In 2010, the Sunshine Coast Stingrays ran onto the main field at Ballymore Stadium to face off against UQ in the Queensland Premier Rugby grand final. The Rays fell 8 points short going down 19-11 in front of a stack of local supporters who made the trip down the Bruce Highway. Unfortunately, 3 years later the Stingrays bowed out of the state league competition.
Playing in that 2010 Queensland Premier Rugby grand final was David Wellington; now assisting the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby competition as their team physio.
Ben Radmall was also part of that history making squad; now helping grow the game of rugby on the Sunshine Coast as coach of the Maroochydore Swans A-Grade squad.
Playing hooker that day was Ryan Freney; now playing dress ups and making videos on social media with 2 other former Stingrays players, Johnny Brown and Sione Helu, from the Pig Athletic Club.
Following their time at the Stingrays they all continued onto play semi-professional rugby both abroad and domestically, before being reunited by touring rugby in Asia forming PAC Rugby. Due to Covid-19 restricting travel abroad for rugby tours, the idea of PACFEST was forged with the objective to bring Asian tour vibes to Australia.
So on the 20th of February, the Pig Athletic Club are transforming Caloundra Rugby Union Club into the ultimate social rugby 10s festival. Mens and Womens teams will battle it out for PACFEST Championship glory followed by the main event, the PACFEST After Party.
Join these former Stingrays at the inaugural PACFEST 10s and After Party. First game kicks off at 8am with the After Party teeing off from 5pm.