It’ s Try Time for Hills Bulls Rugby League Club
with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
A visit to Crestwood Oval, the home of the Hills Bulls Rugby League Club, brought back plenty of memories of growing up around Baulkham Hills. On this occasion, however, it wasn’ t just about nostalgia – it was about celebrating one of rugby league’ s most inspiring programs.
The Hills Bulls recently hosted their Try Time All Abilities Rugby League Gala Day, welcoming players from across the Parramatta Junior Rugby League competition for a day focused on inclusion, participation and fun.
Teams from eight clubs took part in the event, which saw children and adults with varying abilities enjoy the opportunity to play the game they love in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Behind the scenes, a tremendous amount of work went into organising the day. The event was coordinated by Hills Bulls Try Time manager Kierilee O’ Dell, alongside her husband Andrew, who serves as the team’ s head coach.
Kierilee is passionate about creating opportunities for players of all abilities to participate in rugby league.
“ Being able to provide a pathway for boys and girls, men and women to play rugby league, stay active and have fun with their friends is what it’ s all about,” she said.
Andrew said the program means a great deal to the players and their families.
“ It gives them the opportunity to play rugby league with their mates and be part of a team environment,” he said.
Andrew became involved when his son was playing in a mainstream Hills Bulls team. Together with Kierilee, he approached the club about establishing a Try Time side. The committee supported the idea, and the program has continued to grow ever since.
Having been involved in rugby league for most of his life, Andrew said he was pleased to see how much the Try Time program has developed since its introduction more than a decade ago.
“ Kierilee puts in countless hours to make sure every player gets an opportunity to participate and enjoy the experience,” he said.
Several clubs travelled to Crestwood Oval for the gala day, including the Windsor Wolves, who entered teams for their first season in the competition, along with Wentworthville United, Brothers Rugby League Club, Minchinbury Jets and Leichhardt Wanderers.
Hills Bulls Club Secretary Rick Palin said supporting the program was an easy decision.
“ When Andrew approached the club about providing an opportunity for kids
and young adults to play rugby league at a level suited to their abilities, it just made sense,” Palin said.
“ The program is all about inclusion, participation and giving everyone the chance to enjoy rugby league.”
An estimated crowd of between 1,000 and 2,000 people attended throughout the day, creating a fantastic atmosphere around both fields.
The event was made possible by an army of volunteers, including canteen workers, referees, trainers and support staff. Representatives from the Parramatta Junior Rugby League were also on hand to support and promote the Try Time competition. One of the stars of the day was Wentworthville United player Tarek, who proudly spoke about his love of rugby league and the opportunity to play alongside his friends.
A passionate Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs supporter, Tarek names club legends Hazem El Masri and Josh Reynolds among his favourite players.
After scoring four tries during the gala day, Tarek was already looking ahead.
Hills Bulls Try Time rugby league team.
“ I want to score more tries and hopefully make it to the Bulldogs one day,” he said with a smile.
The Try Time All Abilities Gala Day was a wonderful celebration of rugby league’ s ability to bring people together. Hills Bulls Rugby League Club should be immensely proud of the event, while Andrew and Kierilee O’ Dell deserve enormous credit for their dedication to ensuring players of all abilities have the opportunity to experience the enjoyment, friendship and excitement that rugby league provides.
It was a fantastic day and a reminder that the greatest part of sport isn’ t always winning – it’ s making sure everyone gets the chance to play.
Australia’ s Strongest Arm 5 brings out the big guns
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If you’ ve never attended an arm-wrestling event before, one thing becomes obvious very quickly – everything is big. Big personalities, big muscles, big rivalries and even bigger egos.
Australia’ s Strongest Arm 5 delivered all of that and more when Sydney Spartans Arm Wrestling teamed up with event promoter Freddy Naggz Underworld Bill and Di Pacci Coffee to stage one of the biggest arm-wrestling events Australia has seen.
When Freddy gave me a call with an invitation to cover the event, there was no chance I was saying no.
Far from being a gathering of a few muscle-bound competitors,
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Josh Barker and Milo Larratt flexing after the matches. |
this was serious competition. Rivalries had been brewing online since the Over the Top event on the Gold Coast in 2025, and competitors from across Australia and around the world descended on Di Pacci Coffee to find out who would emerge as the strongest arm wrestler on the day.
One of the biggest drawcards was Canadian competitor Milo Larratt, son of world arm-wrestling champion Devon Larratt. Larratt travelled to Australia after engaging in plenty of pre-event trash talk directed at Australia’ s number one 70kg arm wrestler, Josh Barker.
The event featured an Under 85kg division and an Open category, with sponsors Brooklyn Donuts keeping spectators fuelled throughout the day. Crowd estimates ranged between 1,000 and 2,000 people, making it the largest arm-wrestling event I’ ve attended.
The Under 85kg division produced plenty of excitement, including the emergence of 15-year-old rising star Tyson, who surprised everyone with his strength, skill and determination. Tyson fought his way to the semi-finals before coming up against the
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experienced Ibrahim. Ibrahim would later defeat Phil in the final to claim the Under 85kg title.
The Open division was equally impressive, featuring competitors from around the globe, including a formidable arm wrestler from Mongolia. Harrison proved too strong for the field, winning the Open title and setting up a showdown with Ibrahim to determine the overall champion of the day. Harrison’ s superior wrist control proved decisive as he secured the victory.
However, many spectators had come to witness the highly anticipated clash between Josh Barker and Milo Larratt.
The rivalry had been building for months and the atmosphere was electric. The pair had fronted Australia’ s first professional arm-wrestling press conference the night before, where the verbal sparring was almost as fierce as the competition itself.
While Larratt arrived with plenty of confidence, Barker proudly represented Australia and delivered on the day, defeating the Canadian in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Standing beside the pair after the match, it was hard not to notice the sheer size of their
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Josh Barker gets the win over Milo Larratt in Australia’ s Strongest Arm 5.
Harrison and Ibrahim go head to head in the strongest arm of the day.
forearms and wrists – enough to make anyone who spends their days behind a desk feel a little inadequate.
The main event featured another international showdown, with New Zealand champion Maateiwarangi Heta-Morris, known as“ The Beast”, taking on Australia’ s Lachlan Adair. The powerful Kiwi proved too strong, sweeping Adair in three straight rounds and adding another chapter to a rivalry that stretches back to their first meeting in 2023.
Event promoter Freddy Naggz described Australia’ s Strongest Arm 5 as the best event yet and said it aligned with his long-term vision of seeing arm wrestling included in the Olympic Games, potentially as early as Brisbane 2032.
Based on the talent, passion and crowd support on display, the sport is continuing to grow at a remarkable pace. Arm wrestling is going gangbusters in Australia, and if events like this are any indication, the future looks incredibly strong.
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THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 133 // JULY 2026 29