General Manager's Update

Newsletter 12 2021.

There was no footy for the big kids last Saturday with the Shute Shield and Jack Scott Cup competitions having a mid-season siesta, as all rugby eyes were focused on the Junior State Championships held all over NSW. Seven Randwick teams participated at State ranging in age from Under 12 to Opens level and including our first ever girls’ team.

Randwick Rugby doesn’t have many firsts left to claim, but the girls have certainly provided one over the weekend by both participating and also playing so well in these state titles.

It really is a mammoth undertaking to arrange this across so many teams in so many locations ranging from Dubbo, Orange, Camden, Concord, Hunters Hill and Narrabeen. So huge congratulations go to our Juniors general Stu Donaldson for co-ordinating this massive campaign so well and engaging so many fabulous volunteers to assist him, to give all these boys and girls the opportunity to proudly wear the Myrtle Green.

Let me tell you these 3-day carnivals are not easy to win and Randwick’s last state title victory was a decade ago via the Under 12’s in 2011 – which was a once in a generation team containing the likes of Ben Donaldson, Will Harrison, Joel Ellis, Tyrone Taukomo and Matt Stead to name but a few. History will suggest they were a very handy side.

However, drum roll... I am very proud to report that our Under 18 boys team were successful in winning the State title, knocking off the Rats at Rat Park on Monday afternoon to claim the crown. The Under 18 girls also made the big dance, but unfortunately lost in a tight one to Uni, with injuries really impacting their last day efforts.

The future looks incredibly bright with our local talent really shining on the big stage.
Bravo Young Wicks Bravo!

For the big boys, 1^st & 2^nd Grade and 1^st Colts return to the field on Saturday vs Western Sydney Two Blues at Merrylands Oval, while our 4^th Colts/UNSW combo head out to Epping. Our Magic girls are a bit closer to home at Woollahra to take on Easts in the evening session and Round 2 in Battle of the Easts – literally!

The following week on June 26, we return home to Coogee Oval for the big clash vs Northern Suburbs, where many of our Super Rugby reps will finally make a welcome return to bolster our injury ravaged ranks. Plus, after a nine-month hiatus, we will even have our old grandstand and dressing rooms back in operation – in the spirit of everything old looks the same, but is seemingly new again. Elton John’s ‘I’m still standing’ is going to be the launch song of choice apparently to celebrate the old boy's survival.

To get your tickets for the Norths game – simply click here!

Huge congratulations go to Wicks Isiah Perese and Andrew Kellaway on their recent selection in the broader Wallabies Squad for the upcoming test matches against France.
Also, we congratulate Eva Karpani on her selection in the NSW Waratahs Super W side, taking on Queensland this Saturday. Well done and good luck to all our rep players.

In Community Corner, Stu will provide a full report on our Junior State Champs campaign across all age groups, plus we remind everyone about our Galloping Greens Kids School Holiday Rugby Camp on July 6 & 8 at Latham Park. A key ingredient to winning state champs it seems – now there is a recruitment add parents and punters!

Also, ex Wicks players, coaches and officials please lock this in your diary - Back to Randwick Day will be held on Round 15 vs Warringah on July 24 at Coogee Oval. We will also be going to make a weekend of it and are holding a casual reunion the evening prior from 4pm for ex-Wicks at Coogee Surf Club on Friday July 23. Read on for more details about how it will roll and what you need to do to get a start.

Plus, our much-revered major sponsor Sutton City Motors, is having their annual and traditionally massive End of Financial Year/4 Day Sale starting tomorrow on both new, demonstrator and pre-loved cars (used even…). If you need another set of wheels check out their showrooms at Link Rd Zetland, tell them you are a Wicks supporter and Nick Fraad and his friendly Suttons crew will show you even more love. If you tell them you are from Uni or Easts, the price could be doubled!

Good luck to all on Saturday as we take on Two Blues and ladies face off against Easts.

Up the Wicks!

Regards
Mark

Mark Harrison
General Manager

Get your supporters gear online at The Wick Shop

Check out our huge range of season merchandise at our online store The Wicks Shop.

Here you will find all the fabulous Wick’s supporter gear you need at your fingertips – from retro jerseys, jackets, hoodies, beanies, caps and a whole lot more. This now includes our retro corduroy caps which is the hottest selling item at the moment.

The Wicks Shop is open 24/7 online, plus we will also have all this merchandise available for sale at our next game at Coogee Oval on Saturday, June 26 vs Northern Suburbs.

Check out The Wicks Shop by clicking here.

Community Corner

2021 State Junior Championships Report

The dust (and snow) has finally settled following last weekend's NSWJRU State Championships, and I'm pleased to report that it was an extremely successful tournament for Randwick's State Championship teams. We entered teams in all age group (U12's thru to the U18's) including - for the first time in our club's history - an U18 Girl's team. Matches were played at the following locations around the State: U12's - CamdenU13's - DubboU14's - OrangeU15's - ConcordU16's - WarringahU18's - WarringahU18's Girls - Hunters Hill Overall, we had 175 local juniors representing their proud district over the long weekend, a large majority of whom are members of our very successful Junior Academy program.

All players came through our village club system, most particularly the Randwick Warriors and the Randwick Magic in recent years, so we really owe all those clubs and volunteers a debt of gratitude for their critical role in helping develop these youngsters and keep our brilliant junior pathway so viable. Whilst all our teams were competitive throughout the tournament winning their fair share of games, I'm very pleased to report that two of our age groups in particular achieved outstanding success. Our U18 Boy's team were crowned State Champions by defeating Warringah 23-7 in the final. This is the club's first State Championship title in 10 years. A tremendous effort by a very talented team. And I'm pleased to report that 15 members of the team are current or former members of our Junior Academy and head coach Deon Smith who also moonlights as our 2^nd Colts coach. Congratulations to all involved. Our U18 Girl's team went oh so close going down to Sydney University 0-14 in the final. The girls went into the final undefeated, but suffered numerous concussions and injuries during the tournament which hampered their chances in the final. But considering the team consisted of a few 16 year olds and some girls who had never played rugby before, it was a mighty performance to progress as far as they did. The girls will return next year better for this year's experience. Next up on the representative scene are our mighty U10 and U11 Randwick Rep teams. They will head north up the M1 to Tuggerah in a few weeks to play in a NSWJRU Gala weekend and we wish them all the very best.

Again, we sincerely thank the Randwick Rugby Foundation, the Jeffrey Sayle Foundation, Jim Dubos and the Coogee Legion Club for all their generous financial support more broadly across all our junior activities, and the senior club for their on-going interest and support. Plus, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Stacey Bakker and the Baker Built team for their major jersey sponsorship of this year’s state campaign. I would like to thank all our volunteer coaches, managers, trainers, physio’s etc who did a marvellous job managing our respective rep teams in the lead up to and during the State Championships. Our boys and girls are very lucky to have such experienced and passionate volunteers to show them the way.

Finally, a massive thanks to all the parents who were running these kids around the state across the entire long weekend and their lives in general 24/7, plus were so generous in ensuring ‘Camp Wicks’ was well stocked and our players nourished over the 3 days. It really is a community effort at this level. Thank you one and all – we couldn’t do it without you.
Up the Wicks!
Stu Donaldson
Randwick Juniors State Championships Manager

Galloping Greens School Holiday Camp - July 6 & 8

In the July School Holiday’s, Randwick Rugby will host our annual rugby camp at Latham Park, South Coogee – for both boys and girls who play in the Under 8's and upwards.

It’s the perfect time to let your kids be active, burn off some energy and learn the game they play in heaven from the best in the business. The camp will be run by our elite coaching staff from both the Randwick Junior Academy and Senior Club Programs.

What’s included?

• This 2-day camp will encourage and develop all skill levels in the core skills of the game through fun drills, tasks and games.
• All participants will receive a Training Shirt and Hat.
• There will be a Q&A session with current Randwick 1st Grade and Waratah Players.

Where: Latham Park, Moverley Rd, South Coogee.
When: Tuesday, July 6 & Thursday, July 8.
Time: 9am-12pm on both days.
Total Cost: Registered Randwick Junior Club Players - $100 and Non-Registered - $120.

If you have questions please direct them to Adam Baker via email: juniordevelopment@randwickrugby.com.au

Numbers are limited for the camp and only 30 spots remain - so to reserve a spot for your boy or girl order online now by clicking here.