| Hello Wanderers Community, Its been a big couple of months since the end of the season – some of that being really positive and, for some, a few moments of reflection on the value and meaning of family and friends. To those in our Wanderers community that have had a harder time of it in the last few weeks, our thoughts and best wishes are with you. Please reach out to anyone in the Club whenever you want – we want you to be OK. I had the opportunity just before the Club Presentation weekend to meet with all our 2024 Sponsors and to thank them for their support in our Centenary year. As always the Commonwealth Hotel was a great venue and remains a great and loyal sponsor. In the very near future (I know Nacho is working hard in the background) our updated and refreshed website will give you access to all our sponsors and the services they have kindly made available to the Wanderers community. As part of the thank you to the sponsors I reflected (albeit a little too quickly – hence the dot point format) on the season that was 2024 – 100 Years of Wanderers. It was a cracking year: Our Juniors 10 teams 4 made the semis 3 made the Prelim Final (11s, 15s, 18s) 1 Runner up (Under 10s) Our Netballers Wanderers Netball started the season with a record 11 teams. 7 teams made the semi-finals (unfortunately 2 x Wanderers teams played each other in the semis). We had two (2) Premiership teams – congratulations to Team Navy and Team Bluey. We had three (3) Runners-up – Team Ice Queens, Team Blue Diamonds and Team Blue Steel. Thanks to Jess for cajoling, coordinating and overseeing a wonderfully successful Netball season for Wanderers. Thanks to our Club Refs that officiate each weekend (we’re obliged to have refs to remain in Premier Rugby) Jackson Bartley David Blake Isaac Smadja Ben Towers (9s and 11s) Steve Watt (14s) Several kids out of our U13s & 14s enrolled: Charlie De Carle Ethan Mcdonnell Harrison Kirrage Hugh Mulley Josh Smadja Sydney Day Our Premier Rugby teams Club Champions for 4th straight year P1: semi finalists and beat premiers 3 times in the year P2: three-peat Premiers P3: finalists W: undefeated three-peat Premiers One of the pleasing aspects as we plan for Season 2025 is the recognition that we fielded 13 juniors in P2s and 8 Jnrs in P1s during the final campaign. We’re very excited about the prospect of this years Under 18s moving into senior rugby. With the support of coaches Nick Hewiit and Dave Tynan we were able to give a number of Under 18s a taste of senior rugby during 2024. Other Notable Mentions Luke Sherwood: 237 P1 games – most capped P1 player in history of the Club Luke Simmons: 200 P1 games Update to the Blue Room New container at No 5 Centenary Lunch It makes you proud to be a Wanderer. Go Blue!Peter WRFC President |
| PRESENTATION: |
| The Club had the Senior Rugby Presentation at No 2 on Saturday 26 September and the Junior rugby presentation on Sunday 27 September. The Club went with a low-key Blue Room BBQ and Beers style presentation and everyone in attendance had a great time remembering and reminiscing on season 2024. Congratulations to the following players and members on their achievements in 2024: |
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| SEASON 2025: |
| Moving into season 2025 we’re excited to announce the appointment of our Head Coach and Assistant Coaches to Premier Rugby. We’re excited to see Luke Braid from Auckland and New Zealand rugby agree to be the Head Coach. He’ll be ably supported by the following Assistant Coaches:Todd HendersonLuke SherwoodMark SherwoodAdam LewisAndrew TualaMeaghan Cassserly (W Team) Jessica Dagger (W team) Shane Goldthorpe / Andrew Katoa / Dane McNamara in the P3 rolesRob Hanks as Welfare OfficerCorey Brown as S&C Coach |
| AGM: |
| Please remember the Club AGM is set down for: Saturday 7 December 2024 in the Blue Room at 4.30pm See you there |
| BAGGY BLUE: |
| You may recall a couple of Newsletters back we spoke of the Baggy Blue Cap and recongising a number of Wanderers players for their playing achievements with the Club. An absent Wanderer was Anthony ‘Dutchy’ Holland. Dutchy reached out after seeing the Newsletter and is now the proud owner of his Baggy Blue. Thanks for the pics Dutchy. For those rugby mates of Dutchy, if you’re keen to say hello to him, give Peter a call and he can let you know how to get in touch with him. For those wonderful Wanderers players no longer playing but longing to get their baggy blue for their 100 1XV games and/or 200 Club Games we can let you know that we are proposing another presentation of Baggy Blue caps at the 2025 Season Launch – we will get to all former players through the next season to recognise your service and playing career with the Club. |
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| VALE GRAHAM PILL: |
| It is with much sadness that Wanderers record the recent passing of Wanderers Life Member, Graham Pill. Better known as “Pilly”, Graham was a beloved member of the Wanderers family, and his loss will be felt by many. His unwavering dedication and passion for the club were an inspiration to us all. Graham moved to Newcastle around 1959 for work, and left behind a rugby career (or so he thought) with the famous Mascot Juniors, Randwick Boys High and Randwick Rugby Club. With his dodgy knees Graham didn’t think about playing rugby until Ray Mills convinced him to come and play for Wanderers in 1963. Graham’s first game was in 3rd XV and he went on to play 267 games for the Club with the highlight being captain of the 1966 reserve grade major premiership team. It was a very strong team and I really enjoyed it because my weakening knees held out the whole season.Graham served the Club off the field in a myriad of roles and particularly as Vice President in 174 and 1975 and then Club President between 1976 and 1979. Graham cites as his fondest memories of being able to play a seniors match with his sons, Jonathan in 1977, and with Andrew in 1979.Graham was Wanderer of the Year in 1972 and honoured with Life Membership in 1978. |
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| JUNIORS: |
| Under 18s A number of our Under 18 cohort will be moving into senior rugby next season. We’re keen to get them into training and on the field. We are already looking at a group of young players that have shown incredible dedication to the club. With the support of Tyno and Dogga (and all the dedicated parents and extended family) this team of 18’s is incredibly close-knit. Some will be leaving for university next year, yet a significant number plan to stay, play, and continue to represent the club with some having aspirations to join the Wildfires. Recognising their achievements is a way of showing appreciation for their loyalty and the hard work they’ve invested in the Wanderers over many years. Congratulations and thank you to: 100 games Jacob Contempree 108 Gus Barclay 105 50 games Finn Coker 54 Taj Walton 52 ZinZan Aumoe 50 Lachlan Wright 51 Zeke Rice 56 Daniel Lynch 59 Others Archie Bennett 162 Henry Guest 129 Oliver White 79 Luke Basford 88 Kye Portelli 72 Blake Welsh 13 Brodie Eade 25 Izaeaje Ikikele 36 Cooper Hides 78 Diesel O’Davis 66 Daniel Culjak 10 Keelan Waldron 14 Brody Dudgeon 18 Callan Smith 29 Arthur Peterlis 28 Ryan Mulligan 22 Garuahgal 10 Mathias Norton 12 |
| Big shout out to our Under 10s Runners Up and to Josh and Al for coaching the 10s to the Grand Final. |
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| Our Under 9s headed to Sydney to participate in the Chatswood Junior Challenge Cup. The young Wanderers played 3 games against some very strong Sydney club teams. We are told that all the kids had great fun and thoroughly enjoyed this challenge as a great way to end their season. Special mention to Olly Sims and Owen Prinsloo from U8s who helped out and were both standout players of the day. Thanks too to Rhys Hitchcock, Benny Towers and Anthony Barrett for making sure these kids enjoyed their season of rugby. |
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| Help Available Do you have any odd jobs around your place that need doing ? In the last month or two our WRC members have had some wonderful experiences with Wanderers Under 15’s. The team is undertaking fund raising for a trip to Japan as Under 16’s in 2025 and this is highly commendable. The team are happy to (based on the feedback from those benefiting from the help provided by the Under 15 lads) come around to your house and clean up your messy garden or clean ceiling light shades and changed dud light globes as well as assisting with some IT problems. The team and the parents were a delight to meet. It is the WRC recommendation that every assistance be given to the team. I am sure there are many Wanderers that can make use of the offer to undertake chores. |
| CLUB MERCHANDISE: |
| ONLINE STOREThis online store is always open! ** New products have now been added, including the navy “cyclone” shorts our women’s team wears! Head across to our apparel partners’ website or follow the direct link to the Wanderers online store by tapping the blue button below. Merchandise is sent directly to your door. Sizes from children’s to 5XL. |
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| WANDERERS RUGBY COMMUNITY: |
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| 2024 CORPORATE PARTNERS: |
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