AUSTRALIAN RUGBY SHIELD

Monday, 6 October

A total of 14 teams contested the Australian Rugby Shield at No.2 Sportsground during the weekend.

Results were:

Men’s Grand Final - Queensland Country Heelers 39 d NSW Country Cockatoos 31

Hunter Wildfires were beaten 55-33 by NSW Subbies for third place

Women’s Grand Final - Sydney 19 d ACT/Southern NSW Kestrels 17

Hosted by Hunter Rugby, teams included QLD Country, NSW Country, QLD Suburban, NSW Suburban, ACT and Southern NSW, Tasmania, South Australia, Defence Forces and Hunter Wildfires.

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OUR HISTORY OVER 85 YEARS

Tuesday, 23 September

The Waratahs Rugby Union Club is celebrating its 85th Anniversary in 2025 and we have been looking at various parts of the club’s history - it’s now time to look at our First Grade coaches…..

Men

• 2022             Todd McDean appointed but no men’s team formed

• 2021               Kal Donnelly and Todd McDean (Divisional Competition)

• 2018-20          Jono Reynolds (Divisional Competition)

• 2017                Carl Manu

• 2015-16           Matthew Chidgey and Doug Harlem

• 2014                Hayden Pedersen

• 2013               Hayden Pedersen & Andy Grey

• 2012                Greg Doolan

• 2011                Lolu Mohu Aloisio Sefo

• 2010                Tim Chidgey and Aloisio Selfo

• 2009               Lolo Mohu and Aloisio Sefo

• 2003-08         Tim Chidgey

• 1998-2002     Matthew Chidgey

• 1997                Kobus Hattingh

• 1993-96          Paul Burke

• 1992               David Porter

• 1990-91          Garry Harrison

• 1989               Ken Grieve and Tony Evans

• 1987-88          Ken Grieve

• 1984-86          Tony Evans

• 1982-83          Paul Mowbray

• 1981                Rowan Burgess (Captain/Coach)

• 1980               Ray Piefke

• 1979                Ray Piefke

• 1978                Michael Fitzgerald

• 1977                Paul Mowbray

• 1976                Paul Mowbray

• 1975                Peter Corcoran

• 1974                Les Powell

• 1967-73           Cyril Burke

• 1966                Jack Sippe

• 1960-65           Ray Frost

• 1958-59           Ron Harvey

• 1956-57          Cyril Burke

• 1955               Ray Frost

• 1954               Cyril Burke

• 1953                Ray Frost

• 1952                Ern Howarth

• 1951                Cyril Burke

• 1946-50           Ern Howarth

Women

•  2024                Frank Ngungutau (Beach 5s and Summer 7s)

• 2023                Frank Ngungutau and Loni Vikilani

• 2022                Mitch Coppock

• 2020-21           Andrew Bowden

• 2019                Loni Vikilani

• 2018                Loni Vikilani and Shaun Perrett

• (No Women’s teams between 2000 and 2017 – reformed for 2018 season)

• 1998-99           Barry Heins

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GRAND FINAL RUGBY

Hunter Rugby Union played its Grand Finals at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday, 13 September. Results were:

• Premier 1: Maitland 25 d Merewether Carlton 17

• Premier 2: Maitland 21 d Merewether Carlton 16

• Premier 3: Southern Beaches 33 d University 26

• Women’s: Hamilton 18 d Wanderers 10

• Suburban: Scone Brumbies 26 d Singleton Red 17

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GREAT SPORTS LUNCHEON!

Saturday, 9 August

The Waratahs Old Boys’ Association thank everyone who attended a very social 2025 Sports Luncheon yesterday (8 August).

The ‘full house’ sign went up early last week and former Wallabies international, Matt Burke, was a great Guest Speaker.

Matt presented a terrific overview of his rugby experiences and took questions from the floor before receiving a standing ovation from many who enjoyed the luncheon.

The Waratahs appreciate luncheon sponsors in Churchills Carpet Court, Thomas Allen Wines and Tooheys and also support from Rugby Australia, NSW Waratahs, Hellyers Road Distillery and the venue, Hamilton North Bowling Club.

A great club function as The Waratahs celebrate 85 years of rugby - 1940 to 2025!

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OUR 85th ANNIVERSARY!

July, 2025

As part of our 85th anniversary in 2025 we are publishing some historical facts about the club.

We have previously published the names of players who played more than 300, 200 or 100 matches for The Tahs. We now move on to our list of Life Members ….

The five original Life Members - Cyril Burke* BEM, Richard (Pop) Dann*, Arthur Elvin*, Ray Frost* and Ern Howarth* - were inducted in 1955. Subsequent inductees have been:

1950s - Bert McGregor* 1956; 1960s - Dr Gordon Kerridge* 1965, Enid Quirk* 1968, Audrey Howarth* 1968, Jim Gladys* 1969; 1970s - Jess Symes* 1970, Jane McGregor* 1970, Ian (John) Symes* 1970, George Bear* 1970, Ron Howell* 1974, Ken Chambers* 1974, John Innes* 1974,  John Hipwell OAM* 1974, Bill Chidgey* 1974, Larry Short* 1975, Melva Masters* 1976, Jim Nickerson* 1976, Marie Dick* 1979, Marge Burke* 1979.

1980s - Roger Bryan* 1982, Peter Giles* 1984; 1990s - Paul Murphy OAM 1995, Bryan Tolhurst* 1996; 2000s - John Brown 2009; 2010s - Denis Hurst 2011, David Bowtell 2012*, Matthew Chidgey 2014, Mark Queenan 2014, Ken Grieve 2017, Keith Powell 2018; 2020s - Gregory Taylor 2021.          

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Our CLub

The Waratahs Rugby Union Club play home matches at Waratah Oval.

VISION STATEMENT:

Building an inspiring club around people and culture

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