By now you would have heard the chart topping hit Tug, Tug, Tug Til’ 2032 and probably found yourself singing it at an inopportune moment.
But it’s time to meet the team from Tuggeranong behind the movement that is pulling on the nation’s heartstrings as they try to get the Tug of War back on the big stage, as Neds 20 for 20 investigative reporter Megan-Ann Sparkman discovers.
The Tuggas, Australia’s Tug of War team is lead by captain Jack Reid, is trio that has set themselves the monstrous task of getting their pet event back where they feel it belongs.
Reid is a lifelong Tugger, turning down all sorts of offers, including a lucrative contract with the National Rounders League, to pursue his true passion, “I just caught the tug-bug.”
It has not been without controversy however, with knotman Liam Smith cementing his reputation as the bad-boy of the sport having been caught wearing gloves during a tour of South Africa.
Since then he has set about making amends in the public eye with his new trademark phrase, “I want to be a part of pulling the country back together.”
With his raw talent, Smith has always been able to get away with a little bit more when on the tug and if he can stay clean, he could go down as one of the sport’s all time greats.
Rounding out the group is anchorman Dylan Brereton, who has been wrenched back into the team after suffering what was initially thought to be a career ending injury.
However once the rope burn cleared, it was replaced by a number hand numbing callouses, brought about by years of hard yanking on the base of the rope and Brereton is ready for one last heave.
“They say it’s a young man’s sport but I’m ready to show the world I’ve got one last tug left in me.”
Brereton is a true traditionalist, eschewing the new-age methods of pre-tug care such as moisturiser, hand soap and even shampoo to ensure a truly natural feel for the rope.
Part of the push to reinstate the Tug of War is the push for unique events and these three men feel like their sport fits the bill far more than some of the other recent inclusions.
“If skateboarding and break dancing can make it in, surely Tug of War can!” exclaimed Smith.
Their campaign is centred around the belief that no group of people are better at tugging than young Australian adults and if they can all come together it will lead to showers of gold for Australia.
“It’s been over a century since we’ve had a chance to show Australia is a nation of tugging experts and we all feel this inner pull to show the world what we can do.” said Smith.
Brereton backed up his teammate’s claim with a history lesson “From 1900 to 1920 it was an integral part of the program.” before reciting every single participant from those events and their subsequent endorsement deals with local companies.
Now they are teaming up with legendary songwriter Tony Mojo to not only conquer the rope, but also dominate the charts.
With the song Tug, Tug, Tug til’ 2032 dominating the airwaves, the charts and streaming services, you will be singing it all the way to bed and dreaming of the Tuggas pulling their way to gold.