POINT SCORERS Rachael Pearson and Beau Dunne topped the list of point scorers in the League Tag and Under 16 competitions
Rachael crossed for 22 tries for 88 points in just 13 games, and Beau managed to score 20 points from 3 tries and 4 goals. more -->

MIXED DAY FOR MAGPIES The Hay Magpies had a mixed day when it hosted Griffith Waratah Tigers at the Park Oval on Sunday.
The match was the final game in the home and away series and the Club will be represented by three teams in the final series. The Senior team finished in third position despite the loss, the Under 18 side was runner-up to Waratah Tigers, while the League Tag, finished third on competition points with Yenda, but fourth on the ladder with a worse percentage. more -->

TOOKEY SAYS YES TO BLOCKBUSTER CLASH MARK Tookey admits he can't say no.

That's why when he was asked by Underwood businessman, Ken Beissel the former National Rugby League star to play in his Cavalier All Stars team, he couldn't say no. more -->

KAPOOKA MILITARY BAND FOR MAGPIES-TIGERS MATCH The Kapooka Military Band will March at the Hay Park Oval on Sunday, before the start of the Under 18 'top of the table' clash between Griffith Waratah Tigers and Hay Magpies, entering the Oval at 12.30 pm, and doing a lap before moving on to a concert at the Hay War Memorial High School "Spirit of Anzac' Hay for a concert. more -->

MAGPIES POISED FOR TOP THREE FINISH The Hay Magpies Senior and Under 18 teams have moved into the ‘top three’ of the respective competitions with solid, but very hard fought wins over Leeton Greens at Leeton Oval on Sunday.
The Under 18 team was strong against a committed Leeton side and ran out winners 14-4, while the Senior side, despite slackening off at the closing section of the match took out the points of offer to win the game 24-22. more -->

BILL TO REF - THE BIG GAME JUST GOT BIGGER Just when you thought you wouldn’t hear another big name committing to the 2011 Pie in the Sky trial match between Cavalier Homes All Stars and the Hay Magpies Invitational team…along comes another.
Cavalier General Manager Ken Beissel has organised the doyen of referees, Billy Harrigan to officiate in the match. more -->

STRONG WIN IN STRONG WIND Hay Magpies bounced back from the loss to West Wyalong last Sunday to record a 50-14 victory over Darlington Point Roosters at the Park Oval last Sunday.
It was the first time the Magpies have hit the half century in Group 20, and it came on a day that was windy and cold – ideal for hot pies, and hot football. more -->

AND NOW LOZZA IS IN TOO Following quickly upon the securing of Big Mal Meninga as captain of the Cavalier All Stars team, Ken Beissel has confirmed the availability of All Time great Laurie Daley for the Pie in the Sky match to be played at the Hay Park Oval on March 5, 2011 against a Hay Magpies Invitational team. more -->

BIG MAL COMMITS TO ALL STARS GAME Cavalier Developments CEO, Ken Beissel, has advised that Australian Rugby League great and current coach of the Queensland Maroons record breaking State of Origin team, Mal Meninga has made himself available to captain the Cavalier AllStars team to play at Hay Park Oval on March 5, 2011.
The availability of Mal adds to the growing list of players who will be travelling to the town for the match against a Hay Magpies Invitational side in the Pie in the Sky match for 2011. more -->

FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club "Pie in the Sky" is starting to take flight. What a huge weekend for sport in the bush, the economy of Hay, the game of Rugby League.
The 'Who's who of the code" will be attending. Mark it down, March 5..
Ken Beissel's Cavalier All Stars (coached by Arthur Beetson) against the Hay MAGPIES Invitational side... more -->

DISAPPEARING DISCIPLINE HITS MAGPIES The sin-binning of Hay Magpies captain and star player, Jamie Woods, in the closing ten minutes proved to be the turning point in the teams fortunes against West Wyalong Mallee Men at Ron Crowe Oval on Sunday.

The Magpies had fought back from a 10-6 half time deficit to hold an 18-10 lead coming into the back end of the match before Woods raised the ire of referee match officials and was sent to the sin bin to cool his heels.
It was the Hay captain’s fourth stint in the cooler this season for dissent, and on twice of those occasions the team has sacrificed winning positions to end up losing the match. more -->

BAREFOOT RUGBY LEAGUE SHOW The Pie in the Sky clash between Hay Magpies and Yenda Blueheelers is to be telecast on The Barefoot Rugby League Show next Wednesday night at 7.30 pm on NITV (Austar) and Imparja.
The Barefoot Rugby League Show was most impressed with the excitement and interest the day generated. more -->

HEAVY GOING TO DISPOSE OF GRIFFITH Hay Magpies made heavy work of defeating Griffith Black and Whites in a lack lustre game played at the Park Oval on Sunday.

The game lacked the normal atmosphere of a "Sunday in the Park", with the Griffith Club not fielding teams in the Junior Grades (18s and 16s), and as a result crowd figures were down.
The match never rose to great heights, with the Magpies failing to go on with the job when they had the visitors at their mercy. more -->

THE KIDS STAND UP TO BE COUNTED The cream of talent within the Hay Magpies ranks rose to the top on Sunday, with the Magpies fighting hard to score a 36-32 win over last placed Yanco Wamoon at Berri Oval Yanco.
The unavailability of the players forced the Magpies to deep into its Under 18 ranks for replacements. Dig deep, and the Club dug well. The bench at kick off time would have been lucky to have a player who has yet started shaving. more -->

WOW, WHAT A WEEKEND The Hay Magpies ‘Pie in the Sky Weekend’ proved, once again, to be one of the town’s premier Sporting events,
A huge crowd defied the cold conditions at the Park Oval on Saturday evening to watch the Magpies fight back from a 14-0 deficit to defeat the competition leaders Yenda, 36-24. more -->

BILLY BAIRD - ORDER OF AUSTRALIA There would not be any Rugby League player in the Magpies Club over the past 50 years who does not know Billy Baird, and his remarkable achievements for the community of Hay
Bill, has been honoured by the Australian Government, with an announcement in the Queen's Birthday Honours list that he has been awarded the Order of Australia. more -->

RIP LUKE AND SAM WILLIS The Hay Magpie family is sad this week, sad and shocked at the news that one of its mates, one of its ex-players, Luke Willis, was gunned downed, along with his younger brother Sam, in a double murder in Newcastle.
The newspaper reports on the murder indicate that Luke and Sam had been in dispute with a neighbour about noise coming from a Party some time ago. more -->

SOME FACTS ON PIE IN THE SKY Pie in the Sky weekends have become a feature of the Hay Sporting scene, much anticipated by sports followers and the community of Hay.
The way the fans - and the Clubs of Group 20 - have embraced the concept
has ensured it success.
The Club in Hay is as strong as it has ever been. more -->

1972 - TWENTY SIX TO NINE MEMORIES 1972 was a great year for the Hay Magpies Rugby League Club – one of its most successful years on record, and it co-incided with the Centenary Celebrations of the Hay Shire.
The Magpie Club was booming. Under the direction of one of the all time greats, Billy (Bunter) Curtis, the Hay Club bristled with talent, both experienced and up and coming. Some of the most sensational players to pull on the Black and Whites.
The Club had special talent, with a fantastic reserve grade squad, and enough depth to field a third grade team on Grand Final day for another ‘unofficial title’. more -->

HUGE PROMOTION BEING PLANNED FOR 2011 The Club, through its major Promotions co-ordinator Ken Beissel, is looking at bringing a team sponsored by Cavalier Developments to Hay to play against either a Hay Magpies team – or a Group 20 representative team in a pre-season trial.
The date proposed is the weekend prior to the commencement of the NRL season (late February). more -->

SHARKS SHAKE MAGPIES The Hay Magpies had its opportunities, but failed to put a strong TLU team away when it had the chance and paid the price, going down 40-30 at Hillston Stan Peters Oval on Sunday.
The Magpies once again came up against a Shark team laden with the stars that has the TLU team holding an equal share of the competition lead in First Grade. more -->

MAGPIES CAN'T HOLD THE TIGER Griffith Waratah Tigers ended the Magpies sequence of six straight wins with a convincing 36-26 victory at Griffith ExServicemen’s Oval on Sunday.

The loss has elevated the Tigers over Hay in the close competition, with the Magpies dropping back to third position on the ladder.
The match was played tough - but fair - a huge contrast to the disgraceful exhibition put on in the Under 18 match more -->

MAGPIES MOVE TO TOP OF LADDER The Hay Magpies moved to the top of the ladder with a hard fought 20-10 victory over Leeton Greens on a heavy Hay Park Oval on Sunday.
The win topped off a great day at the Park Oval, where, to use a well worn cliché` - Rugby League was the winner.
From the start of the sixteens match until full time of the seniors, spectators were kept enthralled by the toughness of each game and the skills on display. more -->

MAGPIES GET THE POINT The Hay Magpies Senior team put a 'testy' week behind it score a come from behind 32-18 win over Darlington Point/Coleambally Roosters at Darlington Poit Sportsground on Sunday.
The team was rocked by the sudden ‘retirement’ of captain Jamie Woods on Friday night, and the omission of prized recruit Kevin Lyons from the starting line-up after he failed to attend training last week. more -->

TOOT TOOT, HERE COMES THE CROKER TRAIN Former internationals Jason Croker and Quentin Pongia are fired up and ready to play for the Magpies in the 5th Annual Pie in the Sky match to be played against Yenda Blueheelers at the Park Oval on Saturday July 3.
Both players agree that the Pie in the Sky concept, first conceived by former Magpie coach Ken Beissel and the Cavalier Developments organisation, is a tremendous boost for Country Rugby League. more -->

MAGPIES OVERCOME THE ODDS The Hay Magpies Senior team overcame a huge penalty count, and playing 50 minutes of the game a man short - to record its fourth straight victory with a convincing 22-8 win over West Wyalong Mallee Men at the Park Oval. more -->

MAGPIES WIN GRAND FINAL REPLAY The Magpies senior side recorded its third straight victory in the 2010 competition with a comfortable 32-20 victory over Grand Finalist Griffith Black and White at the Griffith Rugby Oval last Sunday.

The Magpies went into the match without inspirational captain Jamie Woods who was out injured, but scored six tries to three in a dominant display.

Dynamic half back Jermaine Dixon continued on his try scoring way, notching his fourth double in as many games and turning in another "Man of the Match" performance. more -->

MAGPIES CLEAN SWEEP The round of matches at the Park Oval on Sunday against Yanco Wamoon provided the Hay Magpies Club with its first clean-sweep at home in Group 20, with success in the four matches contested.
The games were played in very warm unseasonal conditions, and before another good crowd. Hay fans love their Magpies through thick and thin, but especially when they are winning, and Sunday's matches had them providing plenty of smiles. more -->

QUICKER, SMARTER MAGPIES BOUNCE BACK A quicker - and smarter - Hay Magpies Rugby League team bounced back from the 68-16 shellacking handed out by TLU in the opening round of Group 20, to record a strong 38-24 victory over Yenda Blueheelers at Wade Park Yenda on Saturday. more -->

YOUNG BEISSEL HOT PROPERTY Nathan Beissel, the 15 year-old-son of former Hay Magpies coach Ken Beissel, has signed a three year contract with NRL Club Wests Tigers with the Club holding an option for the fourth.

Nathan is regarded as hot prospect in Queensland Junior circles, having been on a scholarship with the Canberra Raiders for the past two seasons, and under the scrutiny of talent scouts who have watched him play and train, and generally taken notice of his personality and the way he conducts himself. more -->

MAGPIES NEED TO BOUNCE BACK The Magpies will be in action on Saturday, travelling to Wade Park Yenda for four games against the strong Yenda Blueheelers Club.
The Hay team had the bye last weekend, giving the players time to reflect on their efforts in the opening round of the XXXX Group 20 Rugby League competition against TLU at the Park Oval. more -->

SUNDAY CARVE UP AT PARK OVAL The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club got a taste of what life will be like in first Grade in Group 20 when its senior team was on the end of a 68-16 walloping at the hands of Tullibigeal/Lake Cargelligo Sharks at the Park on Sunday.
The Sharks fielded a side full of first graders and the slickness of the team, couple with aggression in both attack and defence was too much for the Magpies to overcome. more -->

SUNBURY RETAINS ROARTY SHIELD Sunbury Tigers retained the Ben Roarty Cup with a convincing win over the Hay Magpies in a trial match played in Sunbury on Saturday afternoon, however the Magpies LeagueTag girls confirmed what everyone has been saying about them - they will be big improvers in 2010.

The LeagueTag girls scored a 14-0 victory (eight tries) over Sunbury, displaying a crisp brand of running Tag, and backing it up with strong defence. more -->

BRING IT ON - 2010 SEASON OPENER For the football fans and players, the long off season is over. The Magpies take on TLU Sharks at the Park Oval on Sunday in the Group 20 opening round of matches.
It seems like an eon since John Payne plunged over for the score equaling try in the Group 20 Reserve Grade Grand Final, and the surreal moment when Jamie Woods coolly potted the conversion to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and bring the Toby Blunt Premiership Trophy to Hay. more -->

KIWI TEST LEGEND FOR PIE IN THE SKY Former Canberra Raider and New Zealand Test star, Quentin Pongia, is set to join with Jason Croker, and another yet unconfirmed "big name" in the Hay Magpies Annual Pie in the Sky match against Yenda at the Hay Park Oval on Saturday, July 3. more -->

MAGPIES LEGENDS HALL OF FAME The Hay Magpies Legends Hall of Fame inductees two new members each year, the induction is conducted at the Presentation Night each year.
So far, 14 ex players have been included. The first inductions were made at the 2004 "Team of the Century" function. more -->

BUGGAR IT - BIG DELL A SCRATCHING Wendell Sailor has made himself unavailable for the Magpies Pie in the Sky match after being rated a 99.9% certainty to play.
The dual international said his media duties will prevent him for playing and expressed disappointment at not being available. more -->

BUTCH, TOOTS AND BIG DELL Former Magpie coach and CEO of Cavalier Developments, Ken Beissel has been the driving force behind the Hay Magpies Annual Pie in the Sky promotions, but this year he set to pull off the big one.

Ken is in final discussions with two of the highest profile names in Rugby League to wear the Magpies colours against 2009 Clayton Cup champions Yenda on Saturday July 3.
It will be "Welcome to Hay Magpies – superstars Wendell Sailor and Jason Croker. more -->

GROUP 20 DRAW FOR 2010 Group 20 season will commence on April 11, with the Magpies drawn to meet Tullibigeal/Lake Cargelligo United at the Park Oval in the opening round.
Pie in the Sky weekend will be held on Saturday July 3. The Magpies AWAY games against Yenda will also be played on a Saturday (April 24).
A general bye will be held on the Queen's Birthday weekend - June 13 more -->

RAIN DOESN'T DETER MAGPIE FANS The old saying "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun", has nothing on the love the Hay sporting public has for its Magpie Rugby League Club.
Not even 40mm of rain in about three and a half hours could stop them from flocking to the Park Oval on Saturday night for the team's first hit out of the season.
The Magpies came up against Narrandera Lizard team which gave a good account of itself in an impressive display. more -->

WHICH BANK PROVIDES TRAINING SHIRTS Hay Branch of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia has sponsored training shirts for the Magpies Under 16 and LeagueTag teams for the 2010 season more -->

MAGPIES HOME TRIAL AGAINST LIZARDS The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club will have its first hit out of the season when it takes on Narrandera Lizards at the Park Oval on Saturday night.
The match is set down to kick off at 7 pm, and will be preceded by a LeagueTag game with the Magpies Ladies squad up against a mixture of the Magpies Under 16 and Under 18 squads. more -->

JUNIORS WEBSITE Keep up-to-date with the news from the Junior Rugby League Club by clicking onto the website Rugby League Club by clicking on to the Clubs website
http://www.haymagpiesjrl.leaguenet.com.au
The Junior Club is a wonderful nursery for the Senior Club with teams ranging from Under 7 up to Under 14s with the addition of Leaguetag for 2010. more -->

MAGPIES SIGN ON NIGHT Hay Magpies Rugby League Club defence of the premiership it won in 2009, is starting to take shape. The Club has been in training since the end of October, and most of the senior players will play the first round of matches in good condition.
The Club held its Sponsors and Registration Night at the Park Oval Complex last Friday night (February 13) with a great roll up of players, supporters, officials and sponsors. more -->

SMALL CHANGE FUTURE FUND UP AND RUNNING Wow!, what a response to the call to join the "Small Change for Big Change" fund raising drive to prop up the Club's Future Fund as it prepares for the 2011 season. more -->

MONEY BOX STICKERS ARE HERE The Small Change for a Big Change Money Box stickers have arrived - prepared for the Club, free of charge, by Magpies Old Boy, Ian Fraser. more -->

IT AIN'T HALF HOT MUM The Hay players who took part of the Riverina Rugby League Academy a trial against Melbourne Storm at Greenfield Park Albury on Saturday, sweltered in the heatwave conditions.
In weather more suited for a day at the beach with the temperature gauge hitting 39 degrees, players from both sides put in strong display, and the quality of play was outstanding.
The Magpies had three players in the Riverina squads. more -->

TOOTS CROKER FOR PIE IN SKY The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club's tradition of attracting outstanding players to play in the Annual Pie in the Sky matches will continue in 2010 with former international Jason (Toots) Croker confirming his availabilty for the match - to be played against Yenda Blueheelers on Saturday July 3.. more -->

MAGPIE STARS TO FACE THE STORM Promising Hay forwards Corey Harrison and Hola Fitekefu will be part of the Riverina Academy of Sport team which will take on the Melbourne Storm SG Ball Squad in a trial match to be played at Greenfield Park, Albury on Saturday January 30 commencing at 12.30 pm. more -->

LEAGUE TAG HARD YARDS MAKING IT EASIER The Hay Magpies Leaguetag team has worked very hard during the off-season under coaches Mark Payne and Neil John Nisbet in an effort to improve fitness and skills and reach another level in the Group 20 competition. more -->

SMALL CHANGE FOR A BIG CHANGE The Magpies Rugby League Club is asking the community of Hay to get behind the organisations plans to step up into First Grade Group 20 next season, by making a commitment of pledging just two dollars per week to the Club.
Interested persons will be provided with a money box in which to deposit just $2 every week for the next 12 months in the Club's 'Small Change for Big Change' program. more -->

BRAINSTORMING SESSION FOR MAGPIES The Magpies build up towards the 2011 entry into Group 20 first grade moved a step forward with the Club holding a ‘brain storming’ session last Sunday discussing ideas to give the organisation a solid foundation on which to build its future.
Twenty interested hand picked Magpie supporters attend the meeting, and split into four groups to put forward ideas for consideration by the 2010 committee.
Magpie President Donald Payne said the meeting was very fruitful and some great ideas for fundraising and promoting the Club came to the fore. more -->

MAJOR SIGNING FOR MAGPIES by Peter (Parra) Montgomery
The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club has taken its first steps towards its move to First Grade in Group 20 in season 2011 by signing former Leeton centre Kevin Lyons to a two year contract. more -->

JUNIOR LEAGUE EVERYDAY LEGENDS The Hay Junior Rugby League Club status as an "Everyday Legend" organisation, has been confirmed after it has been named as one of the top five winners of the NRMA/Rebel Sports Everyday Legends" competition.
A further bonus was announced during the past week with NRMA confirming the Club's entry attracted the most 'registered supporters'. more -->

MAGPIES /SERVICES CLUB SEAL NEW DEAL Hay Magpies Rugby League Club has confirmed its coaching arrangements for the 2010 season, and has announced the continuation of the Hay Services Club as its major sponsor.
The early finalisation of the important posts enables the Club to focus on preparation on its defence of the
Premiership won in the Group 20 Reserve Grade competition last season. more -->

WOODS RE-APPOINTED HEAD COACH The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club has re-signed Ian Woods, as its coach for the 2009 season.
In making the announcement, Club President Don Payne said Woods had done a great job with the team in winning the Club’s first Group 20 premiership, and he was a popular choice for the players. more -->

PAYNE TAKES OVER REINS FOR 2010 Don Payne was appointed President of the Hay Magpies Rugby League Club for the 2010 season, replacing retiring President Ron Gash who did not seek re-election.
Gash was later elected as Junior Vice President after Tom Bush gained the Senior Vice President’s job after a ballot with Gash.
It will be Payne's eighth term as President, having previously served in the position in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004, 2005 2006, 2007, 2008. more -->

H.E.L.P. The Junior Magpies to UN-WORRY H E L P the Junior Magpies in its quest for a sports grant from NRMA and Rebel Sports.
The two organisations have made $150,000 available to sporting bodies (Clubs, Schools and Individuals) to apply. The Hay Junior Magpies were one of the first to lodge an application, but the application needs the support of everyone to make it succeed. more -->

OVER 70,000 HITS THIS WEBSITE - AND GROWING The Hay Magpies website has attracted over 71,671 hits over the past year, giving an indication of the popularity of the Club in sporting circles.
Make sure you tell your friends about the site, and if you have any feedback on how to improve the site or further suggestions, drop me an email at parapete@aapt.net.au
15,890 hits for the Month of August...AMAZING more -->

SUPPORT JUNIOR MAGPIES APPLICATION The Junior Rugby League Club has applied to NRMA for a grant to assist it in the purchase of sporting equipment to assist it to continue to survive.
Please look up the webpage, and join up as a supporter of the application. http://www.nrmalegends.com.au/index.html? more -->

ARNIE - OUR OWN SCHWARZENEGGER OF SPORT It always happen. Someone who has given his all to the Club usually slips under the guard, and when the compliments are being handed out, that person is forgotten.
It happened this year to a bloke who has given his all in 2009 - Arnie Deacon. But let me assure Arnie, that neither his work for the Club, and his passion for Rugby League was under estimated by the Committee, the players or the supporters.
For them Arnie will always be the bloke who is 'there' when he is wanted. more -->

GREAT NIGHT FOR JUNIOR MAGPIES The Hay Junior Rugby League Club had a fantastic conclusion to its 2009 season with a jam packed crowd at the Annual Presentation Night held at the Hay Services Club.
Highlight of the evening was the bestowing of Life Membership of the organisation on Donna and Dean Whitehead. more -->

NRL, ESL, VRL AND A LITTLE BUSH CLUB Ben Roarty was a fantastic achiever for Rugby League in a career that spanned over 200 games in the NRL and English Super League, and the past season as a playing member of the Hay Magpies first ever premiership winning team in Group 20.
Ben has completed the double of a premiership with the Storm - a victory secured in the last minute, and a Magpies win also secured in the final moments.
He has penned a story on his experiences - it is well worth the read. more -->

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION - 2009 The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club has inducted 1959 Premiership Captain/coach Laurie Foley into its Hall of Fame.
Laurie becomes the fifteenth member of the Hall of Fame which was instituted after the Player of the Century Night in 2004. more -->

WOODS CLEANS UP AT AWARDS NIGHT Hay Magpies premiership winning captain Jamie Woods capped of a sensational season by being named the Club's Player of the Year for 2009.
It was one of six awards collected by Jamie with the outstanding five eight name Outstanding back, Seniors Player of the Finals, Players Player and Leading Point Scorer.
Dylan Whitehead (Under 16), Keira McCarthy (LeagueTag) and Lloyd Schulz were winners of the Player of the Year Awards in other grades. more -->

GRAND FINAL EXCITEMENT ON CAMERA See the Grand Final shots in the photo gallery more -->

PROUD PROUD MAGPIES The 2009 Magpies team exhibited it fantastic Club spirit and work ethic to snatch victory in the dying stages of the Group 20 Grand Final on Sunday. A sensational sideline conversion by team skipper Jamie Woods enabled the Magpies to snare its first premiership victory in Group 20 more -->

THE BUILDING BLOCKS As Grand Final fever hits Hay and the Magpies Club, it is time to reflect on what has enabled the team to get into a position where it can emulate the feats of the past twelve premiership teams, and notch another one up for the Proud Magpies Club.
The 19 players who play in the Grand Final will be representing the huge effort from everyone associated with the Club in getting the chance. more -->

GRAND FINAL TEAM NAMED Hay Magpies selectors have named a squad of 19 players to take on Griffith Black and Whites at the Rugby Oval Griffith on Sunday in the Grand Final more -->

GRAND FINAL PROGRAM NOTES The Grand Final Program notes have been submitted.
They have been posted on the Full Page....see right hand side bar... more -->

GRAND FINAL MESSAGES Messages of good will and best wishes to the team have been received.
Email "Good Luck" messages to me parapete@aapt.net.au and I will put them on the webpage. more -->

DONNA - ONE COMMUNITY AWARD NOMINATION Hay Junior Rugby League President DONNA LEE WHITEHEAD has been nominated for a Country Rugby League "Women in League Award" with the One Community....
Donna has been President of the Hay Junior Rugby League Club since 2001. more -->

COWBOY WOODS - THE QUIET ACHIEVER Hay Magpies coach Ian Woods can lay claim to be the 'quiet achiever' behind the teams on field success in 2009.
He has built up a good side, using his connections to attract outstanding players to pull on the Magpies jumper, and he has managed to keep the side together and concentrating on winning.
The side has surpassed everyone's expectations - i.e apart from the true believers. more -->

GRAND FINAL SQUAD - A SELECTORS NIGHTMARE The selectors face a tough task of naming the Grand Final team for the match at the Griffith Rugby Oval on Sunday September 13.
The expected return of Semisi Bale adds further pressure to the tasks. Bale is, or should be, an automatic selection if he is given a medical clearance. He has trained solidly with the team since injuring his hand five weeks ago. more -->

THE AMAZING RON GASH If you are looking for inspiration in life, look no further than the Magpies President Ron Gash.
It is amazing that he still alive, let alone being a fantastic worker for the Club and the code of Rugby League. more -->

DYNAMIC DON - THE ENGINEER DRIVING THE MAGPIES If you ever wonder why the Hay Magpies Rugby League Club is doing so well, don't look past its leadership.

What a great asset Donald Payne is for the Hay Magpies Rugby League Club.

To use an Australianism - "A Bloody Gem". more -->

TEAM OF THE DECADE - POLL QUESTION Do you think a Magpies Team of the Decade would be well received and create interest.
Who would be the Player of this decade (2000-2009). Cast you vote in the Poll Question located in the right sidebar. more -->

GRAND FINAL - AN EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED The Hay Magpies first appearance in a Group 20 Grand Final at Griffith Rugby Oval on Sunday September 13 is an event NOT to be MISSED.
It is a history making day for Rugby League in Hay and YOUR vocal support can help the team get over the line.
It is going to be TOUGH, but we wouldn't want it any other way. more -->

AAMI AWARD FOR MAGPIES Hay Magpies amazing veteran Danny Byrnes has won the Country Rugby League Player of the Week,and the Magpies Club is the recipient of a $1000 grant, courtesy of AAMI for being the Country Rugby League Club of the Week.
The announcements were made by Ray Hadley during his broadcast of the NRL match last Sunday. more -->

MAGPIES INTO GRAND FINAL The Hay Magpies senior side is on the verge of creating another page in the history of Hay Rugby League following its strong 30-20 win over minor Premiers Yenda in the major semi final played at Wade Park Yenda on Sunday.
The news wasn't so hot for the Under 18 team which struggled under the weight of injuries but was gallant in defeat, going down 28-16 to a hot Yanco Wamoon team at Leeton on Saturday, ending its premiership aspirations. more -->

PROGRAM NOTES FOR MAJOR SEMI The Program notes for the major semi final at Wade Park Yenda on Sunday, and the elimination semi final for the 18s at Leeton on Saturday have been posted on FULL PAGE. Just click on full page in the right side bar to open the article. more -->

MAGPIES A STEP CLOSER TO GRAND FINAL SPOT The Magpies senior side moved a step closer to a Grand Final spot with a solid 32-22 win over second placed Leeton at Berri Oval Yanco on Sunday.
The win has moved the Magpies into the major semi final to be played against minor Premiers Yenda, at Wade Park Yenda next Sunday.
Meanwhile the Under 18 side was thrashed 40-10 by arch rivals Leeton in the early game, and now must beat Yanco Wamoon at Darlington Point Sportsground on Saturday to stay in the race. more -->

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE Hay sporting teams know they have the whole sporting community behind them.
'Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you'll never walk alone. more -->

INTERESTING ARTICLE IN THE ROAR An interesting article written by Mick from Girralang appeared in an internet sports blog "The Roar". It is well worth the read - it refers to a Group 16 elimination match between Cooma Stallions and Eden...guess who gets a rap, that's right, our own Jake Whitehead who has been in great form for the Stallions, since moving to Cooma early June. more -->

MEN OF LEAGUE FOUNDATION Are you interested in joining the Men of League Foundation, an outstanding organisation for ALL players, referees, coaches etc..
If you need an application form, contact Parra. more -->

SEMI FINAL PROGRAM NOTES The Program notes for the Qualifying semi final against Leeton Greenies are in the FULL PAGE section...Click on Full Page in the right side bar... more -->

MAGPIES SWOOP INTO FINALS The Magpies senior and Under 18 teams have finished their competitions in third place, and have booked places in the Qualifying semi finals against Leeton Greenies, at Berri Oval Yanco next Sunday.
The League Tag team finished with an honorable 1 all draw against the Yanco team, whilst the small Under 16 team crashed out to a 50-0 drubbing by a well drilled Hawks team. more -->

YANCO MATCH PROGRAM NOTES See the Magpies Program notes for the last match against Yanco Wamoon at Berri Oval Yanco on Sunday on FULL PAGE ...Click on FULL PAGE on the right side bar... more -->

YENDA TOO GOOD The Yenda Blueheelers team stamped itself as the side to beat in the Group 20 reserve grade competition with a thumping 44-26 win over the Magpies at the Park Oval on Sunday.
Another big crowd was entertained by a great days football with tough and good skills exhibited in each of the four grades. more -->

We Will, We Will R O C K you.... New photos of the Magpie Cheersquad, and photos from the Country Energy Pie in the Sky match against Darlington Point Coleambally have been placed in the photo gallery.
Thanks to Sharon Hicks, Dave Shea, Christine Huntly and Julie Matthews for the photographs. more -->

WOODS AGAIN THE GOODS FOR MAGPIES Another five star performance by Magpie five eighth Jamie Woods highlighted the team's hard fought win over the West Wyalong Malleemen at Ron Crowe Oval on Sunday. The win topped off another good day for the Club which added wins to the Under 18 side, and the first win of the season to the battling sixteens. The League Tag girls put in another strong effort before going down 5-1 to third placed WestWyalong team. more -->

CHECK OUT NEW PHOTOS New photographs are regularly added to this webpage. Check out the new photos by clicking on "Gallery" in the Right hand sidebar.
Hundreds of Pie in the Sky weekend photos have been posted.... more -->

STARS STAR IN PIE IN SKY MATCH The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club's fourth Pie in the Sky match was another resounding success with the game Sunday attracting an almost record 'home game' crowd to the Park Oval to see the team bolstered by former NRL stars post a 38-24 victory over a committed Darlington Point/Coleambally Roosters team. more -->

RECAPTURE THE MAGIC MOMENTS Sharon Hicks has put together a fantastic CD capturing all the action of the Country Energy Pie in the Sky Weekend and has them for sale for just $10. more -->

MAGPIES WIN TEST OF CHARACTER The Hay Magpies survived what coach Ian Woods described as a test of character to score a last minute, 36-32 win over a very physical Griffith Black and Whites at the Rugby Oval Griffith on Sunday. more -->

ALL IN READINESS FOR PIE IN SKY WEEKEND It has been said Deniliquin has the Ute Muster, Coffs Harbour the Big Banana, Tamworth the Country Music Festival, Parkes the Elvis Weekend, and now Hay has the Country Energy/ Pie in the Sky weekend.

Former NRL and English Super League stars will be part of the Country Energy/Hay Magpies Pie in the Sky weekend on Sunday, when Simon Woolford, Shane Millard and current Magpies star Ben Roarty join with their team mates to take on 2008 Premiers Darlington Point/Coleambally at the Park Oval. more -->

BEATEN ON THE BELL Another fantastic day of Rugby League at the Park Oval which saw the Hay Magpies winning run of seven, come to an end with competition leaders Leeton Greenies equalising the scores with 25 seconds left on the clock, and a conversion by Gerard Stevens to seal the victory.
The Greenies, competition leaders in all four grades, scooped the pool with four victories on the day, but Magpie supporters left the ground knowing the players had given each game their best shot. more -->

LAST MINUTE PENNY SPIN PUTS POINTS IN BANK Hay Magpies made the long trip to Lake Cargelligo for matches againt TLU and returned home with wins in each grade.
The Senior side had to fight every inch of the way before coming out 26-22 victors with centre Peni Bakinausori scoring the match winner with just three minutes of play remaining. more -->

MAGPIES - THE EXCITEMENT MACHINE The Hay Magpies Rugby League team made it six wins on the trot in the XXXX Group 20 competition with another exciting display to blow away Griffith Waratah Tigers at the Park Oval on Saturday night. more -->

FEEDBACK - EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS. Interested in posting a comment. Send your email to me and I will look at putting them on the board. more -->

NEW EMAIL IN FEEDBACK This section contains correspondence on articles appearing on this website.
Feel free to provide any feedback on Rugby League matters. Email items to me at parapete@aapt.net.au.. more -->

COUNTRY ENERGY SECURES NAMING RIGHTS Country Energy has secured the naming rights for the Pie in the Sky Rugby League weekend to be held in Hay on 25/26th July.
The 2009 Pie in the Sky promotion will be the Club's fourth - and organisers are predicting crowd figures will surpass the previous record of $4190 set in 2007. more -->

A DAY WHERE RUGBY LEAGUE WAS THE WINNER To quote an old cliche` Rugby League was the winner after the XXXX Group 20 matches at the Park Oval on Sunday between Hay Magpies and Yanco Wamoon Hawks.
The Magpies emerged victorious in Under 18, League Tag and the Senior match - but not after all three games were played out to the fullest. more -->

MAGPIES THE REAL DEAL The Hay Magpies Senior and Under 18 teams confirmed they are the 'real deals' in the XXXX Gold Group 20 competition with wins over Yeanda Blueheelers at Wade Park Yenda on Sunday.
The Under 16 team extended the competition leaders before going down 26-6 and the League Tag girls were well on their way to an upset victory holding a 2-0 lead at half time before a second half surge by the home team got it out to a 5-2 victory. more -->

MAGPIES GOOD DAY AGAINST MALLEE MEN The Hay Magpies had one of its best ever 'home games' since its elevation into the Group 20 competition at the start of the 2007 season.

The Senior team consolidated its position in the 'top four' with a convincing win over fourth placed West Wyalong, taking the match 36-18 after holding a 24-6 loead at half time. The Under 18 team had a thumping 34-22 win over competition leaders, and defending Premiers West Wyalong, the League Tag team hung on grimly to defeat third placed Mallemen team 2-1 and record its second victory of the season.

The Under 16 team lost its match in a high scoring game 42-34 after fighting back from an 18-6 deficit to actually hit the lead 22-18 early in the second half, before the visitors skipped away with an intercept try. more -->

MAGPIES ANNOUNCE ARRIVAL Hay Magpies announced its arrival into the Group 20 'top four' with a thumping 38-16 win over 2008 Premiers Darlington Point/Coleambally at Coleambally Sportsground on Sunday. The match provided the Magpies with 'back to back wins, and its best 'away from home' victory since entering Group 20 at the start of the 2007 season. more -->

THE PIES WERE HOT The Hay Magpies posted a big win over Griffith Black and Whites at the Park Oval on Sunday, taking the points 46-26 after leading 28-0 at the break.
The League Tag girls put in s super effort, pushing the very good Griffith side all the way before going down 6-2, with the visitors scoring its last try after the full time siren had sounded. more -->

GROWING UP AT TWENTY THREE Peter Leonard, a Magpie premiership player in 1972 with the Billy Curtis coached team nicknamed The Machine, tells of what being a member of the Club meant to him.
Bill Curtis rates Peter Leonard and John Ball as two of his vital components in the sides success that season.
He turned them into 'tackling machines' who racked up big tallies in every match they played. more -->

BLACK AND WHITE DAY FOR MAGPIES FANS Hay Magpies officials are urging supporters to come along to the matches at the Park Oval next Sunday against Griffith Black and whites, dressed in Magpie colours, and to bring along black and white streamers.
The Magpies should be at full strength for both the Senior match and LeagueTag contest. more -->

MEMORIES OF A PASSIONATE MAGPIE Former Magpie Laurie Edwards gives an account of his days with the Hay Magpies.
He started out as an under 9 player, and finished up with three senior premierships to his credit more -->

GOOD TIMES, MATES, SPORT, DISCIPLINE - AND LIFE LONG FRIENDS The recently formed Old Boys Association has been a tremendous asset to the Magpies Club. Several of the members have expressed their thoughts on what it means to be a member of the Hay Rugby League Football Club.

The Magpies Club has a history all can be proud of. It has a history that goes back to the 1930s. Through the Clubs' veteran hooker Danny Byrnes and former coach Jamie (Jack) Byrnes we can see the formation of the Rugby League Club. more -->

GREENIES PUNISH MAGPIES Leeton gave the Hay Magpies a lessons in composure and how to take advantage of opposition errors when the team met in the Group 20 Rugby League match played at Leeton Sportsground on Sunday.

In a game that was much closer than the scoreline suggests, Leeton ran out comfortable winners 52-21 over a Magpies team that punished itself with poor ball handling and silly penalties at crucial times. more -->

PIE IN SKY PLAYERS DECLARE 'WE ARE RIGHT' A phone call from Simon Woolford this week confirmed that he and fellow Pie in the Sky players, Bryan Fletcher and Shane Millard are set to go for the Magpies in the match against Darlington Point on July 26. more -->

NEARLY THERE - BUT SHARKS TOO GOOD The Hay Magpies senior side went so close to victory over Tullibigeal Lake Cargelligo United in a torrid match in Group 20 fixture at the Park Oval on Sunday, but fell two points short of snatching a draw losing 32-30.

Another big crowd was on hand to support the Magpies, with the curtain raiser matches providing great entertainment. Anyone who went home disappointed with the value the gate entrance fee provided is hard to please. more -->

LEAGUETAGGERS BIG WIN The Hay LeagueTag team recorded a convincing win over TLU in the match played on the Park Oval on Sunday taking the match 8-1, but, like the previous week, faded badly in the second half.

The Magpies had established a convincing 6-0 lead by half time, but failed to go on with the job in the second half.

The team, however is still developing its structure, and coaches Dean Whitehead and Mark Payne would have been pleased with what they saw in the first half. more -->

BEN WILL GIVE FANS SOMETHING TO ROAR TO The recruitment of former NRL premiership player Ben Roarty could be the catalyst of a successful season by the Hay Magpies in Group 20 in 2009. more -->

FIFTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST GROUP TITLE 2009 represents 50 years since the great Laurie Foley led the Hay Magpies to its first Group 17 premiership win.
Laurie is regarded as the Magpies greatest ever recruit, brought to the town by the Club's astute President J V (Johnno) Johnson. more -->

DON'T PLAY MY BOYS ON THE WING Over the years, the Magpies Rugby League Club has had many sets of siblings turn out for it.
Many at the same time, and some years apart. We have even had a father and son in the same team at the same time.
That achievement happened in 2008 when veteran Ronny Gash was joined by his son, Ryan, the point scoring centre from the sixteens, in the Pie in the Sky fixture at the Park Oval against Lake Cargelligo.
Other brothers who come to mind are the Andrews boys, George and Laurie, the Carvers, Philip, Ray and Paul, the Snowdens Geoff and Robert (Red), the Byrnes, Danny and Jack, the Nisbets Neil-John, Wayne and Robbie, and more recently, the Thomson boys Jesse and Caleb. more -->

BADGE ALLOCATION FOR OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION The Old Boys Badges have been received and have been forwarded out to members who have paid their 'one off' subscription.

The badges are of the same valuation. Numbers allocated do not mean anything apart from keep a track of membership. more -->

RON HUNT - THE BRIDGE BUILDER OF JUNIOR LEAGUE A strong desire to see their talented son John get involved in Rugby League drove Ron Hunt and his wife Ivy to set up the Hay Junior Rugby League Club in the mid sixties.

Big Ron, (not only a bloke with a big frame, but a heart to match) had made his mark as a player with the Carrathool Rugby League Club, and as an administrator with Group 17 and Country Rugby League. more -->

MAGPIES OPEN SEASON WITH A DRAW Hay Magpies have opened the 2009 Group 20 Rugby League season with an impressive 24 all draw with the strong Griffith Waratah Tigers at Griffith ExServicemen Oval on Saturday.
The Magpies fielded a depleted team after the coaching staff was forced to reshuffle its selected line up with match day withdrawals due to injury, sickness and work commitments.
David King, a recruit from the Hay Cutters, was forced out of the match with a poisoned heel which resulted in him being placed in Hay Hospital on a drip; Nicholas Harrison was struck down with illness; and John Payne with a back injury more -->

CHECK OUT PHOTO GALLERY/REMOTE FEATURE Check out the NEW improvements made to the Website.. The Remote content and new Photo Gallery.
If you have any Magpie photos forward them to Parra - parapete@aapt.net.au...Any photos.... more -->

FLETCH TAKES A HAY RIDE Rugby League Week 'The Mole' segement carried an item about the appearance of Bryan Fletcher and Simon Woolford for the Hay Magpies in the Pie in the Sky promotion.
The Mole said it was part of a bush initiative to get recently retired players back to the bush. I have forwarded a letter to The Mole letting it know the true facts. more -->

CHALLENGE FOR HAY COMMUNITY Ken Beissel, who coached the Hay Magpies in 1979 - the year Club "Superstars" Neil John Nisbet and Danny Byrnes were introduced to Hay fans, has issued a challenge to the the business community to support the Magpies "Pie in the Sky" weekend. more -->

PHOTO TRIBUTE TO DANNY BYRNES That marvellous Club man Danny Byrnes has decided to have another season with the Magpies.
He started playing for Hay 1n 1979.
Check out the photo tribute, plus other photos by clicking on photos on the right side bar. more -->

MAGPIES SET TO SWOOP The Hay Magpies will commence the Group 20 Rugby League season with an away match against the strong Griffith Waratah Tigers at the Griffith ExServicemen's Oval on Saturday.

The Magpies will be competing in four grades;“ Seniors, Under 18 and Under 16 as well as LeagueTag (formerly OzTag). more -->

STARS TO COME OUT FOR 'PIE IN SKY - IV The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club has nominated the weekend of 24-25-26 July as the date for the Annual Pie in the Sky Gala weekend.

Simon Woolford, Bryan Fletcher and Shane Millard with a total of over 600 senior matches in the NRL and English Super League have been confirmed as the 'guest players'.
The match will be against current Group 20 Reserve Grade Premiers Darlington Point/Coleambally. more -->

INSTANT CAMA GOING TO GET YOU Hay Magpies 'new boy' Leon Cama has been named in the Bidgee Bulls Under 18 squad to contest the Country Divisional Championships in Parkes on the weekend of April 18/19.

Leon had a great debut for Group 20 in a tri match series in Canberra last weekend to capture the attention of the representative selectors.

Cama showed Hay fans what he is capable of with a scintillating display against Sunbury in the recent trial under lights at the Hay Park Oval. Leon has pace, vision, a good step and a massive kick. Magpie fans wish him well at the Country Championships. more -->

JUNIOR MAGPIES EARN REP SPOTS In one of the Hay Junior Rugby League Club's proudest days, sixteen of its players have been rewarded with selection in the Group 20 representative teams following outstanding displays at the Knockout Carnival at Hillston on Saturday.

The selection of the players provides the Club with a huge boost in its confidence as it prepares for the coming season, and confirms the quality of players coming through the ranks. more -->

HAY SHIRE COUNCIL - BACKING HAY SPORT The sporting Clubs of Hay have a lot to be thankful to the Hay Shire Council for the tremendous support it provides to Hay Sport.
The Clubs and sporting bodies are provided with facilities and sporting grounds which are hard to beat in a town of comparative size.
The Hay Park Ovals No 1, 2, 3 and beyond - are in magnificient condition, maintained by the Council Parks and Garden staff. more -->

GOOSKA - SETTING A GREAT EXAMPLE Hay Magpie officials could hardly believe their luck when, way back in the early start of season 1969 Michael "Gooska" Johnston decided to give this game he called "Rugby" a go.


Mick had just returned to Hay after spending time in Melbourne, and overseas and had made his name as a top flight Australian Rules footballer with the famous Xavier College, a top GPS School in Melbourne. more -->

ONCE A MAGPIE, ALWAYS A MAGPIE It has been talked about for years, and everyone is keen to get it off the ground…that is an Old Boys Association to show support to the Club we have all loved to have been a part of.
What's that old saying - "Once a Magpies, Always a Magpie more -->

PLENTY TO LIKE IN MAGPIES TRIAL LOSS Visiting Sunbury Rugby League team won the inaugral ˜Ben Roarty Shield in the trial match played under lights at the Park Oval on Saturday night, but there was plenty to like from the Hay Magpies display.

The game attracted another huge crowd to the Park Oval, spectators taking advantage of a balmy autumn evening, and again demonstrating that no other sporting Club in Hay can match the drawing power of the Magpies. more -->

BADGE AND SMITHY WOW THE LOCALS On a cold, wet and miserable day in July 2007, the appearance of two of Queensland's finest, former Raiders fullback Gary Badger and Bulldogs and Bronco utility Darren Smith, warmed the hearts of the Hay Magpies faithful. more -->

MAINTAINING THE FAMILY UNIT The Hay Junior Rugby League Club is looking forward to the 2009 season with much enthusiasm.
Club President Donna Whitehead said the influx of new players into the sport has introduced new families to the Club, and the social aspect of following the fortunes of their children has everyone around the place excited. more -->

JUNIOR PRODUCTION LINE IN FULL SWING The Magpies Junior Rugby League production line is in full swing with the Club to field teams in the Under 14, Under 13, Under 12, Under 9 and Under 7 grades in the Group 20 Junior competition.

Junior club officials are delighted with the response of players to the game, and to the coaches who have put their hands up to mentor the boys in the coming season. more -->

GREAT RESPONSE FROM OLD BOYS Geoff Snowdon's 1967 Premiership team heads the list of former Magpies players to join the Old Boys Association.

Ten members of the premiership squad - Snowdon, half back Derek Moriarty, five eighth Geoff Heaton, second rowers Peter Montgomery and George Andrews and hookers Mick Rutledge,centre Laurie Andrews, wingers Philip and Ray Carver had joined up.

In hearing of the intention to get the Club's Old Boys involved again, Geoff, a Magpies Hall of Fame member, said it is a great idea. more -->

GROUP 20 DRAW FOR 2009 Group 20 Rugby League has released its draw for the 2009 season.
The Magpies start the season with a Saturday away game - versus Griffith Waratah Tigers on April 18, followed up with a home match against Tullibigeal Lakes United on April 26.
The Magpies have been allocated a Saturday match against Leeton in Round 3 on May 3rd against Leeton Greenies at Leeton Showground
The Grand Final is set down for September 13.
The Magpies bye weekends will be on May 10 and July 12.
The Pie in the Sky weekend will be against reigning Premiers Darlington Point Coleambally on July 26. more -->

SIXTEENS AND EIGHTEEN IN GROUP KO The Magpies Under 16 and Under 18 teams will play in the "WIN TV" Paul Kelly Memorial Knockout Carnival at Wade Park Yenda next Sunday.
Representative teams will be selected at the conclusion of the knockout Carnival to represent Group 20 against Group 9 in Riverina selection trials more -->

JOHN PAYNE NOMINATED FOR SPORTSPERSON OF YEAR Congratulations to John Payne on his selection as the Hay Magpies Rugby League Club nomination for the 2008 Sportsperson of the Year.

John had a great 2008 season, captaining the Under 16 team into the preliminary final of the Group 20 competition.

Early in the season he gained representative selection in the Group 20 Team, playing at 5/8th, lock and second row. more -->

SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR PIE IN THE SKY WEEKEND The Club has had a good response, so far, in its quest to find 20 sponsors at $300 each for the Pie in the Sky weekend. Six of the spots have been taken up in the first 24 hours of their availability.

The Club needs another 14 sponsors to commit to ensure the weekend will be another huge success, not only for the Hay Magpies Football Club, but for Group 20 Rugby League and the community of Hay.

The players, Simon Woolford, Bryan Fletcher and Shane Millard have been confirmed as starters, and there is a good chance the trio will be joined by Shaun Timmins who has expressed an interest in turning out also. more -->

CALLING ALL EX PLAYERS - MAGPIES NEEDS YOU! Are you an ex Magpie player? If so the Club NEEDS you to become a card carrying member.
You will be added to the mailing list and kept up to date with the Clubs activities.. more -->

COACHING APPOINTMENTS FOR 2009 The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club has named Neil-John Nisbet as its Director of Coaching for the 2009 Group 20 season.

Neil-John will formulate the coaching strategies of the Club with his staff of Ian Woods (senior Coach), Jamie and Rene Woods (Under 18) Kevin Rosser (Under 16) with Shayne Kennedy/Sharon Kennedy having the position of OzTag coaches. more -->

DANNY - A HAY MAN FOR ALL OCCASIONS When you think about people achieving plenty for their Community, Hay Magpies amazing veteran Danny Byrnes would be one of the first to come to mind.

Danny is achieving great things for the Community, firstly in his role as a Drought Support Worker with the Department of Primary Industries, and secondly with his appearances with the Magpies Rugby League Club. more -->

DANNY BYRNES NAMED AS A FINALIST Hay Magpies stalwart Danny Byrnes has been named as a finalist in the AAMI Service to the Community Award with the winner to be announced at a function to be held at Luna Park, Sydney on November 13. more -->

MAGPIES NOMINATE FOR GRASS ROOTS AWARD The Hay Magpies Club has submitted a nomination for consideration as the Telstra NRL "One Community" Grass Roots Club of the Year Award.
Nominations have also been made for Juniors President, Donna Whitehead for Women in League (Amateur), and Danny Byrnes for the AAMI
Community Achiever" Award. more -->

EDDIE NO RABBIT WHEN IT CAME TO FOOTY The contribution Eddie (The Rabbit) Redfern made to football has been remarkable.

It carried him from one end of the State to the other, has involved three codes and twelve different clubs.

His football life covered 450 games - and it may surprise many that it featured more games of Rugby League than his first love Australian Rules. more -->

MICK HUNTLY - THE MODERN DAY MOSSGIEL MAN The love of Rugby League and a keen desire to promote sport as a healthy community activity are just some of the attributes that have made Mossgiel’s favourite son, Mick Huntly, a legend in his own lifetime. more -->

CHARACTERS WHO HELPED MOULD THE MAGPIES Every successful Club has them. The real characters who helped create a sporting Club, the memories and the laughs - and tears - that endear the Clubs into the hearts of the players and supporters who pass through. more -->

MEMORIES OF A CITY KID BECOMING A MAGPIE I arrived in Hay on June 20, 1966 to take up a clerical appointment at the Hay Lands Department and it did not take long to make new friends in Hay.

On my first at the Land Board Office, I took the office banking to the Bank of NSW (Westpac) and met Fred Hobbs, who was heavily involved with the Hay Magpies, having coached the team in 1965.

That meeting with Fred proved to be a big turning point in my life, and the key to what was to become a strong connection with Rugby League in the Bush more -->

BIG BERT MATTHEWS - ONE OF THE BEST Robert (Bert) Matthews had a mighty career with the Magpies,a career that saw him named thrice as the Club Player of the Year and make it a 'daily double' by winning the Group 17 Player of the Year on the same occasion in the seasons 1982, 1985 and 1988 more -->

MODERN ERA FAMILIES KEEP MAGPIES FLYING The Rugby League Clubs in Hay - the Senior and Junior Clubs - are being well managed due to the dedication of the many young families who are keen to see the sport thrive.
Donna and Dean Whitehead, and Liz and Bert Matthews, are just two such families who are putting back to ensure the Magpies succeed. more -->

ANDREW MABON - CONQUERING HANDICAPS It seems like it happened just yesterday, but, did you know, it is over 18 years since Andrew Mabon suffered a football injury that turned his whole world upside down.

On April 7, 1991, Andrew was badly injured at Sahara Oval Ivanhoe, competing for the Hay Magpies in the Group 17 Knockout Carnival.

Whilst effecting a tackle on a Goolgowi opponent , he fell the wrong way and ended up an incomplete quadriplegic. more -->

DYNAMIC DUO SHOW THE WAY - THE NISBETS A major injury worry to a mate, rather than a football incident stands out as a memorable happening in the football careers of the Nisbet brothers, Neil-John and Wayne who gave the Magpies wonderful service over a couple of decades more -->

CURTIS DYNASTY (PART TWO) - JOHN CURTIS John Curtis, like older brother Bill, played a big part in helping to mold the Hay Magpies Rugby League Club into one of the great Clubs in Country Rugby League. more -->

CURTIS DYNASTY (PART ONE) - BILLY CURTIS Bill and John Curtis - the remarkable brothers - helped create a dynasty with the Hay Magpies Rugby League Club.
Their ability and knowledge of the game went a long way to developing some of the greatest players who have ever played for the Club.
This is the Bill Curtis story, with John Curtis chapter to follow next week. more -->

THANKS FROM A MAGPIE LEGEND Hall of Fame inductee Geoff Snowdon has sent the Club an email saying how much he was impressed with the Presentation Night and the community spirit that is alive and well in the Club. more -->

WILL SULLIVAN NAMED MAGPIES BEST - AGAIN Champion second row forward, Will Sullivan, capped another dominant Rugby League season for the Hay Magpies by being named its Player of the Year for the second successive year.

Sullivan (120 votes) finished 15 clear of Shayne Kennedy (105), with rookie half back Jermain Dixon (79) in third position.

The Senior Player Vote Count was just one of the many highlights at the function held at the Hay Services Club on Friday night attended by 150 players and supporters. more -->

HAY MAGPIES HALL OF FAME - NEW INDUCTEES The Hay Magpies Rugby League Club inducted two new members into its Hall of Fame, with Danny Byrnes and Geoff Snowdon becoming the 13th and 14th members of the exclusive Club. more -->

SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR RL PRESENTATION NIGHT The Hay Junior Club conducted a very well attended Presentation Night at the Services Club on Friday Night to pay tribute to the future champions of the Hay Magpies. more -->

IS SUPPORTER BARRACKING OVER THE TOP? Email received concerning barracking at matches.
Keep the emails coming if you have any comment to make on any aspect of the game.
Send to parapete@aapt.net.au. more -->

MAGPIES FEATURE AT AWARDS NIGHT Hay Magpies players efforts during the 2008 season were acknowledged at the Group 20 Awards Night held at Griffith Leagues Club on Friday, September 5. more -->

TRAVELLING BLUNTS MAGPIES HOPES IN FINAL Hay Magpies Under 16 team attempt to become a Grand Finalist in Group 20 came to an end on Sunday when the side was comfortably beaten 34-12 by Leeton at Ron Crowe Oval West Wyalong.

Leeton scored six tries to the Magpies three, with fullback Damian Roden converting five from his six shots,whilst the normally reliable Ryan Gash was off target for the Magpies missing with his three shots more -->

MAGPIES SEEKING PLAYERS FOR 2009 Interested in enjoying real country hospitality, mixing with great people and being a part of one of the truly terrific Clubs in Country NSW.
Consider coming to Hay. A place where sport is sport, fun is fun, and great people. more -->

CONTINUING THE STEP FORWARD The Hay Magpie U16 Rugby League team continued its march towards a Group 20 premiership by defeating Yenda 22/16 in the minor semi final played at Wade Park, Yenda on Saturday.
The young Magpies will play Leeton Greens at Ron Crowe Oval, West Wyalong next Sunday for the right to meet undefeated minor Premiers Griffith Waratah Tigers in the Grand Final. more -->

ANOTHER PIECE OF HISTORY A late try scored by lively hooker Mitchell Rosser has enabled the Magpie Under 16 team to create its own piece of history, by becoming the first Hay side to contest a Group 20 semi final match.
The try enabled the Magpies to snatch the lead in the final five minutes of play and go on an record a 29/24 victory in the qualifying final. more -->

MAGPIES 2008 SEASON IN REVIEW (PART TWO). By Peter (Parra) Montgomery

The Magpies had good service from its experienced players. Co-Captains Will Sullivan and Matt Price were consistent performers throughout 2008.
All players were improved on 2007 efforts, and the future looks very bright. more -->

MAGPIES 2008 SEASON IN REVIEW (PART ONE) By Peter (Parra) Montgomery.

There can be no doubt that the Magpies team in 2008 improved greatly on the results the Club achieved in 2007 in the Group 20 competition.
Even though the team won just one more game than it managed in its inaugural season, it was competitive in most games. more -->

MAGPIE SEASON POINT SCORERS An injury in the last game of the season probably cost Matt Price the chance to become the first Magpie senior player to score 100 points in a season. Price was not able to add further to his season tally of 94, missing with his only shot at goal, before going off injured. more -->

MAGPIES NIP - BLUEHEELERS BITE The Hay Magpies Rugby League team concluded its 2008 Group 20 season with a 46-16 loss to Yenda Blueheelers at Wade Park Yenda on Sunday, with the full time score not a true indication of the closeness of play.

The Magpies were well in the game at half time at 16 all, before Yenda opened up a match winning break midway through the second half, scoring five unanswered tries. more -->

PAYNE SETS A NEW TARGET (UNDER 16) Dynamic Under 16 pivot John Payne has lifted the bar on try scoring for the Magpies, scoring a hat trick for the fourth time this season to lift his tally to 27, eclipsing the record of 25 scored by former Magpies winger Fred (Former Frog) Scott during the 1972 season. more -->

WHERE THERE'S A WILL..... By Peter (Parra) Montgomery.
A five try haul by the Hay Magpies champion forward Will Sullivan highlighted the team’s 58-26 victory over West Wyalong in the Club’s final ‘home match’ of the 2008 season.

He led the way in a one-sided match against an under strength West Wyalong team at the Park Oval on Sunday more -->

MAGPIES 'CALL TO ARMS' DAY MAGPIES CALL TO ARMS DAY
The Magpies Club will be supporting the Cancer Australia's "CALL TO ARMS" highlighting "Men with Cancer" in the match against West Wyalong Mallee Men at the Park Oval on Sunday. more -->

MAGPIES BOUNCE BACK FOR TOUGH WIN - RUSTY WRIST AWARD by Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Hay Magpies bounced back from the disappointing last minute loss to Griffith Black and Whites at its previous start to hang on for a hard fought 30-28 victory over Darlington Point Coleambally at Coleambally Sportsground on Sunday. more -->

MAGPIES HISTORY (PART 3) Magpies history from 1978 up until the present day.
Dare to Dream"..the Club is on the cusp of an new and promising era. more -->