Saturday, 16th August 2025 – Bellevue Oval, Armidale

New England Nomads 0.2 (2) def. by Tamworth Swans 25.22 (172)

After four weeks without a game – and only our second match in seven weeks – the Nomads returned to the field under tough circumstances. With rain, hail, and snow keeping us to indoor training only, the lack of match fitness showed and we played like a side that simply needed the run.

While the scoreboard wasn’t in our favour, the game provided much-needed minutes in the legs and a chance to reset as we push towards the business end of the season.

It’s games like these that prove to the coach that the pulse of the New England Nomads is alive and well. The love of the game in Armidale remains strong, and I would like to personally thank the heart-and-soul players who continue to give their all. Their commitment is the foundation of our pure team spirit and the culture we are building upon for years to come.

Players’ player: Aidan Barry
Captain’s Award: Lockie Haycock
Coach’s Award: Simon Li
Meehan’s Plumbing Award: Don Haslett
President’s Award: Oskar Brookshaw

Unfortunately, with the game falling right in the middle of the mid-semester break, both the men’s and women’s teams forfeited their games against the Inverell Saints.

The game on the 2nd of August against Inverell was cancelled thanks to unprecedented snow fall.

While in the Centre of the Universe, Uralla, some snow fell too!

The Nomads travelled to Wolsely Oval in Gunnedah on June 19 with the hope of another victory. Despite being severely undermanned with only 16 players — and at times just 14 due to injuries— the Nomads delivered a gritty and courageous performance under unrelenting Gunnedah heat, which somehow managed to rival an Armidale summer. Final scores were Gunnedah – 18.19.127 def NE Nomads – 5.12.42. For the Nomads James Walters kicked 2, while Johnathan Frost, Hunter Greene and John Paul Canavan kicked one apiece. Best players were Cotter Litchfield, John-Paul Canavan, Bobby Boyd, Felix Weston, Hunter Greene and Zach Goldfinch.

Unfortunately the Women’s team forfeited due to a lack of numbers. More »

Nomads Women lost to the Tamworth Swans 12.5.77 to 1.1. The game was called off at three quarter time due to a number of injuries. The goal scorer was Molly Soencer, Best players were Lucy Petrie, Lily Macpherson, Phoebe Hewetson, Isabella Pallot, Ukaipo Mann, Zoe McDowell. Despite the score, the skills by our women are impressive – and improving markedly – and it is just wonderful to have a team on the park again.

Below is coach Leighton “Hughie” Smith’s report.

Women’s Coach’s Report
What a fantastic turnout in Tamworth with a strong squad of 11 ladies making the trip to take on the Swannies. Led by our captain Molly Spencer, the team ran out onto the field on what turned out for be a beautiful day for footy.

Whole the result didn’t fall our way, the opportunity to share teammates with the Swans provided valuable insights into their skills and experience—something our newer players really appreciated and learned a lot from. More »