Craig Gosewisch’s association with rugby in Blayney has stretched for nearly two decades simply because the prop-come-president loves the club, loves the game and loves the area.
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He’s not afraid to say so either.
But earlier in November at the club’s presentation night when Gosewisch’s 17-year long contribution to the Rams was honoured with life membership to the Blayney Rugby Club, the 45-year-old was in a state of shock.
All of a sudden there’s no words.
“I was surprised. I didn’t know what to say … I still don’t,” Gosewisch said, a previous club treasurer and secretary before taking on the presidency.
“You never get involved in these sort of things for accolades like this. I just love being involved and I love the club.
“I didn’t have a clue it was happening.”
Gosewisch was one of a handful of Rams honoured as the club celebrated its 60th anniversary season and a third straight GrainCorp Cup south premiership at the Blayney presentation night on November 1.
Those 60th anniversary festivities will continue when the Rams host a Christmas party and annual general meeting on Saturday, December 9, at the Tattersalls Hotel.
Gosewisch said his association with the club will hopefully extend beyond this year, if elected, as the club enters a challenging new period.
Blayney will play in the Central West Rugby Union’s new second tier competition, one incorporating first and second grades in 2018 and 2019 including clubs like Narromine, Mudgee, Dubbo Rhinos, CSU Bathurst and Parkes.
By any measure, it’s a massive step up for Gosewisch’s club, but one the Rams are excited about heading into the new season.
“It’s going to be interesting next couple of years,” he said.
“I think we’ve got to give it a go. The talk was, if we didn’t, we’d have to go south again and our closest game to home was going to be Grenfell (125 kilometres away).”
Gosewisch admitted the club would have to work hard to build a large enough playing group to accommodate two grades, but it was a challenge the club was embracing.
“We’ve put it to the members, had about 15 players there when it was first discussed and no one said no,” he said.
“We’re keen to give it a crack. It’s a challenge.”
LIST OF AWARD WINNERS:
Most Consistent: Andrew Delaney
Most Improved: Ryan Simmons
Most Potential: Tyler Hobby
Coach’s Award: Adam Hamilton
Players’ Player: Zac Taylor
Most Points: Adam Hamilton
Best Back: Cameron Cole
Best Forward: James Stanbridge
Best and Fairest: Sebastian Hobby
Ram of the Year: Brock Syphers
Club Spirit: Tarah Syphers
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
