Located at the top end of New South Wales, with a population of around 100, the rural town of Mallanganee has faced its fair share of battles.
Following seasons of droughts and bushfires, farmers have now been forced to let go of staff due to COVID-19 financial struggles.
However the latest hurdle brought a silver lining.
With dozens of blokes remaining home to help out their families, Alex Gibbon seized the opportunity.
‘’I saw a real chance to start the old club back up and give these boys something to enjoy out here,’’ said Gibbon.
The former Aussie Sevens player moved to Mallanganee three years ago with wife Paige to work as beef cattle farmers.
However the spirit of Rugby has never left him. It also fuelled his determination to jumpstart the local Richmond Range Rugby Club which first folded more than a decade ago when hundreds of locals left town.
‘’There has been a big generational gap but now lots of people are moving back to the land.’’
Gibbon first noticed the wave of newbies after competing in local Touch Rugby games.
''I asked them if they were doing anything on the weekends as I was really worried about their mental health,’’ said Gibbon.
Following a few nudges, he started up an open men’s 15-a-side team.
And it wasn’t long before it was full to the brim with 29 enthusiastic players including a 36-year-old dairy farmer who’d never picked up a rugby ball.
However Gibbon’s wealth of experience mixed with the teams’ determination has paid off.
The side head into the Semi Finals of the NSW Country Cup this weekend against 2019 Premiership winners Evans Head.
‘’We’re very much looking forward to knocking the running premiers off their porch.’’
And whilst the silverware means a great deal to them, the local support means even more.
''Honestly it’s huge, I never expected to receive the support that we’re getting.
''We’ve got 200-300 people coming out to our games in a town population of 100. Even at our away games…we played against Iluka which is a two-hour drive and we had more supporters than them.
‘’Country rugby is still very much alive and it’s just so good for communities,’’ said Gibbon.
The Semi Finals kick off this Saturday at 3:00pm AEST at Evans River Killer Wales Rugby Club.
