RUGBY LEAGUE
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AFTER 12 months off the airwaves the most recognisable voice in Hastings sporting circles will be back on the sideline this weekend.
Chuck Murray sat out last season due to a medical condition, although now he can't wait to sit at his table and return to doing what he does best.
But this season it will be done a little differently with Murray streaming games for his new Footy Focus program online and he said he's looking forward to it.
"Streaming reaches people in a way that those who used to live in the area and had to move away can still keep in touch with their local footy competition," he said.
"Online radio is probably the way of the future because if you ask some of the younger generation what a transistor radio is, they'd have no idea what it was."
He doesn't see his return as anything other than getting back to doing what he enjoys.
"I don't think it's a case of coming out of retirement; I took a back seat last year for medical reasons," he said.
Murray was matter-of-fact when asked what the medical reasons were which prevented him from calling the 2015 Hastings League season.
"I'm 60 now and I was told I'd make 60 but not 70 and now it's up to me whether I can lose weight or not. I've also got to manage my diabetes better because if I lose my eyesight I won't be able to call," he said.
"I crossed a barrier last year that I said I never would, so now it's up to me to fix it."
With this year marking the 20th anniversary of the Hastings League's inception Murray said there was no alternative other than to call the games to mark the special season, starting with this weekend's clash at Smithtown between Lower Macleay and Comboyne.
"The thing with Hastings League is that it's pure, you don't usually get any other competitions quite like it," he said.
"And I enjoy doing what I do, I don't see myself as anything special, I just do what I do."
To listen to Lower Macleay and Comboyne from Smithtown on Saturday, visit www.footyfocus.org and follow the links. A gofundme account has also been created to cover the setting up costs.
