HAPPY TIMES - The Waratahs Women’s Coach, Frank Ngungutau (left), congratulates players and supporters for the 2023 season.

2025 AGM RESULTS

A group of four members were elected to the Seniors Interim Committee at the 2025 AGM in early March.

Matt Dumbrill, Greg Taylor, Ken Beveridge and John Gibson comprise the committee which will manage operations for the 2025 season.

The AGM was informed that the club is in a healthy financial position but faces challenges in the coming year.

The club entered a women’s team in the Beach 5s competition on the Australia Day weekend and defended the title for the third consecutive year. However, the squad did not transform into a team for the local rugby competition. The club also will not be entering the men’s competition.

Committee member, Greg Taylor, told the meeting that the challenge for the Seniors Interim Committee was to continue operations or consider steps to be taken to ‘wind up’ the club.

He said much effort would be required to continue club operations and to re-energise player interest. Any ‘wind up’ decision would have to take into account the club’s Constitution in relation to rugby matters, distribution of existing funds and assets.

Greg advised an Extraordinary Annual General Meeting would most likely be scheduled to involve members in any proposed actions.

SENIOR TEAMS

The Waratahs Rugby Union Club will not be entering any teams in the Hunter Rugby Union’s Men’s or Women’s competitions in 2025 due to lack of player numbers.

The Waratahs entered a Women’s team in the Beach 5s tournament at Nobbys Beach on the Australia Day weekend in January and defeated Merewether Carlton 6-5 in the final..

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AWARD WINNERS

The Waratahs did not announce any award winners for 2024 with the latest winners being for the 2023 season.

Major awards presented were:

  • Ron Shoesmith Trophy - Most Improved Player : Tiana Roma

  • Churchills Award - Rookie of the Year :

    Kiara Naicoko

  • Ray Frost Award - Overall Best Forward :

    Theresa Mauli

  • John Hipwell Award - Overall Best Back :

    Jen Mauli

  • Kath Kerridge Award - Most Committed Player : Reanna Alexander

  • Most Consistent Player : Erami Durbin

  • Cyril Burke Award - Overall Best and Fairest: Oaklee Tighe

  • Scott McDonald Memorial Trophy - Overall Players’ Player : Oaklee Tighe

  • Marge Burke Club Person of the Year :

    Keith Powell

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Waratah Rugby Union Women's Newcastle

women’s TEAM: 2018-2023

The Waratahs Women's team performed well since being reformed in 2018.

The team was Hunter Rugby Union’s undefeated Minor and Major Women’s Premiers for the 2018-20 seasons. In 2021 it was named Minor Premiers in a shortened season.

The team was well ahead on the points table when the Hunter Rugby Union was forced to cancel the 2021 competition because of COVID-19.

The Women’s team experienced a mixed season in 2022 after losing some players while others were unavailable during the season. The team finished fourth in the competition but had to withdraw from the Elimination Final when weather conditions caused a postponement of matches and impacted on player requirements.

The 2023 season saw a mixed bag of results where four consecutive losses and a forfeit in the middle of the season dented any chances of a top four position. The Tahs had to settle for fifth position even though they were able to beat the top teams during the season.