Football clubs unite for inaugural Anzac Day match

Mitchell Magpies and Roma Cities are coming together with their local RSL branches for the RDRL’s first Anzac Day match.

Football club presidents Mark Street (Roma Cities) and Henry Byrnes (Mitchell Magpies) have come together to start the region's own Anzac Day match between their clubs.

RUGBY LEAGUE :Between two clubs, a new tradition is being forged.

For the first time in the Roma and District Rugby League, the Mitchell Magpies and Roma Cities will play an Anzac Day match, fittingly named after a local who supported both clubs.

The Byron Kelly Memorial Trophy match will be played on April 25 every year between the two clubs, and support both towns’ local RSL branches.

The contest has been almost a year in the making, Mitchell Magpies president Henry Byrnes told The Western Star.

“Club members from Mitchell thought it up last year at Anzac Day, and we brought it to the president of the local sub-branch,” Mitchell Magpies president Henry Byrnes said.

“He thought it was a good idea, so we all pressed on with it, and the RSL kindly donated the trophy.”

As for the naming, Byrnes said it was significant to acknowledge a player who was a part of both sides.

“We have been looking to name it after a player who won premierships for both Cities and Mitchell in the late ’60s and early ’70s – Byron Kelly,” Byrnes said.

“After playing for the clubs he went away for a time, but came back to Mitchell and Mungallala; he coached the juniors, all the way up to A-grade.

“To have it named after someone who has been involved heavily with both clubs, it means so much to the players, as well as the clubs.”

When the idea was brought to Cities, the club jumped at the chance to join.

Roma Cities president Mark Street said it is a fitting nod to the shared history of both Maranoa clubs.

“This is such a good idea, because Kelly was mixed up in both clubs, “ he said.

“Everyone here is very happy to get involved with it; every code does it on their major level, so I think it will be a great thing to bring it to our two towns.”

While this year’s Byron Kelly Memorial Trophy match happens to coincide with round one of the RDRL, held at Mitchell RLFC.

In future years the Anzac Day match will always run on April 25.

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