A MESSAGE FROM THE CLUB
As the regular season draws to a close, excitement is building across the club, with several senior and junior teams preparing for finals. Congratulations also go to our three junior players selected to represent NSW Country—an outstanding achievement! We also enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at No. 2 Sportsground for our annual Ladies Day, celebrating the many women who make our Wanderers community so special. Best of luck to all our teams as finals get underway—go the Two Blues!
Here’s a wrap on what’s been happening over July and early August.
2026 LADIES DAY
On Saturday 25 July, the club celebrated our annual Ladies Day event. It was an incredible day celebrating the amazing women of Wanderers!
The sun was shining, the atmosphere was electric, and it was wonderful to see so many women come together to celebrate, share laughs, catch up with old friends, and make plenty of new ones. The drinks were flowing, the food was absolutely amazing, and the surprise cheeseburger at the end of the day was the perfect way to finish off an unforgettable event!
While the day was filled with fun and friendship, it was also a chance to honour someone very special. We proudly celebrated the life of our dear Claire, whose memory continues to bring our community together. Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone who attended, we were able to raise funds for the Epilepsy Foundation, supporting an important cause that was close to our hearts.
One of the most touching moments of the day was presenting Claire’s family with a Wanderers jersey in her honour—a small token of our love, respect, and the lasting impact she had on our club and everyone who knew her.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, donated, helped organise the day, and made it such a success, in particular our drinks sponsor Nicholas Crampton from Fourth Wave Wine (pictured below). Events like this remind us that Wanderers is so much more than a club—it’s a family.
Here’s to the friendships, the memories, and the incredible women who make Wanderers such a special place.
2027 WANDERERS COACHING STAFF APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN 
Wanderers Rugby Football Club is seeking applications for the following team staff positions for the 2027 season:
- Coach
- Assistant Coach
- Trainer
- Manager
Applications are invited for:
- XVs Juniors — U15, U16 and U18
- Senior Mens teams
- Senior Women
Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 21 August 2026.Complete the 2027 Team Staff Nomination HERE.
For further information, please contact Vladimir Savovski, Vice President – Wanderers RFC Seniors: vladimir.savovski@wanderersrugby.com.au or 0421 981 970
Help shape the future of Wanderers Rugby in 2027!
Premier 1
COACH – LUKE SHERWOOD
With one round remaining in the regular season, the 1st Grade squad is well placed as we prepare for the finals series.
While we’ve faced a few setbacks throughout the season, including some potential season-ending injuries, the group’s resilience has been outstanding. Despite recent narrow losses to Maitland and Uni after leading both matches, the team responded in the best possible way with a terrific win over our arch rivals and competition leaders, Merewether Carlton. That result secured our place in the finals and provided a real confidence boost at the perfect time of the season.
In another opportunity to build on recent form, we took out the final round of the season against the Hawks to clinch a place in the finals! It was a hard-fought game with both teams exchanging the lead several times but our boys came home strong with the win.
The squad has worked hard all season, and we’re looking forward to the exciting challenge that lies ahead as we chase success in finals.
Premier 2
COACH – ADAM LEWIS
As we head into the semifinals, I’m proud of the way this group has approached the regular season. We’ve played some very good rugby and put ourselves in a strong position, although there have also been two particularly disappointing losses that reminded us of the standards we need to maintain. Those games have given us valuable lessons, and our focus is now firmly on producing our best football when it matters most.
A huge thank you to Dave Tynan, whose tactical input and game planning have been outstanding throughout the season. His knowledge and preparation have added another dimension to our performances.
We’ve also had to overcome the loss of several key players through injury. While that’s been challenging, it’s been fantastic to see players stepping up from Third Grade and making genuine contributions. Their attitude and willingness to embrace the opportunity have been a real strength of our squad.
Our First Grade coaching staff, Luke Sherwood, Andy Tulsa and Cam Murphy, have done an exceptional job of developing skills and standards across the entire playing group. That whole-club approach has benefited every grade and created opportunities for players to continue improving.
I’d also like to acknowledge Shane Goldie. We’ve worked closely throughout the season to balance player movement between Second and Third Grade, ensuring players receive the best opportunities to develop while keeping both teams competitive. That collaboration has been invaluable.
Within our own squad, the leadership group has continued to set high standards. Their commitment to training, accountability and culture has helped create an environment where players challenge one another to improve.
The regular season has given us a solid foundation, but finals football demands another level. We’ll need to tighten up our discipline, execution and attention to detail if we’re to achieve what this group is capable of.
We’re excited for the challenge ahead and look forward to representing the club with pride over the coming weeks. Bring on the semifinals.
Premier 3
COACH – SHANE GOLDTHORPE
After disappointing performance against University in June P3’s bounced back in style with a well-earned victory over a gallant Hawks side, while also celebrating George Ashworth’s 250th game for the club.
The win moved us into third place on the ladder, and with our defence conceding an average of just 10 points per game, we were giving ourselves every opportunity to keep climbing.
Our young forward pack was outstanding once again, with Vlad and Manny doing their best to lift the average age considerably! George provided great leadership to our young halves, Gus and Finn, who controlled the game well and consistently gave our backs quality ball, leading to some excellent passages of attacking rugby.
Across July we took a tough loss to Maitland, reset the following week and came back strong with wins against Southern Beaches and University. We unfortunately weren’t strong enough against Merewether in Round 14, and went down to the Hawks in the final round of the normal season. Despite the end of season losses, we have qualified for the finals, and are now digging deep in preparation for the semi-finals.
Overall, the mighty P3’s are committed to playing an attractive brand of rugby built around strong ball retention, quick ball movement, and backing ourselves to play. Good things are brewing with this young side, so do yourself a favour and get down and to watch us in action each weekend. We’d love your support—and we don’t think you’ll regret it!
Wanderers Women
COACH – SHAN O’HARA
July was a memorable month for our women’s team, both on and off the field. We proudly celebrated Ladies Day, with all proceeds from our raffle donated to Epilepsy Australia in support of a cause close to our hearts.
On the field, our second-last game of the regular season was a special one as we celebrated Steph Klimovitch’s 100th game in club colours. The milestone was made even sweeter with a convincing team victory. In our final round against Carlton Merewether, the girls battled hard but fell short.
Heading into finals, confidence is building, combinations are clicking, and we’re looking forward to an exciting finish to the season. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling few weeks ahead!
Friday Night 4’s
PLAYER/COACH – RHYS HITCHCOCK
July saw the 4th grade juggernaut continue with compelling wins against Hamilton, University and Maitland, and final round success against Merewether in early August, keeping our undefeated record intact and securing the minor premiership. Going into finals, we’re expecting tries to continue to be scored with our entertaining brand of rugby being played, focused on speed, expansive passing, and direct running lines.
This year has seen consistent numbers and a commitment from the playing group, well supported by third grade. Confidence is high and the team is well placed approaching the finals. Two weeks of finals are scheduled for mid-August with venues and times to be confirmed.
Season Update
Having wrapped up the final round of the regular season, we now look ahead to finals for those teams involved. It’s also a great opportunity to reflect on what has been another fantastic year for our junior ranks.
Across every age group we’ve seen outstanding performances, with many of our teams enjoying excellent results on the field and several players earning well-deserved selection in representative teams. More importantly, our juniors have continued to represent the club with sportsmanship, determination and commitment every time they pulled on the 2 Blues jersey.
A huge thank you to all of our players for their enthusiasm throughout the season, our dedicated coaches, managers and volunteers for the countless hours they invest, our generous sponsors for their ongoing support, and of course our parents and families for everything you do behind the scenes. Your contribution is what makes our junior club such a special place.
Good luck to our teams heading into the finals—we’re proud of everything you’ve achieved and can’t wait to cheer you on.
Help Get Our U15’s to Japan!
The Wanderers U15 Rugby Union team has the incredible opportunity to represent their club internationally with a tour of Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. The boys will take on local teams, experience a different rugby culture, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Beyond the rugby, they’ll immerse themselves in Japan’s rich history, traditions and culture—an experience that will help shape them both on and off the field.
To help make this dream a reality, we’re holding a raffle with some fantastic prizes up for grabs! Every single dollar raised goes directly towards the players’ travel expenses and cultural experiences, helping make this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible. If you’re able to support the team by buying a ticket (or even sharing this post), we’d be incredibly grateful. Every ticket makes a difference.
Thank you for supporting our Wanderers boys as they prepare to take the international stage! Arigatō (ありがとう)!
Wildfires Coaching Blitz – Under 10’s
In the final week of July, our Under 10s players enjoyed a fantastic Wildfires Coaching Blitz, with several Newcastle Wildfires senior players joining training to share their skills, experience and passion for the game. It was a great opportunity for our young players to learn from some of the region’s best, picking up valuable tips while having plenty of fun along the way. A big thank you to the Wildfires players for giving their time and inspiring the next generation of Two Blues.
NSW Country Representatives
Congratulations to three of our outstanding junior players who recently earned selection in the NSW Country representative teams, proudly representing our club on the state stage.
A special congratulations to Jacob Leung, who was part of the NSW Country Under 15s team that claimed victory over NSW Schools – the first time NSW Country has won the fixture in 20 years.
Congratulations also to Sam Noonan, who represented the NSW Country Under 16s and was deservedly awarded Player of the Match in the team’s win over NSW Schools I – a fantastic individual achievement.
Well done to Xavier Schneider, who helped the NSW Country Under 18s secure a memorable victory in their representative fixture.
These selections and achievements are a testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of all three players. We are incredibly proud of the way they represented both NSW Country and the Two Blues.
Get involved in 2027!
As we look ahead to the 2027 season, we’re calling on our amazing club community to get involved. We’re now seeking expressions of interest from anyone interested in volunteering as a coach, team manager or committee member, or helping out in any way you feel you can make a positive contribution to our junior club.
Our club is built on the passion and generosity of volunteers, and every role—big or small—helps create a great experience for our players and families. If you’d like to be part of the team behind the team in 2027, we’d love to hear from you.
Please reach out to the Juniors President to register your interest or find out more: presidentj@wanderersrugby.com.au.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Save The Date – Saturday 19 September
Mark your calendars for our 2026 Presentation Day on Saturday, 19 September at No. 2 Sportsground.
This is a celebration for the entire club, bringing together our Junior Rugby, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s and Netball communities to recognise the achievements of the 2026 season.
Presentation times for each group will be confirmed closer to the date, but for now, please save the date—we look forward to celebrating another fantastic season with all our players, families, volunteers and supporters.
Giving Back at Our Community Lunches
Over the past months, our club has proudly supported two Community Lunches. Our U16s volunteered on 28 June, followed by members of our Women’s and Netball teams on 12 July.
Old Boy Andy Traill and coordinator Suzanne were very impressed with everyone’s contribution, particularly the U16s. It was a humbling and valuable experience for the group as they helped members of our local community who are doing it tough.
PLATINUM SPONSOR: ACTIVE FINANCE
A huge thank you to our Platinum Sponsor, Active Finance Newcastle!
Mark and the team provide tailored residential, commercial and business lending solutions, helping clients understand their options and make confident financial decisions.
As a special benefit, Wanderers members can receive $500 cashback on every eligible loan settled before the end of the 2026 rugby season.*
Considering a new loan, refinance or second opinion? Contact Active Finance for a confidential, obligation-free chat.
📞 0434 284 458
✉️ mark@activefinaus.com.au
🌐 activefinaus.com.au
*Available on home, business, commercial and SMSF loans.
Did we miss something?
Do you have important news to share with the Wanderers community? Email it to brand@wanderersrugby.com.au for consideration in the Blues News or on our social channels. We’d love to help spread the word!