Story courtesy of the Hunter River Times
hunterrivertimes.com.au/singleton-greyhounds-go-solar-in-season-2021

First year Singleton Greyhounds senior president Luke Gardner has welcomed the addition of a new solar panel system from sponsor MJJ Solar and Electrics.

Gardner, who takes over from Brad Schultz, admits the 16.82 system (with a 12.5KW inverter) will be of great benefit to the club going forward.

“This is going to save us a heap of money and they are already part of the Greyhounds family so we are very ecstatic that they are able to help us out,” Gardner told The Hunter River Times.

“When you look at the lighting, fridges and all the appliances it isn’t cheap, a bit over $2000 per quarter; so we are very excited about this deal.”

Club sponsor Matthew Jones, who starred in the Greyhounds’ 2006 and 2008 second grade premierships, said the donation a pleasure.

“We just wanted to support the community and give back to the community and the system is probably going to save them over $20,000 electricity costs over 4-5 years,” he concluded.

The Greyhounds will return to pre-season training across all grades this Thursday, January 7 from 6pm.

Courtesy of Hunter River Times
https://hunterrivertimes.com.au/hawkins-to-lead-singleton-in-2021/

Singleton Greyhounds club secretary Leigha Gardner has described the re-signing of club coach Jake Hawkins as a ‘no brainer’.
Almost a year has passed since Hawkins was unveiled as the first-grade coach for the Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 rugby league outfit ahead of the 2020 season.
Though he is yet to play in an official match, Gardner believes he has ticked all the remaining boxes on and off the field.
“He has done everything required for us this year,” she told The Hunter River Times.
“With the season not going ahead it was only fair to roll over and offer the same position again.”
Hawkins, a former Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks player, has gone on to to mentor the club’s under-14 line-up since the cancellation of senior rugby league.
“We think it is fantastic as we have been focussed on closing the gap between juniors and seniors,” she added.
“It not only shows his commitment to our club but to the whole Singleton football community.”
When asked about the re-signing, Hawkins continued to voice his optimism for the upcoming Group 21 season; just as he has done so for the past year.
“It is good to put pen to paper and get next year locked in,” Hawkins declared.
“Obviously, I was looking forward to this year but there were a few setbacks with Covid.
“Now we just focus on 2021 and (I can confirm that) training will commence in early December.”
Michael Kirkpatrick has also been locked in for another season as the club’s ladies’ league tag coach.
MEANWHILE the club will now accept applications are now open for a reserve grade coach as well an under-18 coach (applications close on September 25).

THE Singleton Greyhounds have put the safety of their players first - and withdrawn from the Newcastle and Hunter Community Rugby League competition in 2020.
But, they're not alone, with the Greta-Branxton Colts doing likewise in men's A grade, too.
Both Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 clubs were scheduled to contest the amateur format, which was due to kick off last weekend.
However, new concerns surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past week played a major role in the organisations' respective decisions.
"Yes, we officially pulled out, effective today (Thursday, July 23)," Singleton Greyhounds president Brad Schultz said.
"That's all our senior sides - firsts, reserves, under-18s and ladies league tag.
"It's regrettable but player welfare is paramount.
"On Tuesday (July 21), following the first round postponement, Newcastle and Hunter Community Rugby League wanted the clubs to consider a number of different options with Central Coast coming on board.
"From our perspective, we were worried about the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in NSW, especially Port Stephens and East Maitland.
"As well, Central Coast is fairly close to Sydney.
"It was too much of a risk to our community to continue on with everyone's health being our number one priority.
"We then put it to the players at training, on Tuesday and Wednesday, who ultimately made the call.
"I can't blame them; I was concerned, too.
"The Greyhounds don't want to place our players, their parents and grandparents at risk for a simple game of footy.
"With Central Coast taking part in the comp, logistics would have been an issue as well.
"We were so close yet so far from playing.
"Everyone worked their butts off to get where we are and made a lot of sacrifices, however 2020 is not to be."
Schultz said the Greyhounds would now turn their attention to 2021 - and Group 21 again.
"We'll catch up and have a drink [this weekend], then start planning for next season," he told the Argus.
"We'd like to thank our players, their families, sponsors and supporters for sticking with us this year.
"We promise we will be back bigger and better in 2021."

Originally posted on The Singleton Argus website
​https://www.singletonargus.com.au/story/6847510/greyhounds-colts-bow-out-of-competition/?cs=1660

By Hunter River Times -  Alex Tigani

​Singleton Greyhounds senior president Brad Schultz has commended his playing group following the club’s decision to withdraw from the Newcastle and Hunter Community Rugby League (NHCRL) competition in 2020.
“The decision has been made and that’s effective as of today (Thursday),” Schultz told The Hunter River Times on Thursday.
“When the Central Coast teams came into the fold, we put it out to our playing group and spoke about the increasing number of COVID-19 cases coming up from Sydney.
“To our players’ credit a total of 80% put their hand up and said they didn’t want to be the ones responsible to spread the disease back to Singleton and share it with their friends, families and grandparents.
“So we’re happy with our decision and now its onward to 2021 now.”
The club’s four senior grades were due to play off against Newcastle based clubs in a shortened season.
This was due to the cancellation of the Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 season on Sunday, June 14.
The Greyhounds, along with Greta Branxton and the Denman under-18 side, then ventured to the proposed competition which was set to commence last weekend.
However, the opening round was postponed.
Greyhounds players gathered for a light training session tonight before gathering for a barbeque while adhering to social distancing restrictions.

Orginally posted on Hunter River Times website 
https://hunterrivertimes.com.au/greyhounds-players-inspire-clubs-withdrawal/?fbclid=IwAR2-W4Sbr4v90CeaVf-Ip-MrSVSvm2Zkd82XZgD7S7qUvOITyivQfbM1O6c