Groom’s emotional return after bus tragedy

None of the Singleton Rooster’s teams have played a game since the bus overturned on the way back from a wedding in the near the Hunter Expressway at Greta on June 11 — killing 10 people and injuring 25.

At least eight of those killed were club members, current or former players, or were involved in the AFL club in some capacity.

The couple whose wedding had been held that day, Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell, are Roosters members, so many of their wedding guests were also involved with the club.

Mr Gaffney was seen taking to the field tabo join his Rooster teammates as they marked the occasion by wearing a black bands on their arms in honour of those who died in the horrific bus crash.

Saturday marked the men’s and women’s senior sides return to the field for the first time since the incident, with the Rooster’s women clashing with the Cardiff Hawks.

The men’s team beat Bateau Bay 81-38 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the women’s team lost to the Hawks 30-43 after a hard fought game charged with lots of passion from both sides

NSW Premier Chris Minns watched from the sidelines at Rose Point Park, before announcing $1.7m for the Roosters so they can upgrade their facilities, and install a memorial to players and members killed in a bus crash.

Announcing the funding, Mr Minns said it’s “appropriate” a commemoration is built.

“This has been a tough game to watch … it’s great to see the Roosters out on the field … there’s no consolations after a terrible tragedy like this,” the Premier said.

“I’m happy to report the NSW government will partner with the Singleton Council and the AFL to provide new facilities for the club.

“A wonderful regional community has lost a whole bunch of young people, the future of the town, and it‘s going to grieve, it’s going to take some time for this community to get back on its feet.”

Club president Dylan Hixon said the announcement was a “dream come true.”

“Before this happened, this was something we wanted to push and this is all we wanted to help juniors, help the female team come through and help our male team and just build as a club,” he said.

“We are a family here and we lost parts of our family and that’s really hard for myself and all of us as a club.”

The AFL and Singleton Council will also contribute funds, which will see the clubhouse at Rose Point Park expanded, and a permanent memorial to the bus crash victims built.

The enhancements include new change rooms with showers, umpire areas, a scorers‘ box, first-aid room, toilets, and renovations of existing buildings.

The AFL will give $250,000 from its Australian Football Facilities Fund, while the council’s contribution is yet to be finalised.

Originally published as Emotional moment as Singleton Roosters return to pitch for first time since Greta bus crash