Tag: Norths rugby club

Norths Rugby Club Avoids Serious Damage From Cyclone Alfred

Photo Credit: Facebook / Leanne Linard MP

Norths Rugby Club has avoided serious damage despite threatening floodwaters in Wavell Heights from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

Read: Inside Connected Inc in Virginia, An Op Shop with a Bigger Purpose

The club, located at Hugh Courtney Oval near Kedron Brook, potentially faced a $50,000-plus recovery bill as water levels rose toward the crossbar of goalposts on Sunday. Director of Rugby Michael Bell witnessed the brook overflowing around 7:30-8:00 AM Sunday, with water advancing across the playing field within an hour.

“If it gets into the clubhouse we are in a lot of trouble,” Bell had said on Sunday, noting approximately $50,000 worth of newly ordered playing gear was at risk, along with irreplaceable club memorabilia.

Kedron Brook
Photo Credit: Facebook / Carolynne Berry

However, a Monday morning assessment revealed a more positive outcome for the Wavell Heights sporting facility.

“Out and about this morning checking on key areas that are often hit the hardest by extreme weather – our local clubs down at Shaw Road have debris on the roads leading in to their carpark and along fence lines but the Norths Rugby Club and cricket fields have avoided serious damage,” MP Leanne Linard reported.

This comes as significant relief for the Wavell Heights club, particularly given their difficult experience during the 2022 floods when water levels at the club reached just below the goalpost pads and came within 6 meters of the club concourse.

Read: Two Men Detained at Northgate Home in Police Investigation

While some cleanup will be necessary to clear debris from roads and fence lines in the Shaw Road sporting precinct, the Wavell Heights facility appears to have escaped the worst-case scenario that officials feared when Kedron Brook’s banks first broke.

Published 10-March-2025

Norths Rugby Fundraiser Supports Jordan Luke After Life-Changing Injury

The rugby community is coming together to support Jordan Luke, whose life was altered dramatically after suffering an injury that left him with permanent loss of function in his arm.

Read: GingerCloud Foundation Opens Modified Rugby Program in Wavell Heights

Luke’s life took an unexpected turn during a home game at Wavell Heights on June 15. Doctors informed Luke that he had damaged his brachial plexus, a network of nerves connecting the arm to the neck and torso. 

Recounting the incident, Luke explained that he approached the player to tackle as he had done countless times before. Upon making contact and falling to the ground, he realised he couldn’t brace himself and was unable to move his right arm or leg.

Photo credit: Norths Rugby Club/Facebook 

Norths Rugby has initiated a fundraising campaign for Luke and hosted a community event last Saturday, July 13, at the Norths’ homeground.

The fundraising event held for Luke at Norths Rugby Club proved to be a resounding success. The community turned out in force, demonstrating an overwhelming show of support and solidarity for Luke during this challenging time. 

Photo credit: Norths Rugby Club/Facebook 

Meanwhile, the days following the injury were tumultuous for Luke. He initially thought it might be a severe case of a “stinger,” an injury involving stretched or compressed nerves in the neck or shoulder. However, he soon experienced intense nerve pain in his arm and shoulder.

Luke described the worsening pain, which became excruciating. Doctors struggled to find an effective pain medication, eventually resorting to ketamine. During this time, Luke grappled with worst-case scenarios, contemplating the possibility of never being able to pick up his niece or future children again.

Photo credit: Norths Rugby Club/Facebook 

Still, Luke expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support from his partner Mathison, family, close friends, and Norths Rugby during this challenging time. He acknowledged the significance of the fundraising efforts, offers of assistance, and messages of support.

Read: Norths Devils Assumes Lease on Warburton Park Sporting Field, Ensures It Stays With Rugby League

As the rugby community continues to rally around one of their own, the club’s message resonates clearly: “Together, we are making a real difference in Jordan’s life. Let’s keep this momentum going and help Jordan on his road to recovery!”

Those wishing to support Jordan Luke in his recovery journey can contribute to the GoFundMe campaign set up by Norths Rugby, which aims to assist with Luke’s medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. 

Published 17-July-2024