The winner of the Ricky Walford Shield, an annual seven-a-side rugby league carnival held in Walgett for primary school aged children, usually has the honour of competing against 24 other teams from across the state in the Legends of League competition. However, the Ricky Walford Shield had to be postponed this year after it was washed out in the second week of August so the central school was given the opportunity to attend, all expenses paid, thanks to Australian Rugby League and the man himself, Ricky Walford.

The boys who represented Lightning Ridge enjoyed mixing with former rugby league heroes such as Mario Fenech, Steve Mortimer, Paul Sironen, Terry Lamb and, of course, Ricky Walford, as well as some contemporary players from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Amanda Cheal, who accompanied the boys to Sydney on behalf of the school, said the boys thought it was a great thrill to have some of league’s biggest stars watching them play footy.

The students partook in four games in total, narrowly going down to the teams representing Eastern Suburbs, South Sydney and Illawara and drawing with the team from the Riverina in their fourth match.

Afterwards the students enjoyed Telstra’s post-match entertainment including a video conference with Mr Fenech, a game of trivia and lots of giveaways.

ARL Development General Manager Bill Palmer said the Legends of League gala day provided a great opportunity for school children to participate in structured completions which were directly associated with many of their rugby league heroes.

“A lot of children participating look up to these former players as role models and it is fantastic they are able to support the Telstra Legends Sheld,” he said.