RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

Thursday, 13 August

There are no local Hunter Rugby Union matches this coming Saturday because of a bye weekend.

However, the final round of the Shute Shield will be played on Saturday with the Hunter Wildfires meeting the Western Suburbs Two Blues at Passmore Oval at 3.05am - note the change from No.2 Sportsground.

The Waratahs Old Boys will be meeting for lunch at the Wickham Park Hotel at midday before going to watch the match.

Hunter Rugby’s Finals Series starts the following weekend with all matches being played at No.2 Sportsground. The fixture list is:

MEN

Fixture for Saturday, 22 August at 2.55pm:

Qualifying Final - Merewether Carlton v University

Fixture for Sunday, 23 August at 3.35pm:

Elimination Final - Maitland v Wanderers

Fixture for Saturday, 29 August at 2.55pm:

Preliminary Final - teams to be advised

Fixture for Saturday, 5 September at 3.40pm:

Grand Final - teams to be advised

WOMEN

Fixture for Saturday, 22 August at 11am:

Qualifying Final - Merewether Carlton v Wanderers

Fixture for Sunday, 23 August at 11.40am:

Elimination Final - Maitland v Hamilton

Fixture for Saturday, 29 August at 11am:

Preliminary Final - teams to be advised

Fixture for Saturday, 5 September at 11.15am:

Grand Final - teams to be advised

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GREAT SPORTS LUNCHEON!

Saturday, 8 August

Many thanks to all those members and supporters who attendedd our 2026 Sports Luncheon at Hamilton North Bowling Club yesterday.

It was great day with the ‘full house’ sign reflecting the attraction of Guest Speaker in former Wallabies Captain, Nick Farr-Jones.

A lot of memories, a lot of old rugby mates meeting again (some for the first time since 1967) and a great time had by all.

A special thanks goes to our sponsors in Churchills Carpet Court, Thomas Allen Wines an Tooheys. A special thanks also to our supporters of the luncheon in The Icon Depot, Hellyers Road Distillery, Rugby Australia, NSW Waratahs, Hunter Wildfires and the venue in Hamilton North Bowling Club.

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END OF AN ERA

Thursday, 25 June

The Waratahs Juniors are taking formal steps to wind up operations after no nominations were received to form a new committee at the 2026 Annual General Meeting on Monday (22 June).

A small gathering of officials and club members attended the meeting and were informed that no junior teams were formed by The Waratahs Juniors in 2025 nor for the 2026 rugby season.

The meeting was told that the Juniors had not been successful with initiatives and mergers and have been steering young players to the Newcastle West ‘Wildcats’. Developing a new junior rugby union club in the growing western suburbs of Newcastle such as Fletcher, Cameron Park and Minmi would provide a legacy for The Waratahs Juniors.

A subsequent Special General Meeting after the AGM to discuss the future of the Juniors decided to take formal steps to wind up operations.

The Special General Meeting voted that funds held by the Juniors be transferred to The Waratahs Old Boys’ Association to be lodged in a special ’Juniors’ account. The aim of the transfer is to allow The Waratahs club to seek, assess and potentially assist any junior rugby developments or initiatives in the Hunter Region.

The meeting agreed to continue to honour a three-year foundation sponsorship by the Juniors of the Newcastle West club which expires in 2027.

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RESULTS FROM 2026 AGMs

Monday, 9 March

The 2026 Annual General Meetings of both the Interim Seniors Committee and the Old Boys’ Association have returned largely intact their existing committees

The AGMs were held before a small crowd of members and supporters at Hamilton North Bowling Club yesterday (8 March).

The Interim Seniors Committee returned Ken Beveridge, Matt Dumbrill, John Gibson and Greg Taylor as committee members while Mark Queenan was also elected to the committee.

The Old Boys’ Association returned Paul Paisley as President, Keith Powell as Secretary, John Gibson as newly established Membership Officer, and Julie and Lindsay Dumbrill and Mark Queenan as committee members.

Ken Beveridge stepped down after 10 years as Treasurer while Gary Rawle did not see re-election as a committee member. The Old Boys’ committee will now seek a new Treasurer and three committee members.

Greg Taylor, on behalf of the Interim Seniors Committee, said the committee continued to operate in ‘caretaker’ mode as it continues to gradually wind-up the club.

He said the committee was in a strong financial position. A motion to distribute about 40% of club funds will be further investigated after suggestions from the meeting.

The Old Boys’ Association’s President’s Report and Secretary’s Report are printed on the website under ‘About Our Club/Old Boys’ Association’.

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