Emotional return to field for team shattered by horrific wedding bus crash that claimed 10 lives
- AFL team shattered by wedding bus crash is playing again
- Older teams of the Singleton Roosters took to the field
- At least eight of the 10 people killed were part of the club
The Hunter Valley town AFL club took to the field for the first time since an overturned bus claimed the lives of some of the club’s members.
Neither Singleton Rooster team has played a game since the bus overturned on the way back from a wedding near the Hunter Expressway in Greta on June 11, killing 10 people and injuring 25.
At least eight of those killed were club members, current or former players, or were involved with the AFL club in some way.
The couple whose wedding had taken place that day, Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell, are members of the Roosters, so many of their wedding guests also participated in the club.
Saturday marked the return to the field of the senior men’s and women’s teams for the first time since the incident, with the Rooster women enjoying a win over Cardiff Hawks.
The Singleton Roosters senior men’s and women’s teams took to the field on Saturday after the horrific bus accident (pictured, women’s red and white team in action)
Neither Singleton Rooster team has played a game since the bus overturned on the way back from a wedding near the Hunter Expressway in Greta on June 11 (emergency crews pictured afterwards)
At least eight of the ten who died were members of the club, current or former players, or were connected to the club in some way (pictured, scene of bus crash)
NSW Premier Chris Minns watched from the sidelines at Rose Point Park, before announcing $1.7m for the Roosters so they can upgrade their facilities and install a memorial to players and members who have died in a bus crash.
Announcing the funding, Mr Minns said it is “appropriate” to build a memorial.
“This has been a difficult match to watch…it’s great to see the Roosters on the pitch…there’s no consolation after such a terrible tragedy,” said the Premier.
“I am pleased to report that the NSW Government will be partnering with Singleton Council and the AFL to provide new facilities for the club.
The couple whose wedding had taken place that day, Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell (pictured at the funeral of one of the victims) are members of the Roosters.
NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured Mr Minns embracing the Roosters club chairman) watched from the sidelines at Rose Point Park, before announcing $1.7m for the Roosters so they can upgrade their facilities.
A memorial will also be built to the players and members killed in a bus accident (pictured senior women’s team on Saturday)
‘A wonderful regional community has lost a lot of young people who were the future of the community.’
The AFL and Singleton Council will also contribute funds, which will expand the clubhouse at Rose Point Park and build a permanent memorial to the victims of the bus crash.
Improvements include new locker rooms with showers, referee areas, a scorer’s box, first aid room, restrooms, and renovations to existing buildings.
The AFL will donate $250,000 from its Australian Football Facilities Fund, while the council’s contribution is yet to be finalized.
