Jamie Parsons
The Billy Hale and Dane Richards Memorial Games will be held at Goolgowi next month to honour the two young players lost to suicide, which has greatly affected the Western Riverina communities.
Goolgowi and Rankins Springs clubs have announced their first trial matches taking place on Saturday 5 April will be dedicated to Billy and Dane.
The Rankin Springs-Forbes 1.30pm game is in honour of Dane, while the 3pm match between Goolgowi and Yendi will remember Billy.
A Billy Hale Memorial game was held in 2021 and 2023.
He is the son of ProTen Cup founder Geoff Hale and his wife Donna Hale, and lost his life in 2020.
Billy played Group 20 football for Yenda including an Under 18s premiership in 2016. He was also 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.
Dane is the son of Brad and Lesley Richards, and lost his life in 2023.
He played junior football 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.
The trauma surrounding the two men’s deaths remains with many in the local areas. (Photo above: Geoff Hale and Lesley Richards)
On 5 April charity and support groups Wellways, Standby and The Man Cave will be on hand at Goolgowi Sportsground to promote mental health awareness and support for those still hurting from the effects of suicide.
Wellways is planning a presentation along with breakfast at 9.30am.
The day will also have a women’s game between Yenda and Goolgowi kicking off at 12.30pm.
Yenda and Goolgowi jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the mental health charities. At the last Billy Hale Memorial in 2023, the auction raised more than $22,000 in honour of Billy.
There will be also be a special one-off jersey auctioned off for Dane Richards featuring elements from Yenda, Forbes and Rankins Springs.
Standby can be found at: www.standbysupport.com.au
Wellways at: www.wellways.org
The Man Cave at: www.themancave.life
