After four seasons, the last three as Chairman, Tamworth Accountant Terry Psarakis has called his retirement from Group 4 Rugby League. His last official event will be this Friday with a Sportsman’s Lunch at Wests.
“The initial reason why I joined was to help them out, but it is really a team effort and everyone on the committee has been excellent with their attitude and our key sponsors are great, so we are in a good position for me to step down.” said Terry.
“Thank you to everyone- clubs, officials, volunteers, and of course, the committee.”
“The competition was really close and that is what we wanted, to have a balanced competition.”
“Even though North Tamworth have won it eight years in a row, and congratulations to them, it was a good comp and we have done extremely well.”
While there was no ready-made replacement for him, Terry says the competition is in good hands with the likes of Lisa Dellar, Lad Jones, Ron Binge, Scott Bone remaining on the Group 4 Board with Narrabri’s John Rumbsy and Mark Lyon joining them.
Terry helped ensure Group 4 remained afloat in what he describes as his most memorable moment.
“Organising the West Entertainment Group 9’s, which came about when Rugby League was called off that season and it was right at the end of the season, we decided to run it,” said Terry.
“We had four sponsored sides and a selection night,”
“We chose four captains and let the captains choose the players they wanted, so that was over a four-week period and was really successful,”
“And closed the gap for a form of rugby league to be played.”
Terry is confident he is leaving the Group as it continues to move from strength to strength with the re-emergence of the Wee Waa Panthers in 2024.
“It looks like Wee Waa will enter the competition with four grades (1st, 2nd, Under 18 and Ladies League Tag) bringing it to nine clubs for Group 4, which will be very pleasing.”
Sportsman’s Luncheon at Wests
And what better event to end his legacy than this year’s Sportsman’s luncheon. A mixture of cricket and rugby league greats, Kerry O’Keeffe, Josh Reynolds and James Graham will headline the Group 4 Rugby League Sportsman’s Luncheon at Wests this Friday, November 24.
“We started our luncheon last year, with Steven Waugh and Peter V’landys, so we started very high with our guests, and this year is no different but a new path with Kerry O’Keeffe, Josh Reynolds and James Graham.”
Former Australian leg-spinner O’Keeffe, nicknamed Skull, has been a regular visitor to Tamworth in the past and those of us who have attended his soirees have been inundated with his many numerous and funny anecdotes and intrigued by his distinctive laugh.
The former Australian leg-spinner now respins stories from his cricketing days as well as staying up to date with the current cricket climate. Kerry is now a regular commentator on the ABC and Fox Sports has been outstanding, both humorous and honest.
James Graham is a former English rugby league star who played 423 first grade games for St Helens, Canterbury and St George. He also represented Great Britain in nine Tests and England in 44 in a wonderful career. While he lost a number of Grand Finals with St Helens and Canterbury Bulldogs, he did win the 2020 Super League Grand Final with St Helens 8-4, in what was his final match.
Josh Reynolds debuted for Canterbury Bulldogs in 2011 and played 145 first grade games for them in two stints as well as 22 games For Wests Tigers and 25 for Hull FC in the English Super League.
Like James Graham he has also ventured into sports commentary and will be able to share many notable and funny stories from his recent playing past.
Tickets: $160 a ticket or $1,500 per table guaranteed to offer a night of entertainment.
“It’s going to be great fun,” said Terry Psarakis.
Contact West for more information or to secure your tickets.
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