THE busy week has continued for the players and club officials involved in Saturday night’s historic Super League game at WIN Stadium.
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Representatives from Wigan and Hull FC got their first glimpse at the inaugural Kenny-Sterling Shield at a civic reception held at Wollongong City Council’s administration building on Tuesday.
The teams received the shield, along with two boomerangs from South Coast indigenous artist and former Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs player Uncle Noel Butler, who created them for the occasion. “It’s carved out of a bunya tree, which is one of our few native conifers,” he said of the shield.
“It’s a great privilege to be part of this.
“I have some great connections in rugby league. Eric Simms is my cousin, and Preston Campbell is my cousin as well.”
The Kenny-Sterling Shield is named after Australian rugby league greats Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling.
The pair played for the Parramatta Eels before they met on opposite teams in the 1985 Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
It’s regarded as one of the greatest Cup finals of all time, with Kenny’s team Wigan winning 28-24 against a Sterling-led Hull FC.
“I’m sure, win or lose, the players would all agree it’s an honour to play for something that is so distinctive and unique,” Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said of the shield.
Hull FC will use Kiama as a training base during its visit.
Sporting a Wigan jersey with “Lord Mayor” emblazoned on the back at the reception, Cr Bradbery jokingly challenged Hull FC to ensure Kiama Mayor Mark Honey was “appropriately dressed” in one of their jerseys.
“I’m showing my bias now; I’m definitely in the Wigan camp,” Cr Bradbery said.
“This isn’t just about rugby league, this is about forging opportunities between Australia and the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ group, to look at trade, educational, cultural and other opportunities as well as sport.
“The opportunities are immense to forge links and opportunities between our city, our region and the Northern Powerhouse group.”
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
