Goolgowi and Rankins Spring will meet Yenda and Forbes in pre-season matches in memory of Billy Hale and Dane Richards.

By Jamie Parsons

The Goolgowi and Rankins Springs clubs have announced their first trials to take place on Saturday April 5 at Goolgowi. Goolgowi have revived the Billy Hale Memorial against Yenda for the third time, after games in 2021 and 2023. 

Billy Hale, son of Proten Cup founder Geoff Hale and Donna Hale, played Group 20 football for Yenda including an U18s premiership in 2016, and was part of the inaugural Goolgowi Proten Cup side, winning the premiership with them in 2019. Yenda has won both the previous clashes between the two sides.

On the same day Rankins Springs will play Forbes in honour of Dragons local Dane Richards, son of Brad Richards and Lesley Richards. Dane played junior footy for Yenda and Forbes, where he attended high school, and made his Dragons debut in 2023. Dane’s brother Josh and cousin Sam both play for Rankins Springs currently.

Both Billy and Dane were lost to suicide; Billy in 2020 and Dane in 2023. With such small rural communities, the loss of a young son hits many and hits hard, with Billy and Dane's family and friends still feeling the effects years later. 

Charity and support groups Wellways, Standby and Man Cave will be on hand to promote mental health awareness and support for those still hurting from the effects of suicide. The day is also planned to have a women’s game between Yenda and Goolgowi to kick-off at 12.30pm, followed by the Dane Richards Memorial at 1.30pm and the Billy Hale Memorial at 3.00pm. Wellways is planning a presentation along with breakfast at 9.30am.

Yenda and Goolgowi's jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the mental health charities. At the last Billy Hale Memorial held in 2023, the auction raised $22,074 in honour of Billy. There will be also be a special one-off only jersey auctioned off for Dane Richards featuring elements from Yenda, Forbes and Rankins Springs.

BILLY HALE & DANE RICHARDS MEMORIAL GAMES