Social distancing, isolation, job losses, financial difficulties, health concerns – in the big picture, a period without rugby league (or any sport) seems insignificant by comparison.
However, we all know that the NRL is an important industry within Australia providing employment directly and indirectly to many thousands of Australians. The majority of those people are now either unemployed or facing significantly reduced incomes.
Just as significantly, the NRL and sport in general provide vital health benefits for the community – both physical and mental. This should not be ignored.
If we are looking at anything up to 4 to 6 months of social distancing measures, then our current situation is only in its early days. Focussing on mental health alone, we are a long way off seeing the worst of what these times could mean.
The Cumberland Throw community is, of course, a community who loves their footy and the Parramatta Eels. We stay connected at the football, and we stay connected talking and debating about the Eels.
Going to the footy, be it weekly, fortnightly or occasionally, is a therapeutic social outlet. We catch up with mates, we have a laugh, we have a yell, we express our frustrations. And then websites like TCT allow us to continue that connectedness, especially for those who can’t get to games.
Right now, it’s important to stay connected.
Which brings us to this post.
In these days when we can’t catch up at the footy, or share opinions withIn our TCT community about the Eels and their matches, we have this platform to maybe make it a little easier for some fellow supporters.
So, if you’re involved in a business which is still trading right now, share that with us. If you’re now looking for work, you can share that too. Perhaps there might be someone in the TCT community who can help.
It might also be worthwhile to tell others how you’re making use of your time at home. Are you wearing out old recordings of footy games? Have you become an exercise fanatic, found the tradie or teacher within? Are you suddenly familiar with your kids names? Are you experimenting with sobriety or with cocktails? The local Liquorland store told me that they had sold $36K of product before 10:30am on Thursday, so I guess that was a sign of people’s plans for the Easter weekend.
The one thing that I’ll share is that a daily walk has become more important for me. It’s not just getting some exercise – because heaven knows I need it – it’s actually the simple act of saying “good morning” as I pass people. It might only be a few people that I cross paths with each morning, but I find a smile and a quick greeting is therapeutic.
I also wanted to extend my best wishes to all of the Eels players and staff. Many are without work and unsure of any return date. Others, like the players are on reduced salaries or getting whatever work they can. And in the case of BA and some of his staff, despite being stood down, it’s still a case of keeping the squad fit, motivated and ready for the premiership re-start.
To those many people involved with the Eels who follow TCT, please know that we are grateful for your work and the rewards that will come when the footy returns.
Finally, a huge thanks to our sponsors, Star Partners Auburn and Narellan, and Easily Green Energy Solutions, for continuing their support of TCT at this time. It’s greatly appreciated.
Eels forever!
Sixties
I, too, wish to add my thanks to the companies that continue to sponsor The Cumberland Throw, and also to you Sixties and the team at TCT for continuing to ‘feed’ us supporters with interesting articles on the Club and its players. Not an easy feat to continually come us with items of interest..Well done, appreciate it
Cheers mate. Have you had your say on the pre 1981 team list yet? I value your opinion on the early era players.
Nice blog Sixties. I cannot help but agree with your sentiment. For me life is not over and i have definitely not been stuck on iPads etc nor watching old footy games. Some of the fox shows on league have been useful……some not as useful.
For me i am lucky to have permanent work and am now on a two wk break so its home mostly.
I for one feel sorry for the small business owners and staff and others. I know some get some cash payments and the like but some miss out. V tough times.
So my gym is closed but i managed to snag an exercise bike that i am enjoying and borrowed some ropes from work so i have some type of work out to do. What this highlights for me is the lack of footpaths around to walk on and also with young ones and a stroller etc.
And i know i may be in the minority but i have not missed the football – yes I have missed parra playing but i have not missed the actual games of others and some of the rubbish from the game in terms of issues and political points.
The issues of the nrl have been a huge concern and that is all i will say here; and i am somewhat concerned about the games comeback in late May…..but will see what eventuates. I only hope its healthy to comeback.
Sixties i have noticed our pie shop up here doing a superb trade lately……👍
I know you enjoy your gym trips Milo so I’m glad you’ve worked on alternatives. We had planned on a trip up your way in late March with of course a visit or two to Kens. Glad he’s trading well!
Hi Sixties and the team, as a sponsor, we really appreciate the thank you . We love being part of the TCT community, as a lifelong Parra fan I have been reading it since day one, and will continue to support as we can. This is the sort of sponsorship we like being involved with – and do in with a few groups – small ( smallish), community based, valuable to people that are involved with that group, and a bit “under the radar”or more “low profile” , and where we can add value or create opportunity.
I think your suggestion is a great idea that you are putting forward….supporting each other is what is needed……and hopefully when the footy is back….whenever that is, we can all have a get together and celebrate.
If anyone in the group readership wants to reach out ( eg – they may be involved in businesses that work in or around real estate – finance, conveyancing, trades, cleaning, photography, renovations, lawn mowing , etc) ….feel free to contact me and maybe we can get some work your way if we can. My email is : greg@starrpartners.com.au. Stay safe everyone, and hopefully we catch up at the footy as soon as we can
Thank you for your support and suggestions too Greg. And that’s a terrific offer you’ve made.
I have just gotten over a series of emails with a long time friend, who gave the game a real going over, accusing the sport, and later added other codes as well to his first email to me, I have to say I was very much taken back by his reply and then a second one from him where he said most players were thugs, amongst other things. He would not wear the idea of what he believed was the game being played without health and government approvals.
After three interactions and posting some links to what was in the media regarding the start of the comp, I replied for the last email and said to him about how much players from the eels go to the Children’s hospital for visits and also the general work in the community, as my friend has just moved down to the South Coast near Batemans Bay, I suggested to him that why not take a trip down there and ask the township of Bega and many surrounding areas along with the farmers and the like, felt about the two teams playing their trial gam at Bega.
I said to him that those people you hint at being thugs etc. did a heck of a lot of physical help along with helping the emotional scars that went on down there, over the few days the teams were there.
Funnily enough his last reply was to just say he was not going to continue the discussion, especially when my last reply had the links as to the restart of the game was not in the health ministers hands, (refuting some elements in his denial about knowing anything of a start date) where the media report had said that they had spoken to him and the dealings now were being handled by the Premiers department.
While this may be a little off topic but I felt compelled to mentioned it owing to how some people are reacting to things that they and us supporters have no real chance of defending the code, the game, players and all the staff and general supporters in what they are themselves going through.
Colin, I think your anecdote is a reminder that firstly the NRL and its players takes its community responsibilities seriously, and that entire regions can be positively impacted by the work they do. Secondly, it reminds us (And the NRL) that there are different perspectives out there, and that those perspectives have often been coloured by the actions of a few players who do the wrong thing. Often times, you can’t change people who become set in their way of thinking, but it shouldn’t stop anyone from continuing to do good.
Sixties your suggestion that you now take a walk each morning leads me (should I say Segway) to this thought
I moved to The Entrance from Pyrmont about 4 years ago and go for a walk each day. The first thing that I noticed after the Christmas crowd had gone back to Sydney was that people are more friendly and laid back.
A small group of us sometimes gather at Toast & Co around the corner from Kens. This has grown from two to sometimes a dozen people. We discuss everything from sport to to politics
Sometimes casual diners become involved on hearing the discussions. I loved my time at Pyrmont and only left to get a bigger apartment after I retired but never experienced this kind of casual friendship while there
I still travel to Sydney every week and twice a week when the Eels play at Bankwest
PS. Whilst tapping away on this post the Seagulls are hanging around. Must be hungry with no Easter weekend tourists
I’ve missed my trip to the Entrance this year John. Over the last few years I usually only get away for 4-5 days (sometimes only a weekend), but it’s definitely always outside of school holiday times. It’s also good to catch up with friends like Milo and his lovely wife Courtney. Every day there a walk is essential – along the beach, or down to the shops. Saying hello to others out on a walk is a big part of that. If it’s warm enough, a swim in the Ocean baths is also a daily essential. I often see the same collection of people at the baths – their skin like old leather!
Kens Pies – mentioning that place is cruel. We always bring a supply of pies home to freeze for later.
I live up near the surf club. I keep threatening Milo that I will catch up with him. I am sure that it will happen one day
We will John. I will stop by there one day before work.
On Ocean Parade? That road is my preferred location.
Yes mate – always a good catch up. We stocked up the freezer with a few….for that rainy day.
Jealous!
John i hope there are less ‘human visitors’ this year due to the current health crisis; which of course means better seats and more ‘social distancing..’. Good food areas around there too….Ken’s a champion pie maker and his pastries are superb too.
I have been to Kens a few times. I like his pies. Issue is that it does not fit in too well with my diet
The tourist numbers are way down on previous seasons which makes it tough for the traders. They basically count on the various holiday times to survive.
The biggest weekend for most in The Entrance is Chromefest. They all look forward to that
Good read sixties. Living life a bit slower isn’t so bad, we just stay alert and aware and go along with the advice and rules. Being retired is a bit like quarantine anyway,
Sixties, did you read Malcolm Knox’s article on why we love League, why people hate it, and why we stick with it? A good piece of therapy when all sorts of madness is lurking.
No I didn’t. Have you got a link?
Apols sixties….by longhand…Google ‘Like a moth to the game Malcolm Knox’
Cheers