THE beautiful thing about sporting clubs is that they are a welcoming, inclusive community in good times and bad. In the past 12 months, the North Tamworth Bears have known both.
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In August last year, the Bears took out the Group 4 premiership with a victory over Gunnedah.
Fast-forward to December, and the club was rallying around the Byrnes family after the tragic death of three-year-old Archie in a car crash.
It's with that experience the Bears will take to the field in 2019 wearing jerseys with Archie's name scrolled across their hearts.
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Bears captain Scott Blanch said the aim of the commemorative jerseys was to help support the Byrnes family.
"Originally the idea came up as a way for the playing group to get behind the family throughout the season," Blanch said.
"From there, the club got behind as a whole and had some supporter jerseys made up as well, with some of Archie's favourite things on them. In a way, this year we will be doing it for Archie and the whole Byrnes family."
Blanch said the entire club had "gotten right behind the jerseys".
"I think we have sold a few hundred of the supporters' jerseys so far.
"It's great to see our club supporting one another in any way we can."
New season
The Bears will begin their premiership defence with an away game against the Werris Creek Magpies.
"We are really keen to get into the season," Blanch said.
"It's been a long time coming and I think we are all pretty glad it's finally here.
"We've had two pretty strong trial match hit-outs and can't wait to get into the real thing."
Blanch said the club would welcome back some familiar faces in 2019, as well as some new talent.
"At this stage, young Cody Byrne will make his first-grade debut for us on Saturday against Werris Creek," Blanch said.
"He has really shown us a lot over the pre-season and in the trial matches, so he gets his opportunity.
"As well as Cody, we will have Brock Wadwell returning to the team after a year off and Josh Schmeidel coming back after a few years as well.
"So at this stage, we are shaping up pretty well."
