Cool inititaive by the folk mining & QRU.

Xstrata Coal will take on mining rivals BMA in their annual rugby charity match in central Queensland this Saturday, September 12, to help raise funds for the Lifehouse cancer unit.

The mining company showdown is part of a full day’s rugby entertainment being hosted by the town of Tieri, which will also feature a representative match between the Queensland Outback Barbarians and Queensland Suburban, who will play a return match in Brisbane on September 26 as part of the Festival of Rugby at Ballymore.

“This year’s rugby charity day promises to be a great event for local families to be involved with and we are looking forward to having professional players from the past and present on field sharing their skills and running coaching clinics for younger players,” said Xstrata Coal General Manager Emerald Region, David Stone.

“As an added incentive for our local team, we have committed to provide a further $5,000 to help support the important work of the Lifehouse cancer unit if Xstrata Coal can defeat BMA and reclaim some lost pride from last year’s match.”

Partnering with Queensland Rugby for three years through its Corporate Social Involvement program, Xstrata Coal is helping to establish new school-based team sports programs and rugby competitions for young people across the central highlands region.

As part of the day’s event, central highlands school teams will challenge other regional schools and a Walla rugby match for younger kids will be open to anyone one who turns up on the day.

Through its partnership initiative, Queensland Rugby is sending QR Reds players Ben Lucas and Mark McLinden, along with Reds General Manager and former Wallaby Daniel Herbert to Tieri to assist with the kids’ games and coaching clinics.