“Have you heard of the Badge?”
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That’s not a sentence most would ever have heard from the mouth of former Sydney Roosters, NSW and Australian rugby league great Brad Fittler.
But, invariably anyone in rugby league circles, within Western Division boundaries at least, has definitely heard of the Badge.
“He’s been a real superstar for us, has Badger,” Fittler said of this area’s Hogs For The Homeless champion, Errol ‘Badger’ Babbage.
Fittler says he and the Hogs return to Orange every year because of the support the likes of Badger provide such a cause.
“He’s raised $15,000 to $20,000 for us every time we’ve done something like this. And that’s what this is about,” Fittler continued.
“We want to get out there and support passionate people, Badger’s one of those people, another one is Father Chris Riley.
“Father Chris isn’t one of those guys who screams about the work he does, but our game attracts a lot of kids and Chris’ charity helps kids who fall on hard times. He’s passionate about that and we want to support that.”
This year’s Hogs For The Homeless tour kicks off on February 17 when former Origin greats Nathan Hindmarsh, Steve Menzies, Danny Buderus and Fittler ride through 14 country towns in 10 days to help raise money for Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets movement.
The fifth Hogs For The Homeless journey, they’ll be joined by Josh Perry, Steve Roach, Paul, Sironen, Tim Brasher and Ian Schubert for the 2017 ride, which will land in Orange on Friday, February 17.
The team will conduct a clinic – Fittler says they give a footy out to every junior that attends – while also holding a Youth Off The Streets fundraiser that night.
“It’s going to be a great ride. We’re going to help launch a couple of girls’ nines competitions in a few areas and we’re helping with a new field in Walgett.
In total, the team will ride 4000 kilometres across the state.
“I love it … we’ve got a couple of 700km days though, they’re not too fun,” Fittler said.
“But it’s a great trip and a great chance to get around and meet a lot of great rugby league men and women.”
Anyone interested in the Duntryleague fundraiser can contact the club on 6362 3466