Randwick Rugby Newsletter

2 years ago

Randwick Rugby Newsletter

NEWSLETTER 15

General Manager's COVID Update


I hope you are well and in the spirit of Le Tour De COVID, we have hit yet another mountainous stage of uncertainty, discomfort and worry with the latest outbreak of the Delta variant spreading rapidly across Greater Sydney.

There are so many questions, but so few answers at this stage – simply everything is now on ice and rugby takes a big back seat as this pandemic attacks our community.

But First... Let’s Accentuate the Positive…
In a week that has been disconcerting on so many levels, there has been some brilliant Myrtle Green shoots of rugby positivity to report, as you can see below:

  • The selection of 7 Galloping Greens in the Australian 7’s Olympic Team going to the Tokyo, made up of 4 men and 3 women. Congratulations to Henry Hutchison, Maurice Longbottom, Lachlan Miller and Dylan Pietsch in the men’s team and to Demi Hayes, Tia Hinds and Shannon Parry in the lady’s team. It mightn’t be the Olympics that everyone hoped it would be, but it’s on and they are raring to go – so good luck to you all and enjoy the experience
  • Randwick Magic Captain Eva Karpani’s selection in the Women’s Wallaroo Squad after her barnstorming performance for the Waratahs team, who won the Super W Grand Final last Saturday against Queensland. For good measure she also scored a try in the Grand Final. Well done Eva!
  • Andrew Kellaway making his Wallabies Test Debut against France on Wednesday night in Brisbane and almost scored the match winning try with his first touch of the ball. I am sure the Kellaway clan are very proud of Andrew, as we all are at Randwick. We wish ‘Kell’ all the very best in the remainder of this series.

And of course, the Cadbury Wallabies winning a test match on the bell against Les Blues instead of drawing or losing one in that painful fashion. It was never in doubt (cough, cough, splutter) and I’m sure Inspector Clouseau would have admired that last whacky lineout implosion delivered in classic French style. Anyway, until they meet again in the 2ndTest its Caramello Koalas all-round to the victors.

COVID and the Rugby Season - Where to Next?
Sadly, now the bad news. Due to the extended lockdown announced all Community Sport is canned until July 16 at the very earliest and that includes all forms of Rugby. To recap for Randwick District Rugby, that means the following:

  • All Sydney Rugby Union competitions remain suspended indefinitely across all grade - there is little likelihood of rugby being played at all in July.
  • All training for Randwick Grade, Colts and Women teams is suspended.
  • All competition/training for our junior village clubs is suspended – Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra, Randwick Warriors, Randwick Magic and South Coogee.
  • The Back to Randwick Day ex-player reunion planned for Friday July 23 at Coogee Surf Club is cancelled.
  • The club office at Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach is closed and our staff are working remotely from home.

We await direction from Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby on next steps and the future of SRU colts, grade, women’s and junior competitions and potential re-commencement dates for playing and training. We will keep you updated as more information comes to hand.

However, the clear responsorial psalm from all stakeholders is that they simply don’t know the answer, particularly as the situation seemingly deteriorates each day. The key strategy at this point has to be about containment of the virus - SO STAY AT HOME!!!

At the end of the day it's not a rugby issue - it's a pandemic.

Support Our Sponsors:
Whilst at the moment, we have nothing for our fans to support in a rugby sense, 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 yet again, during such interesting times that COVID has a consistent knack of producing.

Please follow the rules to keep yourself, your family and community safe during this time.
Take care and Up the Wicks!

Cheers
Mark

Mark Harrison
General Manager
Randwick DRUFC

NAIDOC Week July 4-11

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is a great opportunity to learn more about these communities.

Last Saturday we were supposed to play Manly at Coogee Oval in Round 13 and for it to be our Indigenous Round, aligning with NAIDOC week celebrations.

We had planned for you to experience traditional indigenous ceremonies celebrating Aboriginal culture, Randwick Rugby’s rich connection to it and salute all the wonderful first nation players that had worn our colours over time. From the fabulous Ellas and Walkers, to name but just a few, to the modern-day stars such as Triston Reilly, Maurcie Longbottom and Dylan Pietsch – with the latter 2 gents heading to the Tokyo Olympics.

Unfortunately, COVID put the brakes on all that, but being its NAIDOC Week, let’s revisit that special day from last year, so please re-watch this please brilliant video that was produced by the very talented Elle Allsop to commemorate it.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW!

The Wicks Shop is Glady's Proof!

One thing Glady’s hasn't shut down so far is online shopping. Plus we have it on good authority (from her 4th cousin’s, next door neighbour’s, sister-in-law...), that she is a big fan of The Wicks Shop, particularly our branded COVID Face Masks.

So with a premier seal of approval, head to The Wicks Shop to find all our fabulous Wick’s supporter gear you need at your fingertips – from retro jerseys, jackets, hoodies, beanies, caps and a whole lot more. Plus, we have a new supply in of puffer vests, puffer jackets, soft shell jackets, wet weather jackets and umbrellas.

We mightn’t be playing at the moment and all our events are cancelled so what better way to keep supporting the club than by buying some kit, wearing it, keeping warm and just pretending we are!

OK that’s shameless marketing push no. 89… soon we might have to resort to begging!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW!

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