December Update

Award Winners, Season Updates & Gift Ideas!

Well the longest footy season ever finished about 5 weeks ago, but much has been happening at Randwick Rugby since as you will see in the newsletter this week. What off-season you may ask?

In the COVID era nothing great is easy, so everything is tad harder to achieve. One club presentation night now becomes 3 separate events and quickly followed by our sponsors dinner – in fact we had 3 functions in 3 nights! Then of course there is AGM’s for both juniors (done) and senior clubs (on January 13) that have capacity restrictions on them and are harder to execute.

Planning for the 2021 season is well is underway and so are all the actions required to a put a football team and club on the field. We can share some draft timelines and competition structures and there is a call to arms for both players and volunteers – a great way to get in the ground if COVID crowd restrictions are still around.

Oh, and the Coogee Oval Grandstand and Amenities Block is being completely renovated and remediated (oh dear…concrete cancer is so cancerous!) around us by Randwick Council.

The Wallabies and Pumas were in and about Coogee in recent weeks and we hosted them both at various times at our facilities up at Latham Park or had their coaches visit our sponsors night and their players visit our Junior Academy – where over 300 of our finest boys and girls have been storming the local beaches in recent weeks preparing for future Randwick Rugby domination.

In that international and developmental vein, we are also proud that 6 of our Randwick Magic girls were selected in the World Cup Training Squad – so well-done ladies on a great achievement.

We have fantastic Wicks merchandise available for Christmas gifts at the Wicks Shop online or at our pop-up store at Latham Park next Wednesday night – between 4.30-7pm. Drop by to see what’s hot in Myrtle Green and then you can get it delivered on time to Uncle Bob.

We also launch our 2021 Corporate Lunch – presented by our Apricity Finance - which was cancelled this year, along with a host of other events and activities. So please save the date on Friday March 12, 2021 at Dockside and support this lunch and our club. I think we will make it a surviving 2020 theme and the rebirth of normality in a rugby season or something. It will be really good.. I promise.. so just go!

We have lots of great initiatives in our Community Corner where we share an amazing video from our Indigenous Round vs Manly at Coogee Oval – brilliantly put together by Elle Allsop. We will modestly note that Olivia Fox who achieved so much acclaim singing the National Anthem in dual dialect before the test match last Saturday, has already done so 3 times at Coogee Oval for us.

Plus, we proudly share a video which we did in partnership with Reach Out Australia, using a number of our players to try and help young Australians distinguish between what is bullying and what is banter with their mates. 2020 has been an incredibly difficult year and it’s more important than ever to look after our own mental health and to support those closest to you.

Then we have our coaches Pete Dumbleton, Ben Rutherford and club sponsor Linden Toll from Apricity Finance playing 72 holes of golf in one day to support the Cancer Council efforts to fight Skin Cancer. Maybe its counterintuitive to have a red-headed Irishman like Pete in the summer sun for 72 holes for that cause - but hey let’s get behind it anyway, as he might need it!

We should all be very proud that our players, coaches, volunteers and club are taking a leadership position on so many important social and health issues and helping to make a difference in our community. Well done all.

Next week we will see a Christmas message from President Tuxworth and we will announce all coaching appointments for 2021. So, lots done, lots still being done and lots to be happy with.

Enjoy the festive season and don’t anything I wouldn’t do.

Up the Wicks!

Mark Harrison
General Manager

2020 Club Presentation Night - Award Winners

Due to COVID restrictions on numbers permitted at functions and in licenced premises the club, was forced to split our Grade, Colts and Women presentation nights into separate events.

The Magic held theirs’s a few weeks back, Colts was held at Bronte Bowling Club last Tuesday night and Grade was held the following night at the same venue. We congratulate the major Award Winners in Grade and Colts listed below.

Aside from Christian Poidevin being a hugely well-deserved winner of our version of the Dally M for the club’s overall Best and Fairest Player, it was very pleasing to see veteran Drew Ferguson and legend in the making Caillan Porter awarded the Clubman of the Year in Grade and Colts respectively, and of course the much-loved Peter Meagher gonged as our Volunteer of the Year.

2020 Randwick DRUFC Major Awards	Winners
Randwick Rugby Trophy Club Best and Fairest	Christian Poidevin
Ron Don Most Improved Player in the Club	Declan Leaney
Aiden Wilson Best Colts Clubman	Caillan Porter
Wally Meagher Outstanding Clubman	Drew Ferguson
WT (Bill) Outterside Club Volunteer of the Year	Peter Meagher
CJ Towers Club Leading Tryscorer	Christian Yassmin
CJ Windon Rookie of the Year	Fui Gibson

For Full awards click on our website.

Sponsors & Corporate Partners Appreciation Night.

2020 has been a hell of a year for everyone and thanks to the amazing support of our loyal sponsors and corporate partners Randwick Rugby has got through it. Their generosity and resilience in sticking by us has been instrumental in keeping the club functioning and able to play as well as we did this season, when given the opportunity to do so.

Whether it be the Randwick City Council team of Mayor Danny Said, General Manager Therese Manns and City Services Director Todd Clarke working with us on facilities upgrades or infrastructure projects, or our local members Marjorie O’Neil, Michael Daley and Matt Thistlewaite steering us through legislative and funding mazes or our loyal sponsors giving us cash, product or in-kind support to operate, it is so greatly appreciated by our club.

Therefore, we hosted a Christmas Dinner for our sponsors and corporate partners last Thursday evening to thank them for their support. Our 3^rd function in 3 nights - god help us!

The night was mc’d by club legend Simon Poidevin, we heard from President Tuxworth, Club Coach Morgan, Mayor Danny Said, Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neil, Nick Fradd our major sponsor from Suttons City Motors, Neil Morris from UNSW and Bob Coombes on behalf of the Randwick Rugby Foundation.

Plus, we had a special visit from the 3 Head Wallaby Coaches Dave Rennie, Scott Wisemantel & Matt Taylor, as well as our resident Wallaby squad member Will Harrison – for a quick Q&A which had everyone spellbound in the lead-up to the Argentinian test. Then Santa Vea and his player elf’s Donno and Wilko arrived to spread some Christmas joy to our guests.

We thank Maurice Lombardo from La Spiaggia for hosting us and Maurice is also threatening to sponsor us next year…so put the heat on him next time you dine there!

A great night was had by all and once again we thank all our sponsors and partners for their support. Up the Wicks!

AGM Update - January 13 at Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club

Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 NSW Government issued Public Health Orders (at the time) and the extremely late end to 2020 rugby season, the Randwick DRUFC Board decided at its early November meeting to hold the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM), on January 13, 2021, instead of its usual December timing.

Please note due to COVID-19 related capacity restrictions at this point, this years’ AGM will be limited in attendance to Life Members of Randwick DRUFC and Current Football Club Financial Members only (paid up by Round 1, July 18, 2020), plus current registered players – the only groups who actually have voting or nomination rights at the AGM.

Aside from that, only relevant Football Club and venue staff who are required to operate the AGM, can attend. Unfortunately, we can’t allow anyone else to physically attend without contravening the current venue capacity limit at Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club.

However, closer to the AGM date, if the NSW Public Health Order is relaxed further we will review the meeting capacity limit in conjunction with Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club, to enable more people to attend the AGM if possible. We will keep you posted on that.

If you have any issues or concerns in relation to the 2020 AGM please feel free to email Club President John Tuxworth at office@randwickrugby.com.au

The Randwick DRUFC board thanks everyone for their understanding in all of this and apologises for any inconvenience this causes. It is just the way it is in the COVID world.

2021 Season - Grade & Colts Preliminary Details

Due to the extremely late finish to the 2020 season, the official preseason commencement date for Randwick Rugby will be post-Christmas on Tuesday, January 12 at Latham Park from 5.30pm. More details will be forthcoming to players in the next week.

At this stage the Shute Shield season for 2021 is scheduled to begin in April 10 (TBC) with each club having to a field a minimum of 3 Grades and 2 Colts teams. However, competitions for 4^th Grade and 3^rd Colts will still be run across the many clubs that will field teams in those divisions.

The competition is expected to be run over 18 Rounds and a 3-week final series, culminating with the Grand Final to be held at Leichardt Oval on September 11, 2021.

In terms of the women’s competitions we are still awaiting details from the SRU on the structure of the Jack Scott Cup and 7’s tournaments for 2021.

There is still much to play out and no draw has been provided at this stage. Once we are clear on this we will then release Season Ticket purchase categories and options for 2021.

Want to play for the Wicks in 2021?

It seems an obvious thing to ask at a footy club, but if you are a new player interested in playing for the Galloping Greens in 2021 – across Grade, Colts and our Women’s team, please don't hesitate to contact Mark Harrison via email at: office@randwickrugby.com.au

We are preparing for pre-season now, commencing on January 12, 2021 at Latham Park and season start in early April (TBC) – so if you want to have a run for one of the most famous clubs in world rugby, then challenge yourself and have a crack!

Volunteers - We Want You in 2021?

For the 2021 season, the club is calling for the assistance of passionate volunteers who would be interested in roles on match day at home games. These roles including Team Managers, Assistant Match Day Controllers, Touch Judges and Ground Entry/Set-up personnel.

Aside from feeling part of the inner sanctum of Randwick Rugby, the best part of volunteering is you are guaranteed entry into the ground to watch us in action every week, even if COVID crowd restrictions are still in place. Full training and a club uniform will be provided for each role.

If you need more information or would like to volunteer please email Mark Harrison at: office@randwickrugby.com.au

No reasonable offer of assistance will be refused!

Coogee Oval - Grandstand/Amenities Work Update

For those passing by Coogee Oval you will notice a huge amount of activity as building work is now underway on both the Grandstand and Amenities Block.

This project is being run by Randwick City Council, whose objectives are to make Improvements to the existing facilities and to remediate damage to the core structures. The finish date is mid-March 2021, just prior to the Shute Shield season commencing in April.

Please note that during the construction period our Football Club office located in the grandstand is now closed to visitors – with only staff permitted entry to the site.

If you have any questions or concerns please email us at office@randwickrugby.com.au or yell really loudly from Brook St.

Women's Wallaroos Squad Selections

Aside from club football, 2021 will be a huge year for Women’s Rugby at the elite level, due to the staging of the Olympics 7’s in Japan in July/August and the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September/October

It is fantastic to report that 6 of our Randwick Magic girls were recently announced in the Wallaroos World Cup extended training squad, so huge congratulations go to Georgina Freidrichs, Eva Karpani, Arabella McKenzie, Layne Morgan, Oneata Schwalger and Maya Stewart on their selection.

These players are part of an extended 45-person Wallaroos squad and they attended national camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra on December 1- 6.

It’s a testament to the overall women’s program in our club and all the efforts of Fidel Tukel, Jane Westaway and Darren Ahu. Congrats ladies and so well deserved.

Wicks Merchandise - The Ideal Christmas Gift

Now Wicks gear is the ideal gift for Christmas for those in your life, who love the Galloping Greens or desperately want to.

We have our hot selling Retro Jersey’s available to order online at ‘The Wick’s Shop’ or at our 1 day only pop-up store at Latham Park next Wednesday, December 16, between 4.30-7pm

Plus, not only do we have Retro’s jersey, we also have restocked other popular Wicks items:

• Replica jerseys (babies to adults)
• Puffer jackets (adults)
• Puffer vests (adults)
• Training singlets (kids to adults)
• Basketball singlets (kids to adults)
• Stubby holder
• Retros (babies to adults)

Myrtle Green is in this summer, so make sure your order quickly to avoid any disappointment.

Up the Wicks!

Community Corner

Randwick Junior Academy - Wallabies Visit

The Randwick Junior Academy’s 340 boys and girls are in full swing and are now 5 weeks into their pre-Christmas training block. Last Saturday they had a special visit from the Wallabies and their coaching staff at their early morning Coogee Beach session.

The 12 Wallabies including Junior Academy graduate Will Harrison and ex-Wick Pete Samu had a game of touch footy with the Academy kids and then did a Q&A session with King Poido – which all the boys and girls (and parents) absolutely loved and hung on their every word.

Huge thanks to Scott Wisemantel and the Wallabies for making the time and effort to come down on the day of a test match. It was greatly appreciated and what rugby is all about.

Indigenous Round Video

If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch this brilliant video – then its 6 minutes of your life you won’t regret spending. Fantastically shot and produced by Elle Allsop, this video traces all the events associated with our Indigenous Round match against Manly on September 26

Released in the week when the Wallabies wore First Nation jerseys in the test against Argentina and ex- Aboriginal players were being celebrated, it contains interviews with Gary Ella, Lloyd Walker, Dylan Pietsch, Maurice Longbottom, Marjorie O’Neil and great footage of all the activities across the entire day.

Randwick is a club very proud of our heritage here and the fact that 6 of the 14 indigenous Wallabies have played for us. Olivia Fox who has taken the nation by storm by singing the national anthem in dual dialect – was discovered by performing it 3 times at Coogee Oval before the Argentine game and prior to the Indigenous Round.

Reach Out Australia Bulling Video

Mental Health is a huge issue and Randwick Rugby has partnered up with Reach OutAustralia to create video to help distinguish between bullying and banter, plus encourage young Australians to develop respectful and healthy friendships, and to speak up about toxic friendships and bullying.

This video starring ‘our players David Vea, Dylan Pietsch, Nicholas Wilkinson, Bailey Collins, Ben Starkey, Lachlan Anderson, Nicholas Kellaway and Garang Garang highlights the line between banter and bullying by having them make calls on statements such as “who invited you”, “should have gone to Specsavers’ and “don't be a pussy”.

A recent report by ReachOut, Unfriendly Friendships concluded that young people found it difficult to label their experiences as bullying, particularly if the bullying comes from a friend, even when the experience is causing significant emotional distress. So look out for each other.

Mike Smith - NSW Health Nursing Award

In the same vein Club Counsellor, ex-player and trainer Mike Smith who is a vastly experienced mental health clinician and currently works at the Prince of Wales Hospital’s HIV Outreach team is the winner of the Healing Heart Award – for excellence in NSW Health Nursing Awards for 2020.

It was no surprise to many at Randwick Rugby, as during the COVID period Mike was a massive support to many of our players who were slightly off-tilt and was a calming influence generally across the club in this space. Congrats Mike – it is an enormous honour and so well deserved

Cancer Council - Longest Day Golf Challenge

Early next week our Colts Director Peter Dumbleton and one of our revered sponsors Linden Toll at Apricity Finance, whose team includes our 2nd Grade Coach Ben Rutherford will be competing in the ultimate golfing challenge to complete four rounds of golf in one day. That’s 72 holes!

They be testing their skill, strength and stamina to raise funds for the Cancer Council in their fight to combat Skin Cancer.

Because Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70 and they want to help change this.

Below are the links if you would like to sponsor the boys along the way to make every hole count!

Donate to Peter Dumbleton
Donate to Apricity Finance

We wish Pete, Linden, Ben and their respective teams all the best and applaud them for their efforts for such another worthy cause. Together, let’s tee off for a cancer free future.

PHEW!! THE END!