Club president Marty Reynolds was ecstatic to receive the funds and said that it would relieve a lot of pressure on the club for the 2018 season. 

“Massive, a massive help for the club, it’s huge,” Reynolds said. 

“Any donation is always a bonus, but when it’s at that level it’s fantastic.

“We buy new jumpers every three years, and it’s a new jumper year next year.

“So it’s huge towards that because it’s a pretty costly experience.” 

The donation came as a complete surprise to the club, as they did not have anything to do with the nomination. 

The Carbine Club donates the money to a junior club of whom a former player has fallen on hard times. 

Last year, former Crookwell rugby league player Brad Hayes was nominated by his welfare officer, and the Crookwell Junior Rugby League Club was subsequently chosen.

Soon after the club was chosen, an NRL gala event was held on Thursday September 28 at the Crown Casino, which featured some of Australian rugby league’s elite. 

Hayes attended the event to accept the award in person, along with his uncle, Dal.

Also in attendance were Brad Dawson and Mitch McGeechan from the senior rugby league club. 

In his initial response to the announcement, Reynolds expressed his deep gratitude to Hayes.

“Crookwell Junior League [extends] a massive thank you to Brad and the Hayes family for their efforts in gaining this donation,” Reynolds said.

Hayes had suffered a horrifying accident on the footy field and was left with spinal injuries during the 2016 season, as the Crookwell Gazette has previously reported.

Since the incident, the Crookwell rugby league community has rallied and raised a huge amount of money to support Hayes’ recovery.