Gulargambone's first big rugby union gala day on Saturday 16 March went off in great spirit for junior and senior players alike.

While the senior game between the Randwick Colts and a Western Plains Invitational was billed as the feature, the match up between Gulargambone Juniors and the Wellington Redbacks in the Under 12s put the younger players right in the spotlight.

"It was a great way to start the 2024 season with up to 220 western plains junior players turning up in the Under 8s, Under 10s, and Under 12s age groups," said NSW Rugby's Far West Development Officer, Janalee Conroy.

As well as Gulargambone, juniors travelled from Bourke, Carinda, Coonamble and Warren and 115 new players registered on the day.

"We started with a talk about making mates and how some of the kids you play footy with today will be friends for life," said Development Officer Mark Pitts.

"With the Castlereagh Connection performing it was a real party atmosphere.

"Everyone's talking about it."

The return of Wallaby Warwick Waugh to his home ground in Gular, and the presence of the Randwick players added an element of excitement to the day.

"There was great support from the Gular senior club and the team that played Randwick were majority Gular and Coonamble players," Mr Pitts said. "All the seniors interacted so well with the kids, it really reinforced the spirit of the day."

"Tallis McEwen came home from Sydney to help out and scored two tries."

Members of the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service and Rugby NSW with the Randwick Colts at Saturday’s Friendship in Rugby Day in Gulargambone.

The final score was Randwick 41 - Western Plains 19.

 "Lots of good sportsmanship was shown during this game and for a lot of the Randwick players it was their first time in the bush," Ms Conroy said.

"One of the boys told us "this is such an eye opening experience".

She said they were super excited to launch the partnership between NSW Rugby and CTG Aboriginal Health Service which aims to improve access to health services across the western region as well as making registration for rugby union events easier.

But the main focus was the game itself.

Hamish and Charlotte Cullen looked rugby ready in their junior Rams uniforms.

"In the Gular versus Wellington Under 12s, Gular played a beautiful flamboyant style of rugby," Mr Pitts said.

"They played Ella Brothers style, once they got going they were hard to contain and now they really know the game its great rugby."

At halftime the score was Gular 31 to Redbacks 0.

A later run saw Wellington gain some points to finish the game 36 - 10.

Next up for the Gulargambone Juniors will be a tussle against the 2023 Central West Premiers Mudgee's Glen Willow on 13 April.

"We have another gala day pencilled in for 5 May and with good notice we hope to get all western plains clubs there."