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Please join us in welcoming former Western Force captain and Zimbabwe Sables playmaker Ian Prior to the Stockman Rugby stables as a valued ambassador. Ian has enjoyed a decorated rugby career playing over 200 first class rugby fixtures around the world, winning a Super Rugby title with the Queensland Reds, defeating the British & Irish Lions with the ACT Brumbies, and captaining the Western Force (where he amassed over 100 caps). At the international level, Ian has proudly represented the Junior Wallabies at the Junior Rugby World Cup and his heritage nation Zimbabwe, contributing to the Sables 2027 World Cup qualification. He is a dedicated family man, exemplary leader and a rugby icon. Welcome abord Ian! “I am excited at the opportunity to be involved with the Australian Country Stockman Rugby program, its representative pathway for rural and regional Australian players. The chance to test yourself in a new environment and provide players with additional opportunities is vital to the landscape in Australian Rugby. Additionally, the sport and program acts a vehicle to demonstrate the importance of community sport that ties into men’s health conversations.” Ian Prior

Thanks at Greg Holmes for your Support! Holmsey is one Stockies longest serving ambassadors and a legend of Australian rugby, thanks for taking the time Holmsey and plugging into the program like you do mate

We are delighted to welcome talented Blindside flanker Ned Hanigan to Stockman Rugby Ambassador family. Ned has enjoyed a decorated representative career having pulled on the gold jersey for the Wallabies, Barbarians Rugby, Australia A, Australia U20’s and Australian Schoolboys. He’s a NSW Waratahs legend and a valued member of Provence Rugby in France. Born in Dubbo and raised in Coonamble he’s a country boy who represents the best qualities of Australian culture. He cares about men’s health and wellbeing is a wonderfull fit for this Australian Country rugby program. “The Stockman Rugby program has something incredibly unique about it. The rugby is one aspect. It develops and facilitates the dreams of the men that play in the jersey but what makes it more than just a team or the game of rugby is the awareness the team shows towards mens mental health issues. We have all had something to do with mental health, whether it be personally or someone close to us, so I think what the program does, for particularly blokes in the bush, is paramount in making conversations a little bit easier. I am so proud to be part of the Stockies program and I can’t wait too watch the boys get their knees up off the back fence and get stuck right in.” Ned Hanigan Ambassador

We’re proud to announce the Australian Country - Stockmen Rugby program will be heading to Japan in October 2026. Due to international travel uncertainty and an increasing cost of living the slated tour to Europe has been postponed. We congratulate the quality country rugby players and staff members who have been selected from across Australia to participate in this exciting opportunity. Stockmen Rugby’s - Director of Rugby and Head Coach Ben Mowen Said: "Being a part of a program that unites the spirit of the bush through rugby and its traditions is truly rewarding. As a former assistant coach of Japan’s Women’s Rugby Team I have a deep affection for the culture and people of Japan and I am looking forward to introducing the squad to the culture and people. As a group we all look forward to assembling in October with what will be a history making tour." The Australian Country team enjoyed playing fixtures against Japan U23’s and Fiji U20’s in April and will look to build on that positive experience for the four game, two week tour of Japan in October. The four fixtures will be announced in the near future and will feature games v top-tier professional sides.

Australian Country - Stockmen Rugby are proud to announce a three game, nine day tour in April 2026! We are honoured to be involved in the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby and look forward to the following fixtures. Congratulations to the selected players and staff. As an international touring team we are looking forward to showcasing v international opposition in Australia ✊🏽 🇦🇺 V Grafton Redmen Rugby, 4th April, Grafton NSW V Japan U23's, 8th April, Kempsy NSW V Fiji U20's, 11th April, Coffs Harbour NSW Tickets on sale: https://coffscoast.com.au/rugby/

We're looking forward to announcing a number of opportunities for The Australian Country - Stockman Rugby program in 2026, we reckon it's the year of 'The Dark Horse'. Our thanks to those who have been incredibly patient with our staff and player selection process which is nearing completion. Looking forward to saddling up in 2026. 'reOnTheUp

Galahs Diary Entry Nate Hepi - Stocky 111 Dark and gloomy clouds filled the sky but the energy around the Hoey was anything but gloomy. The boys started off their day with the traditional morning coffees and bacon and egg rolls. As the morning started, people were playing cards, having a yarn and getting ready to get the day started. Captains run kicked off with one of MC’s famous speeches, reminding us that this is just a walk through and we aren’t trying to sprint everywhere like we usually do. This led to us having our most progressive session yet. Plays were going smoothly, everything was seeming to click. Finishing off, all the boys hopped in the water with their budgies on for a quick recovery swim. The afternoon was spent lounging, laughing, and prepping. More card games were played, doom scrolling was done and after what seemed like ages, game time was slowly looming around the corner. Once reaching the ground, the boys went and inspected the field. There was only one thing on everyone’s mind, we are on. Warm up started and the team was firing on all cylinders. Walking into the sheds and we were met with another famous speech from MC, revving the boys up. What a game it was, they played hard, and we played harder. We outplayed them, we outsmarted them, we out-hearted them. We ended up finishing the game on our line defending on onslaught of assult from the Fijian attack. We finished the game with a 20-05 win over the Fiji U20s. Once the adrenaline settled we made our way back to the hoey for awards and to celebrate with many, many…….. many beers. Lastly up the galahs. Cacaw Cooooooooowwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeee

Galahs Diary Entry Matthew Williams - Stocky 119 On yet another outrageously perfect morning in Coffs Harbour—where the sun clearly clocks in earlier than the rest of us. The stockmen gathered once more, a little battered, slightly creaky, but far from beaten, we assembled over the true fuel of champions: coffee strong enough to wake the dead and a breakfast that didn’t ask questions. The echoes of the clash with Japan still lingered some highlights, some learning opportunities But today wasn’t about dwelling. As the serious business of review wrapped up, the day loosened its collar. The staff, clearly under strict orders to “work on their swing,” made their way to Bonville for a round of golf that was equal parts sport and therapy. Meanwhile, the players embarked on their own noble pursuits: recovery sessions, conquering Mount Laundry, and perfecting the ancient art of doing absolutely nothing. By afternoon, the tempo slowed, the bodies unwound, and the team settled into a well-earned rhythm of rest recharging for whatever brilliance tomorrow might bring.

Congratulations to Ballina Seahorses fly-half Sam Giltrap for earning Stockman Rugbys coveted best-on-ground, ‘Vegemite-The-Koala’ award v JapanU23’s. Trappy’s outstanding performance was significant in a fixture that displayed the best characteristics of Australian country rugby. Notable mention to the ‘Raging Buffalo’ Riley who’s bullocking runs caused all sorts of issues for our Japanese friends. Trappy earning ‘Vegimite’ is a first for the Australian Country program after Jack Radford claimed Vegemite on game 1 v Grafton Rugby. Both Trappy and Raddy play for the. Ballina Seahorse Rugby Club, we’re privileged to have them.

We're excited to announce ACT Brumbies Academy Coach - Dan Hawke to the position of 2026 Head Coach of our April International Series at the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby. Dan comes highly recommended from Stockman Rugby's Director of Rugby - Ben Mowen. Dan has an impressive coaching resume having managed the Australian Schools Rugby, Queanbeyan Whites and the Bumbies Next Gen. He's a players coach who has a reputation for getting the best out of his players and elevating them to higher honours. “I am proud to be coaching the 2026 Australian Country program in April. We have a strong squad of talented players with a connection to the country, who are excited to play international fixtures against Japan U23’s and Fiji U20’s. As an international touring team, we believe the CoffsCoastFestivalofRugby is a wonderfull platform to showcase the Australian country representative team at home. We’re also looking forward to our first fixture v Grafton Redmen Rugby in Grafton, they epitomise some of the best qualities of country rugby. We are appreciative of our partners and sponsors and are thankful to Rugby Australia for supporting the Stockman Rugby-Australian country pathway.”

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Australian Country squad to take on the pride of Grafton Redmen Rugby, 's and the Fiji Rugby U20's in April. We're proud of the players selected and appreciate the selfless commitment of quality Stockman staff that are supporting this campaign. Our thanks to representative Joey de Deassel for his tireless efforts and to all the sponsors and partners who have generously supported this campaign. Thanks to the Classic Wallabies for you involvement Guy Shepherdson, Ben Mowen, James Holbeck and Ned Hannigan. We’re cheering on our friends Australian U’20’s as they taken on Fiji and Japan and congratulate the selected! We're now and keen to play some! Tickets available via Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby we'd love your company and support! (Art Work Hoggard Visuals)

Former Wallabies and Queensland Reds coach Jim McKay will join regional representative rugby side Australian Stockman as head coach for an upcoming four-match tour of England in October 2024. McKay brings significant experience to the role, as a former Wallabies assistant coach in 2013-2014 and Super Rugby-winning assistant with the Reds in 2011 and 2021 with a decade and 144 games of coaching in the southern hemisphere’s premier rugby competition. He recently joined Noosa Dolphins as head coach for the 2024 Sunshine Coast rugby season. The club is now calling for expressions of interest from young men across Australia with rural/regional backgrounds interested in the upcoming tour ‘For King and Country’, which will include matches against historic clubs Oxford University and Cambridge University. Australian Stockman head coach Jim McKay said: “I’m looking forward to being involved with Stockman Rugby’s ‘For King and Country’ tour. “Having progressed from grassroots rugby myself, I see this opportunity as a way to connect back into the pathways of the community game and the further development of players, who will be selected for this tour from various competitions across Australia. “I align with Stockman Rugby’s holistic player development focus and I’m looking forward to building new rugby relationships and working with the group both on and off the field, in particular the group conversations we will conduct around important men’s health topics. “Rugby and sport in general is such a great vehicle to foster life skills and connect people together as a team. I expect the 2024 squad to rise to the occasion and overcome the challenges they will face in playing quality teams such as Cambridge and Oxford universities.” Founded in Longreach in 2013, the Stockman is an invitational representative side providing athletic and personal development opportunities for amateur rugby union players from regional Australia, with a strong focus on positive conversations around men’s health issues. Australian Stockman President Shaun Mackin said: “We’re thrilled to have Jim invest in Australian Stockman in 2024. His experience speaks for itself. He will be a great leader and mentor for our young men. “In partnership with a number of Australian professional players, we provide rugby development opportunities for grassroots players with country backgrounds and use rugby as a vehicle to discuss men’s health issues such as suicide, depression and substance abuse. We expect these young Australians to leave the Stockman tours as better rugby players and better blokes. Now’s the time for grass-roots rugby players with a rural or regional background to answer the call ‘For King and Country’.” World Cup-winning Wallabies legend and Stockman ambassador John Eales OAM said: “Stockman Rugby provides young men from country Australia with a golden opportunity to grow as players and people. “International rugby tours are a great way to develop life experience, while also testing yourself at a representative level. This is an invaluable, potentially life-changing opportunity for regional rugby players. “I would encourage all Australian Rugby fans to get in behind the Australian Stockman Rugby Union because it is a great cause.” The 2024 tour runs from 4-23 October 2024 with a warm-up match and launch event in Sydney, followed by four matches against English club sides. The three-week tour will also feature cultural immersion activities along with personal development workshops, with a specific focus on wellness and mental health. For King and Country is the fifth tour initiative by Stockman Rugby, having previously toured New Zealand (2013), Ireland (2015), North Queensland (2016), New Zealand and Argentina (2017) and Perth (2018). Interested players can submit their expression of interest at https://bit.ly/StockmanPlayerSubs. Players are selected on ability, potential, strength and fitness markers and character. While Stockman Rugby aims to subsidise some costs through sponsorship and fundraising, tours are largely self-funded by the touring squad.

Thank you to all of our sponsors who have supported our Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby campaign. Your generosity helps us represent Australian Country rugby with pride as we take on Grafton Rugby, Japan Rugby and Fiji Rugby. We're grateful for the support of: - Indi Recruitment - Glasshouse Tavern - Beerwah Hotel - Palmwoods Hotel - Hoey Moey - Waves Disability Services - MG Mining - Stockman Rugby Academy - Donovan Livestock & Property - Callow Livestock - Little Windmills: The Country Kids Charity - QS Commodities - Hoggard Visuals - Clancy Blacklock - MFP Easy Fibreglass Pools - Clubland Australia - Dynasty Sport View all our club sponsors

The countdown is on until we host one of the biggest international rugby days Grafton has seen in years. The Grafton Redmen take on the Australian Stockmen in a clash kicking off at 1PM. Then the action heats up even more as Japan U20s vs Fiji U20s go head-to-head in what promises to be an electric international showdown. Nothing to do this Easter long weekend?? Get down, get loud, and support the club let’s pack the stands and fill the hill as we showcase what Redmen rugby is all about 🔴⚪️

We thoroughly enjoyed attending the Wests Bulldogs Rugby Club charity lunch event recently. The lamb 🐑 vs beef 🥩 debate was a wonderful point of difference, as was the very funny address by Aussie lamb icon - Sam Kekovich. Our thanks to all vendors and bidders and of course to Anthony Ott and the team at Wests. Thank you to Australian Stockman Rugby Union and Little Windmills: The Country Kids Charity ambassadors Charlotte Caslick, Guy Shepherdson and Andrew Swain for attending and speaking so elequently about Little Windmills, rugby and lamb and beef!

We’ve toured some wonderfull countries around the world and call us bias, but we reckon Australia 🇦🇺 is the best!

Australian Stockman has announced a 26-man squad for its upcoming ‘For King and Country’ tour of England with former Australian Sevens and Super Rugby representatives enlisted to don the jersey alongside grassroots recruits. Drawing players with regional and rural backgrounds from across Queensland and New South Wales, the squad will also be bolstered by experienced recruits in dual Olympian Lewis Holland, former Australian Sevens and Queensland Reds flyer Alex Gibbon and former Melbourne Rebels hooker Steve Fualau. The tour will run from 4-25 October, with a warm-up match and launch function in Sydney, before departing for England to take on historic clubs Oxford University, Cambridge University and Black Heath Rugby, with a final fixture to be announced. The squad will be led by former Wallabies and Super Rugby coach Jim McKay, who will be joined in the coaching ranks by former Wallabies and Super Rugby prop Guy Shepherdson and assistant coach Mark Cassidy. Australian Stockman head coach Jim McKay said: “From a significant pool of talented players from across regional Australia, I believe we’ve picked a competitive and well-balanced group to represent Australian Stockman. “There is a great mix of players from a range of backgrounds, different stories and rugby journeys. When the players and staff don the Australian Stockman logo, we’re representing something bigger than ourselves - not only the values and traditions of this proud team, but also our communities from across rural, regional and remote Australia. This is an opportunity for players to step up and showcase their talents and represent their roots. “We will be playing a positive, abrasive and enjoyable style of rugby, whilst embracing the traditional values of team sport, namely connecting and bringing people together. “While the action on the field is important, this tour is also an opportunity to raise awareness around men’s mental health. It’s about coming together as a group for a collective goal and leaving as better players and people. “We’re looking forward to taking country rugby from the bush to Buckingham as we do our best to represent country Australia on and off the field.” Australian Stockman is an invitational representative side founded in Longreach in 2013 to provide athletic and personal development opportunities for grass-roots rugby union players from regional, rural and remote Australia, with a strong focus on positive conversations around men’s health. The ‘2024 For King and Country Tour’ is the fifth tour initiative by Stockman Rugby, having previously toured New Zealand (2013), Ireland (2015), North Queensland (2016), New Zealand and Argentina (2017) and Perth to play the Western Force (2018). Australian Stockman - Playing Squad for England 2024 (Name - Club) Samuel Callow - Maitland, NSW Marcus Christensen - Wanderers, NSW Oscar Cunningham - Queanbeyan, NSW Ben Damen - Wollongbar-Alstonville, NSW Jake Douglas - Southern Districts, NSW Charlie French - Forbes Platypi, NSW Steve Fualau - Moorabin Rams, VIC Alex Gibbon - Richmond Range, NSW Travis Gifford - Warringah Rats, NSW Lewis Holland - Braidwood Redbacks, NSW Faa Lafaitele - Sunshine Coast Brothers, QLD Samuel Laffy - Dalby and District, QLD Edward McGrath - Grafton Redmen, NSW Jake McPhie - Avoca Beach, NSW Alex Meades - Wagga Ag College, NSW Dudley-Thomas Miles - JCU Mariners, QLD Hayden Pratt - Richmond Range, NSW Rob Puliuvea - Hunter Wildfires, NSW Vincent Quigley - Bond University, QLD Lachlan Robinson - University of New South Wales, NSW Jayvan Scarff - Hunter Wildfires, NSW Ryan Schoupp – Woonona Shamrocks, NSW Josh Schwager - Narrabri Blue Boars, NSW Eli Sinoti - Tech Warratahs, NSW Isaac Talbot - Maroochydore Swans, QLD Nathan Thomson - USC Barbarians, QLD Riley Turner - Young Yabbies, NSW Australian Stockman - Support Staff for England 2024 (Name - Club) Shaun Mackin - Tour Manager Theresa Mackin - Tour Manager Jim McKay - Head Coach Guy Shepherdson - Forwards Coach Mark Cassidy - Head Physiotherapist and Assistant Coach Dr Tim Jones - Medical Support Nigel Grevett - Tour Support Clancy Blacklock - Content Creator All squad members are self-funded, both players and support staff have been encouraged to source individual sponsorship to help alleviate their individual tour costs. ENDS Media resources including photos and b-roll: https://bit.ly/StockmanMedia Media contactShaun Mackin - Australian Stockman Rugbyinfo@stockmanrugby.com | 0439 336 036 Stockman Rugby is an initiative of Little Windmills: the Country Kids Charity, a not-for-profit with three key programs - financially assisting seriously sick and injured children in regional, rural and remote Australia, disaster relief for Australians displaced by natural disasters and the Stockman Rugby - Youth Development program.