The Dyldam Parramatta Eels would like to congratulate one of our local junior rugby league club, the Kellyville Rouse Hill Bushrangers, who’s 2014 Under 10s side won the coveted Team Spirit of the Year Award at this week’s NewsLocal Junior Sports Star Awards sponsored by Rebel.
The Bushrangers team all shaved their heads to raise money and awareness of their former team-mate Oscar Buhagiar who died in 2010 of neuroblastoma.
The Team Spirit Award is sponsored by Fox Sports Pulse.
The under-10s side raised more than $33,000 for Cure our Kids last year, is coached by Oscar’s dad Chris and received the award on from the Junior Sports Star judges for the remarkable spirit and mateship.
The award was received by Oscar’s brother Cavan on behalf of his Bushrangers’ teammates.
The Bushrangers shaving cycle at the club was started by Chris in 2012 to honour of his son and raise money for Cure Our Kids. Former Eels captain Nathan Hindmarsh, took part in the shave in 2012 and along with several Eels players, had been close to Oscar during his illness.
Bushrangers spokeswoman Katrina Wood, whose son Christopher, is a member of the team, told The Daily Telegraph the award came out of the blue.
“We were gobsmacked and totally surprised to the award as there were several worthy finalists,” Ms Wood said.
“The players just set out to raise funds and from there it went from strength to strength.”
