ProTen's newest president crowned Battler of the Year

By Tallon Smith

We have arrived at the pointy end of the year, and it is time to crown our 2024 Battlers For Bush Footy Battler of the Year.

The Battler of the Year is the most prestigious award given by Battlers For Bush Footy, to the player or volunteer that does the most for a club or the game across regional Australia.

The award is in line with the mission statement of Battlers For Bush Footy, which is to “positively promote and share the spirit of the game of rugby league in regional New South Wales and beyond.”

Each of the nominees and the eventual winner is selected by myself, Tallon Smith, the founder and editor of Battlers For Bush Footy, based upon the impact on the game as observed by myself and my friends, acquaintances and contacts across the state.

Therefore, after a thorough decision making process and much speculation, we would like to announce the 2024 Battler of the Year…

Kurt Longford (President, Deniliquin Blue Heelers, Group 17)

Battler of the Year Kurt Longford (left) with Tallon Smith. Image: Battlers for Bush Footy.

After initially being formed in 1964, and going on to win three consecutive premierships between 1969 and 1971, the Blueheelers folded in 1977.

A subsequent attempt was made to re-establish the game in the region via the Deniliquin Raiders, who competed in the Victorian Rugby League’s Goulburn Murray competition in the early 1990s, but that ultimately proved futile.

Enter Longford, with a list of previous clubs longer than Tyran Smith or Blake Green, and a passion for the game that would rival that of people such as Rex Mossop, Ray Warren or Andrew Voss.

After playing for the Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters reserves last year, a chance phone call with The Battler himself spawned the idea for restarting a league club in Deniliquin, where Longford happened to be moving.

Kurt then grabbed onto what was intended to be a throwaway line in a conversation from yours truly, taking the idea and turning it into reality against all odds.

Tallon Smith is a sports writer and the founder of Battlers for Bush Footy website.