General Managers Update

Hi all

I hope you are keeping well in such unrelenting and challenging times.

Well, this week the intention was to cover football and tell you how well we did in our Round 1 games vs West Harbour last Saturday. No doubt we would have smashed them!

Now all our focus would have been on our first home game of the season at Coogee on Saturday against Manly – also the Jeffrey Sayle Celebration day. I know so many people were excited to come and pay tribute to the great man. I even received a note from one of our supporters who now lives in Portland, Oregon extremely disappointed his Australian trip - planned around this day - was off!

If not the footy, then loads of you would have been heading off up or down the coast for the Easter break or off to religious services. Maybe you intended lazing on Coogee Beach or have the extended family over for a BBQ.

Sadly, as you know, none of this can happen in the current environment of self-isolating and social distancing. It certainly will be an unforgettable Easter this year, for all the wrong reasons thanks to COVID-19.

However, seeing on the news each day, the mounting carnage overseas this virus is wreaking, then these measures are necessary for our own good. Without your health, you have nothing and if there was ever a time to be grateful to be an Australian it is now!

What’s in this Edition:
Today, we will update you on Rugby Australia’s latest timeline on community rugby commencing, the launch of our online training programs and a shout out to help our players who are struggling to find work.

Sadly, we also mourn the loss of two former players, but happily advise of a Randwick couple’s engagement (via a Zoom meeting proposal apparently) and excitedly we announce the opening our online store – The Wick’s Shop to sell our season merchandise. It's a great way to support your club now.

Please continue to support our sponsors products and services – they are showing amazing loyalty to the club despite significant challenges to their own businesses.

Anyway, read on…

Rugby Australia Timeline Announcement:
Rugby Australia have released a statement around Community Rugby – which impacts on Grade, Colts, Women’s, Juniors and Subbies competition potential start dates. To see the full statement please head to the link below to read the full article.

Rugby Australia Statement

In essence according to this the earliest the season can start is June 1, however being NSW Government regulations restrict social gatherings until closer to July, it’s highly unlikely we can resume until July at the earliest.

We will keep you updated around the 2020 Season start as soon as it is confirmed.

Players Training Videos Launched:
I can assure you all our players, coaches, volunteers and support staff are chomping at the bit to get back into action. They are doing everything they can to be ready to return when the galloping green-light is given to do so

However, to keep them motivated and pressing on, you will have noticed a series of online player training drills videos on our social media platforms being produced by our Colts Director Pete Dumbleton and High-Performance Manager Jacinta Mattingly.

Aside from Pete, the star of the show, playing the co-talent role of Blaise Barnes in these videos is none other than Blaise Barnes. Here’s an example of one of the many produced:

Session 1 - Attack v Defence

We thank our sponsor Amaysim for their continued support here of this project.

The Wicks Online Shop – Now Open:
Randwick Rugby's official online merchandise store is now live on our website.

Welcome to The Wick’s Shop, which sells our brand-new range of merchandise for 2020. Here you will find all the fabulous supporter gear you need at your fingertips – from jerseys, jackets, hoodies, beanies, caps and a whole lot more.

Plus as a special launch offer, enjoy FREE Shipping for any order valued over $120.00!
For deliveries within Australia only.

So happy shopping and any purchase really, really, helps us at the moment, particularly without any revenue streams in action. Your custom will be greatly appreciated.

Please note that due to COVID -19 restrictions all items purchased need to be mailed out and aren’t available for pick up at the office at this time.

Jobs for the Boys (and girls..)
Obviously, everyone is affected by the current situation, but we do have a few players doing it very tough as job opportunities dry up and casual shifts get cut back – particularly those from the country and interstate without local networks to fall back on.

Some fall in between the cracks of Government Support measures being offered.

If there are any opportunities in any field we have some hardworking Randwick boys and girls ready, willing and able. Please email me by clicking here if you do.

Wedding Bells:
Congratulations to Randwick Magic’s Women’s XV Captain Georgie Friedrich & former Randwick player Jack Pennington, who became engaged last weekend after Jack dropped to one knee on Narrabeen Beach – lucky it wasn’t at Coogee as they would be fined!

Georgie plays in the Waratah’s Super W team and is also in the Aussie 7’s squad.
From everyone at the Wick’s we wish you both a life time of happiness together.

In Memoriam:
Sincere condolences from all at Randwick Rugby go to the family and friends of Norm ‘Nob’ Hill and also Paul Carroll who both passed away recently.

RIP Norm ‘Nob’ Hill:
Sadly, we lost one of the greats in the Coogee community with the passing of local legend Norm ‘Nob’ Hill who was aged 96.

‘Nob’, was an 80-year member of Coogee Surf Club, a foundation member of the Coogee Penguins Winter Swimming Club and instrumental in establishing Coogee Minnows – now the largest Nipper club in the land. He was also a life member of Coogee Bowling Club.

In 1943 aged 18, he enlisted at the height of the World War 11 in the RAAF serving as a wireless operator, air gunner and then flying Lancaster Bombers defending England.

‘Nob’ was an Apprentice Fitter and Turner famously told his boss, that he broke his leg playing for Randwick and would be off work for a while – before taking off to war for 3 years. He apologised on his return, got his old job back and finished his apprenticeship.

‘Nob’ did play grade rugby for Randwick and his second-row partner was Sir Nick Shehadie. He also served on the board of Randwick Rugby, that established the Randwick District Junior Rugby competition and he helped set up the Maroubra Marlins club.

You could always find 'Nob' at Coogee Oval on a Saturday supporting the Wicks or down the beach every day at his beloved Surf Club. He was a larger than life character, who will be greatly missed. RIP 'Nob'!

RIP Paul Carroll:
We also mourn the loss of Paul Carroll, who played in First Grade in 1950 and lower grades for a few years either side of it. In 1952 Paul went to rugby league and also played a few seasons for Eastern Suburbs. Up the Roosters!

Yet another great bloke who will be tremendously missed. RIP Paul.

Support of Sponsors:
Again, we would ask you if you have the means do so, to support our sponsors businesses.

Fortunately, we have some very loyal sponsors and our Randwick Rugby Foundation. Please pay a visit online to these organisations by clicking on their logo’s displayed below.
We thank them again sincerely, for sticking with us in these unparalleled times.

For instance, our partner Walsh Pharmacy at South Maroubra is running a virtual Easter Egg hunt competition online which is a great community Easter activity to do in the comfort of home isolation. Check out how to enter by clicking here

Sign-Off:
As promised, we will keep you updated as any further news comes to hand on our season planning and to reiterate we are still 7 wins and no losses at this point. Going well!

Being Saturday was going to be Sayley’s day at Coogee – why not check this video out instead. Its classic Jeffrey and Beautiful!!

Have a Happy Easter and continue to take care, stay safe and look after each other.
Up the Wicks!

Cheers
Mark

Mark Harrison
General Manager
Randwick DRUFC