Performance to remember for young Henry

After participating in the HSBC Waratahs annual Junior Clubs March Past at ANZ Stadium, four-year-old Henry had the honour of delivering the match ball for the HSBC Waratahs’ final home match of the season against arch rivals the Brumbies. 

 

Chosen because he was the youngest member of the club to travel the furthest distance, his performance brought a cheer from the 22,000-plus crowd not to mention the 60-strong Parkes contingent.  It also capped an evening that he, dad Richard and older brother Jack (seven), will remember for years to come.

 

“While he was waiting around beforehand he was pretty nervous and shy,” admitted dad Richard Rice. “But as soon as he got to stand in the tunnel and looking out to the field, his eyes lit up and he was literally jumping up and down he was so excited about running out on the field.”

 

Standing at the mouth of the players’ tunnel, Henry watched the home side run out on to the floodlit field, before collecting the match ball from NSW legend Tim Gavin and running it out to the centre of the field.  And although he lost he slipped over just before placing the ball, nothing could dampen his enthusiasm on the night.

 

“Getting his hands on the ball and running around all day with his friend Darcy were the highlights of his day and he thought Tahman was pretty cool,” said Mr Rice.  “He couldn’t wait to tell everyone at pre-school what he did at the weekend.”

 

A lifelong Parkes resident and former Parkes Boars player and club President, Mr Rice retired five years ago but has continued his association with the Parkes club. 

 

“After I retired I wanted to put my support into the juniors, who have been established now for nearly 20 years.  Both my sons play in the Under 7s team, we get 26 to 27 kids running around for the Under 7s each week and put two teams in every gala day.

 

“We’re really well supported by a number of local dads and the kids love it.  The gala days are great fun for everyone, running two teams means six games of football in a row and the best thing is that unlike other sports in Parkes, the kids gets to play and meet kids from other towns, which is good for their social development.”

 

Now aged four, little Henry first trained with the side last year.  “Henry used to come to training and watch his older brother Jack, then this year he said he wanted to play. 

 

“With the exception of Parkes, he’s never been to a real rugby match.  When we got the invite from the Tahs to take part in the march past, the club got together and put on a bus.” But being 100km west of Orange and a good six-hour bus trip from the stadium, it was a big ask for a four-year-old.  Determined to get the kids to the game, Mr Rice decided to drive and make a trip of it.    

 

“We came down on a bit of a road trip with one of the other dads from the club and four kids, stopping in Bathurst for a trip to the adventure park there, then staying overnight in Penrith at the caravan park after the game.

 

“The boys were all so excited they were up at 5am before the sun came up ready to go so it was a long day!  But it was worth every minute and the day certainly turned out to be one we’ll never forget.”