Ingram wins third straight Yanco-Wamoon Best and Fairest

By Tallon Smith

Yanco-Wamoon club stalwart Billy Ingram has achieved a rare feat, winning his third consecutive best and fairest award at the club’s presentation night at the Yanco All Servicemen’s club on Saturday Night.

The 150-game veteran lock forward was a standout for the Hawks this season, where they finished in seventh place after a horror run with injuries, with his performances earning him the top gong, as well as Players’ Player and the club’s Iron Man Award.

Club President Pat Hart said that Ingram was thoroughly deserving of the award after another great season.

“He played every game, and he’s just one of them blokes who gives 100% every game,” he said.

“He plays hard, he runs hard, he tackles hard, he’s tough as nails.

“He’s the kind of bloke, Billy, you need one or two of in the team, he’s a great clubman.”

Threepeat: Billy Ingram receives his third successive Yanco-Wamoon First Grade Best and Fairest award (*Photo: Kym Hart*)

Star Hooker Elwyn Ravu and Rookie Forward Ky Preston also dominated the awards night, picking up two and three awards respectively.

Meanwhile, it was Emily Glennie and Tamika Rourke who dominated in the League Tag awards, with the former picking up the Best and Fairest, while the latter won two awards, including the prestigious Tess Staines Rising Star Award, named after the club’s most famous recent export and current winger for the Wests Tigers’ NRLW team.

Hart said that both Glennie and Rourke were deserving recipients after their outstanding performances across the season.

“Emily is like Bill [Ingram], she turns up every week and plays hard and trains hard,” Hart said.

“Tamika, she plays Aussie Rules for the [Murray] Bushrangers [Under 18s representative team].”

“She’s super fast, she has a great kicking game because she plays Rules.

“She’s one of those girls, she could play soccer, football anything, she’s a natural superstar.”

Yanco-Wamoon’s Ladies League Tag side with Pat and Kym Hart, coach and manager respctively. (*Supplied: Kym Hart*)

Perhaps the highlight of the night however was the awarding of the club’s Best Training Award to league tag star Brittany Dolan, who remarkably continued training up until the night prior to the birth of her baby son, Moses.

The honour was awarded to both Brittany and Moses in a heartwarming moment which typified the community feel of the Yanco-Wamoon club.

Brittany Dolan and baby Moses with Kym Hart (*Supplied*)

A close second was the awarding of Life Membership to Kym Hart. Along with her husband Pat, Kym effectively coordinates the club.

Kym and Pat have been involved with the club for decades, and kept the club afloat this season after a difficult few years post-COVID.

In addition to this, Kym also won the Club Person of the Year award, a very deserved honour for a committed country footy volunteer.

Kym said that receiving the award was a very emotional experience, especially given that it was such a surprise after a hard year of running the proud but battling club.

“It was very emotional,” she said.

“Very proud, yeah it was very emotional and I am so very proud to be put in that position of life membership and club person in the same year.”

Yanco-Wamoon RLFC Life Member: Kym Hart (*Supplied)*

There were many other award winners on Saturday Night, who have been listed below.

Battlers For Bush Footy would also like to provide notice for all interested that the Yanco-Wamoon RLFC’s AGM will be held this Wednesday, October 4, at the Yanco All-Servicemen’s Club from 7pm.