PACKED HOUSE FOR SPORTS LUNCHEON

Players who have passed away and the family member who collected the NSW cap were (playing year order):

  • Cyril Burke BEM (half back) – 37 matches - 1946-58 - NSW Cap No.784 …. son, Bruce Burke

  • John (Jack) Marshall (wing) – 7 matches - 1948-49 - NSW Cap No. 827 …. son , Lindsay Marshall

  • David Bowtell (fullback) – 1 match - 1953 - NSW Cap No.887 … son, Jeff Bowtell

  • Ray Frost (lock) – 1 match - 1955 - NSW Cap No. 913 … Wife, Claire Frost

  • Bill Gahan (front row) - 4 matches - 1955-57 - NSW Cap No. 925 … son, James Gahan

  • Ken Chambers (second row) – 2 matches – 1957 - NSW Cap No. 933 … to be presented

  • John Hipwell OAM (half back) – 27 matches - 1968-81 - NSW Cap No. 1091 … sister, Marcia Kolasinski

Former club player, Dominic Vaughan (half back) – 4 matches – 1983-90 – NSW Cap No. 1243) accepted an invitation to attend the luncheon as he represented NSW from the Warringah club in Sydney having previously played with The Waratahs

A ‘founding father’ of The Waratahs Rugby Union Club in the 1940s, Ern Howarth, was also acknowledged for playing five matches for NSW in 1933-35 and being a NSW selector in 1939. His granddaughter, Amber Carson, and grandson, Michael Jones, accepted their grandfather’s cap.

NSW Women Players

Three women players who were members of The Waratahs and represented NSW have already been presented with their caps at a function in Sydney. They are: 

  • Katrina Barker (inside centre) – 31 matches* - 12 matches 2018-2020 when playing for The Waratahs – NSW Women’s Cap No. 122

  • Maya Stewart (right wing) – 24 matches* - 9 matches 2019-2020 when playing for The Waratahs – NSW Women’s Cap No.150

  • Kelly Sager (hooker) – 27 matches - represented NSW before playing for The Waratahs but represented Australia while playing for the club – NSW Women’s Cap No.66

(* Katrina and Maya are current NSW women’s squad members)

Guest Speaker

Peter Murphy, whose foundation was established in 2017 as the official charity and social impact program of the NSW Rugby Union, said it was highly unusual to see so many NSW representatives come from the one club.

“The Waratahs, and indeed Newcastle and the Hunter Region, should be proud to see the above number of players from a local club represent their State over such a long period,” said Peter.

“We know that Cyril Burke, Declan Curran, Mike Fitzgerald, Ron Harvey, John Hipwell, Peter Horton, Jack Marshall, Dominic Vaughan, Maya Stewart and Kelly Sager gained senior Australian honours – the deeds of Cyril and John having just been recognised by their induction into the NSW Rugby Hall of Fame which has been established as part of our NSW Rugby’s 150th Anniversary.”

“I am honoured to be Guest Speaker at the Sports Luncheon and present the caps. It is a popular event and it is pleasing to see NSW Rugby and The Waratahs work together as the State body organises the presentation of about 1,000 caps to past and present NSW players during the 150th Anniversary celebrations.”

Peter added that NSW Rugby has announced the formation of a Cap Alumni as a special initiative to honour NSW’s great rugby players and pay tribute to past alumni who missed on their debutant caps during their playing careers.

‘Anniversary’ Grand Final Teams

Paul Paisley said the Sports Luncheon also celebrated the ‘anniversary’ of five of The Waratahs teams that played in past Grand Finals, the teams being:

  • 40th anniversary - 1984 Reserve Grade Grand Final (Runners-Up)

  • 40th anniversary - 1984 Third Grade Grand Final (Runners-Up)

  • 50th anniversary - 1974 Third Grade Grand Final (Joint Major Premiers)

  • 60th anniversary - 1964 Reserve Grade Grand Final (Runners Up/Minor Premiers)

  • 60th anniversary - 1964 Third Grade Grand Final (Major Premiers) 

“Many of our players from the five teams as well as members of the Old Boys’ Association attended the luncheon which is the social highlight of The Waratahs season,” said Paul.

Sponsors and supports of the function include Churchills Carpet Court, Hamilton North Bowling Club, Thomas Allen Wines, Tooheys, NSW Rugby Union, Australian Rugby Union and ACT Brumbies Rugby Union.

In the following photo …

Enjoying themselves at The Waratahs Rugby Union Club’s 2024 Sports Luncheon and NSW Rugby Cap Presentation are

Back row – Mike Fitzgerald (NSW Cap No.1161), Declan Curran (NSW Cap No. 1209) Lindsay Marshal (son of John (Jack) Marshall NSW Cap No. 827), Michael Jones and Amber Carson (grandson and granddaughter of Ern Howarth NSW Cap No. 670) and James Gahan (son of Bill Gahan NSW Cap No. 925).

Front Row – Jeff Bowtell (son of David Bowtell NSW Cap No.887), Dominic Vaughan (NSW Cap No.1243), Peter Murphy (NSW Positive Rugby Foundation), Ron Harvey (NSW Cap.No 907, Marcia Kolasinski (sister of John Hipwell NSW Cap No.1091), Claire Frost (wife of Ray Frost NSW Cap No.913) and Bruce Burke (son of Cyril Burke NSW Cap No.784).

THREE TAHS IN NSW HALL OF FAME

Three former players from The Waratahs have been included in the new NSW Rugby’s Hall of Fame which was announced at the NSW Waratahs 2024 Season Awards Night last Thursday night.

Our three inductees are:

  • Cyril Burke        — 1946-1958     37 caps

  • John Hipwell    — 1968-1981     27 caps

  • Kelly Slager      — 1996

In total, 47 male inductees and 15 female inductees were announced at the function last. A full list is available by logging onto www.waratahs.rugby/news

NSW Rugby said that throughout the storied 150-year history of Rugby Union in NSW there was an abundance of legendary names who have donned the famous cambridge blue Waratahs jersey.

In relation to male inductees, a NSW Rugby selection sub-committee agreed that the ‘Greatest Team Ever’ that was announced in 1999 for the NSW Rugby Union’s 125th anniversary be included as inductees. It was also decided that all 13 Waratahs who are in the Wallabies Hall of Fame (Cyril and John are in this number) be included as inductees.

In reference to women inductees, it was noted that there was no NSW Waratahs Women’s team selected between 2002 and 2017.  Instead, during the period Sydney and Country participated at National Championships in their own right. 

This was due to the strength of these respective teams and in turn the lack of strength of other State teams.  As such there are several players, who through no fault of their own, are listed as inductees but never had the opportunity to represent the Waratahs (only Sydney/Country and then the Wallaroos).

2024 SPORT LUNCHEON - Friday, 2 August

More Details ….. 

Old Boys President, Paul Paisley, said the committee had gone through the history books and found two teams that are celebrating an ‘anniversary’ Grand Final victory from 1964 and from 1974.

“The Third Grade side from 1964 will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of their Grand Final when they beat Boolaroo,” said Paul.

“Coincidentally, the Third Grade side from 1974 will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of being Joint Major Premiers after drawing 3-all with Wanderers. Long standing club supporter, Terry Petersen, was a member of the 1964 team but sadly most of the remaining players have passed away in the intervening years. The team consisted of:

Peter Cofteros, Kevin Morante, Terry Petersen, Peter Charlton, Dave Cowan, Dennis Morgan, Phil Sergeant, Peter Hennessey, Bill Badior, Ken Virtue, Clem Pascoe, Peter Saunders, Bill Baker, Jim Hines, Clem Ledden, Ron Howell, Gordon Lucas, P.Goodwin; Coach - Brian Quirk; Manager - Brian Daley.

“We are trying to contact players from the 1974 team and hopefully we can attract quite a few to come along in August. The team squad was:

Phil Hain, Doug Hingst, John Stevenson, Mick Enderby, Geoff Kloster, Dave Gibbs, Buzz Bower, John Brown (captain/coach), D.Young, G.McGregor, N.Ellaway, Dave Bower, Peter  Grivas, Greg Mulhearn, Reg Pirini, Kevin Hines, Bill Baker, Malcolm Symes, Ken Beveridge, Ken Graham, Bruce Pickering, Bill Adam; Coach - John Brown;  Managers - Ron Nightingale and Jim Nickerson.

“We also have a few teams that played in Grand Finals in the designated ‘anniversary years’ we are celebrating but unfortunately lost on the day,” said Paul.

The teams include the 1964 Reserves who went down 12-6 to Stockton (Stockton’s first major premiership since 1932); and the 1984 Reserves and Thirds which both lost their Grand Finals – the Reserves losing to Maitland while the Thirds, who were Minor Premiers, went down to Wanderers.

The Old Boys committee hopes the Sports Luncheon has whetted the appetite of members to catch up with some old Rugby mates. An auction, raffle, great memories and camaraderie are all part of the day!

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JUNIORS IN 2024

The Waratahs Junior Rugby Club in 2024 is competing in a number of age groups following an alliance and mergers with other clubs prior to the start of the season in mid April.. 

An alliance with Lake Macquarie Juniors and Ironbark Juniors has resulted in the clubs fielding Under 8s, Under 10s and Under 12s in the 2024 season. The teams train on Tuesday at Walters Park 5-6pm and on Wednesday at Waratah Oval 5-6pm – they also have the option of training at Walters Park on Thursdays 5-6pm and an invitation is open to all young players interested in playing rugby to join a team.

 The Juniors also have merged with Ironbark to field an Under 13 Girls team which will play in a competition conducted on Friday nights starting early May. Training will be on Wednesday nights 5-6pm at Waratah Oval. 

In a further development, The club Tahs have merged with Lake Macquarie to field an Under 15 Girls team which will play in the competition conducted on Friday evenings. The competition also kicks off early May and traininging is each Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 6.30pm at Walters Park and on Wednesdays from 5-6pm at Waratah Oval.

Teeny Tiny Tahs (2 to 5-year-olds - must be accompanied by parent/adult) and Tiny Tahs (5 to 7-year-olds) will play at Waratah Oval on Saturday mornings at 9.30am and will begin playing on 15 June (followed by 22 & 29 June, 6 July before a school holiday break – then it’s 27 July followed by 3, 10, 17 August).

.The Tahs also field teams in the Hunter Junior Rugby Union’s Spring 7s competition when the winter season finishes. The club in 2023 fielded Under 13 and Under 15 teams in both Girls and Boys divisions.

As for the coming 2024 season, check with the club about Registration Fees.

Don’t forget to use your Active Kids Voucher!

Registration includes shorts, socks, headgear, training shirt, water bottle, all insurance and association fees and much more throughout the season. We consider this great value for families.

Full details about joining the new team can be obtained by:

·       Email: thewaratahsjuniorrugbyunion@gmail.com

·      Facebook: The Waratahs Junior Rugby Club

·       Website: www.thewaratahsrugbyunionclub.com

JUNIORS HISTORY 1940-2022

The Waratahs Junior Rugby Union Committee has compiled a fascinating brief history of its 82 years - from when a team of Under 6st 7lb boys ran onto the field in 1940 up until the end of the 2022 season.

The research contains the names of 11 Australian junior representative players, 28 NSW representatives and 86 NSW Country players. There also is a list of people who have coached, managed or trained our junior teams - is you name in the list?

Click onto Juniors on the main menu and scroll down to ‘Brief History 1940-2022’ for a walk back into the club’s junior years!