Jack Fletcher GM Memorial Tug-O-War
Bungendore Show 25 October 2026
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: 
The Fletcher Family and Bungendore Mitre 10
If your Sporting, Social or Friends group is looking for a challenge and some exercise we recommend the Jack Fletcher GM Memorial Tug-O-War (TOW) at the Community Bank Bungendore Show in 2026.
This event commemorates the life and community service of Lt COL Jack Fletcher GM. Jack served 31 years in the Army, the last eight in the Reserves. After leaving the Army, he became Chief Superintendent in the Commonwealth Police – the forerunner to the Australian Federal Police.
Jack settled in Bungendore and was a long time member of the Bungendore Show Society until his passing in November 2008. His widow, Margaret, approached the Bungendore Show Society with a proposal to run a tug-o-war competition at the 2009 Bungendore Show as a memorial to Jack.
The Tug-of-War Competition is a wonderful opportunity for community groups, sporting groups or groups of friends to participate in celebrating Jack’s life and in competing for the cash prize. The competition includes men’s and women’s (over 18’s) event and a juniors (under 18) competition also.
Prizes
Thanks to the generous support of the Fletcher Family and Bungendore Mitre10, the prize money for the winner of the final best of three pull-offs in each of the Competition Groups in 2026 will be as follows:
Juniors: $100
Women: $300
Men: $300
In the spirit of the event, the Prize Money should be donated to a local charity or community cause of the winner’s choice.
Entry
Enter the Jack Fletcher GM Memorial Tug-o-War by filling out the registration form and emailing it to:
entertainment@bungendoreshow.com.au
Each team must also fill out a bulk waiver prior to competing.
**Please note all team members must purchase entry tickets to the Show**
Tug-of-War COMPETITION REGULATIONS
- Team Composition
- 7 people per team (6 plus the anchorman)
- Womens team
- Mens team
- Junior teams can be mixed
- Age Groups
- “17 & Under” and “18 & Over” divisions
- Additional age groups may be added on the day depending on entries
- Team Captain
- Each team must nominate one captain
- Captains participate in the coin toss to determine direction of pull
- Safety Requirements
- All competitors must wear safe, enclosed footwear
- No studs or spikes allowed – disqualification may apply
- Gloves may be worn (optional)
- Punctuality
- All teams must be ready 15 minutes prior to start time
- Conduct During the Pull
- All team members must remain on their feet
- No persistent hands on the ground, except the anchorman (one hand allowed)
- Match Procedure
- Teams who have not signed the waiver previously, must meet with the Judge before the competition to sign one for their team
- Parents or carers must sign the waiver on behalf of junior team members
- Lots drawn to determine first-round match-ups
- Coin toss with captains determines first direction of pull (best out of three) and teams will change ends after each pull.
- Rope Markings & Setup
- Rope marked at centre, 3m, and 5m points
- Rope placed with centre mark aligned to ground marker
- Teams line up facing each other, first member at the 5m mark
- Start Commands
- Judge gives command:
“Pick up the rope” →Both teams will pick up the rope and adjust their positions without straining the rope.
“Take the strain” →Teams then strain the rope and may be required by the coordinator to move forward or back to position the centre mark on the rope in line with the ground marker.
Judge checks teams are balanced →
“Pull!” →Once the command Pull has been given and the competition has commenced at no time may additional people join a side, nor can people pulling be replaced by someone else.
- Infringements & Warnings
- Two warnings for rule breaches or misconduct
- Third offence = disqualification
- Winning the Pull
- A team wins when their 3m rope mark crosses the centre line on the ground
- Final Decision The judge’s decision is final