BLUES NEWS
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During many wars, rugby matches have been played overseas as a celebration of Australian culture and as a bonding exercise between soldiers. Wanderers and Merewether Carlton share one of the most enduring sporting rivalries in our region. Both Clubs agreed to recognise this rivalry and to play annually on or around ANZAC Day for the Adams-Halter ANZAC Shield. The Shield pays homage to legends of both clubs, Wanderer’s John “Fats” Halter and Merewether Carlton’s Neil “Noodles” Adams. It involves the Senior, Junior and Women’s contingents of both clubs. For some the clash may be their closest involvement with Anzac Day remembrance services. Before the first grade match, a special Anzac Day service will take place. This ceremony includes the recognition of Australian War Veterans as well as a Wreath Laying Ceremony, including the playing of the Last Post and Australian National Anthem. |
A best-on-ground player is to be named for each of the Anzac Day clashes. The player in the match considered to best exemplify the Anzac spirit - skill, courage, self- sacrifice, teamwork and fair play - will be awarded the Anzac Medal.
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Wanderers and Merewether Carlton have unveiled their 2022 commemorative jerseys ahead of their traditional Anzac Day clash this month. Both teams will honour Anzac Day with specially-designed commemorative jerseys which pay tribute to the generations of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who have defended our values and freedoms, in wars, conflicts and peace operations for over 100 years. An image of soldiers in the field of battle features on the front of the O’Neills designed Wanderers jersey, atop the traditional Two Blues hoops. A band of red poppies sits below the club logo across the heart of the jersey. The poppy is a symbol of remembrance of those who died in battle and for those currently serving in the armed forces. Merewether Carlton Rugby Club, along with partner ISC, have produced a one off jersey aimed at paying respect to those that have served our country. The camouflage motif pays homage to our armed forces whilst the poppies have been incorporated into the playing numbers in remembrance of those the that made the ultimate sacrifice. |
Browse the latest newsletters sent out from our Club to catch up on all the important Club news.
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NEWCASTLE WEEKLY - 21 APRIL 2022
Wanderers to host Adams-Halter ANZAC Shield showdown During many wars, rugby matches were played overseas as a celebration of Australian culture and as a bonding exercise between soldiers. So, it’s fitting to see two Hunter clubs embrace a similar tradition. Newcastle Weekly's Rod Thompson reports. |
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Honan is a proud principal partner of the Wanderers Women’s Rugby program, established as part of the Wanderers’ senior Rugby operation in 2000. With sport in their DNA, Honan have a long history of supporting community sport, as they believe it is an amazing way to connect, develop and grow – both on and off the field.
Women’s sport is an area that still strives to challenge and overcome many biases and stereotypes. With the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day of #BreakTheBias in mind, they asked some of the women involved in the program to share their experiences and reflections on women in sport and the biases they would most like to break. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 30 JUNE 2021
Wanderers Rugby fullback Hayden Cole - "That is why people stick around. You want to be invested emotionally as well. " Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 27 JUNE 2021
"They are starting to listen and believe in themselves. After the game against Wanderers (29-7 loss), which physically was tough, they understand that they can match it physically. They just have to be a bit smarter." Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 26 JUNE 2021
"We are a real tempo team. There are certain clubs who do very well at disrupting your tempo. The Bay are one of them" Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 31 MAY 2021
Two Blues take belief from miracle comeback. Coach Dan Beckett says "To be a man down and come back. It was a special win." Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 29 MAY 2021
Two Blues expect big things from breakaway. Coach says "He looks at home in a Wanderers jersey. I know we haven't seen his best in the Hunter." Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 9 MAY 2021
On Saturday, Singleton came from behind to snatch a pulsating 25-all draw with Wanderers at Rugby Park. "We just couldn't put them away," Becket said. "There was a point in the second half where I thought we were going to put 20 points on them, but we never did. We kept getting ahead and they kept coming back. That is credit to their resolve. The Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 28 APRIL 2021 MEREWETHER Carlton were winners of the inaugural Adams-Halter ANZAC Shield but the Greens victory over Wanderers in first grade came at a huge cost. The Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 25 APRIL 2021 Hunter Rugby Union: Greens triumph over arch rivals Wanderers in front of 3000 at Townson Oval in fitting ANZAC encounter. The Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE WEEKLY - 22 APRIL 2021
A long-standing Hunter Rugby “war” will be pushed to the side, albeit for a couple of minutes, to honour our servicemen and women, plus other fallen heroes, at Townson Oval this weekend. The Newcastle Weekly's Rod Thompson reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 22 APRIL 2021
Fierce rivals Merewether and Wanderers will play for the first time for the Adams-Halter ANZAC Shield at Townson Oval on Saturday. The shield pays homage to legends of both clubs, Merewether's Neil "Noodles" Adams and Wanderers' John "Fats" Halter. The Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 20 APRIL 2021
BLAIR Rush was on the radar of coach Scott Coleman from the moment the Hunter Wildfires were given the go ahead in December to compete in the 2021 Shute Shield. The Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 19 APRIL 2021 Hunter Rugby Union said farewell to one its most popular servants at a packed Sacred Heart Cathedral on Monday. Towers died last week , aged 80, after a long battle with illness. The Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 16 APRIL 2021
Francis Ieremia returns to Wanderers in 2021 after a Shute Shield stint with West Harbour and will line-up against the Gropers at Nelson Bay in Saturday's season opener. The Newcastle Herald's Josh Callinan reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 15 APRIL 2021 Hunter Rugby Union 2021 season preview: Two Blues primed to end Hamilton's five-year reign. The Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NBN NEWS - 14 APRIL 2021
The Hunter Rugby competition returns on Saturday – 18 months since its last match. The NBN's Adam Murray reports. |
Junior Wildfires
Congratulations to our 18 young Wanderers on their selection to the Wildfires Squads for 2021!
Under 18s: Oaka Darcy Shaw, Ieuan Rakei Rogers
Under 15s: Jacob Contempree, Ethan Hamilton, Tom Hughes, Brayden Skuthorpe, Harper Strachan, Ian Beale
Under 14s: Mitchell Balzer, Gus Barclay, Amos Maddison, Tom Reid, Harry Beckett, Liam Hamilton
Under 13s: Atticus Kennedy, Liam Sidwell, Enzo Strachan
Under 12s: Ben Barretto
Under 15s: Jacob Contempree, Ethan Hamilton, Tom Hughes, Brayden Skuthorpe, Harper Strachan, Ian Beale
Under 14s: Mitchell Balzer, Gus Barclay, Amos Maddison, Tom Reid, Harry Beckett, Liam Hamilton
Under 13s: Atticus Kennedy, Liam Sidwell, Enzo Strachan
Under 12s: Ben Barretto
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Club patron
As the year draws to a close we note with enormous appreciation and thanks that our Club Patron for the last 20 years, Morgan Jones has decided to step down. Morgan commenced his Rugby career with Wanderers in 1959 (actually he played his first game in 1956 as an under-aged 18 year old). He missed the 1960 season to attend University and in the following twelve years Morgan played in Wanderers first grade side missing less than twelve games. In total Morgan played 200 first grade games and 280 games in total for Wanderers.
Morgan was a member of Wanderers 1st XV winning premiership teams of 1963, 1964 and 1965. Morgan also coached the Wanderers 1975 1st XV winning premiership team and the undefeated 1981 side. Also of note is his enormous contribution to and involvement with the Wanderers Juniors across those decades. Morgan was named Wanderer of the Year in 1975, was made a Life Member in 1976 and Club Patron in the Year 2000.
On behalf of the Wanderers community, thank you Morgan for your unstinting dedication to all things Wanderers.
The new Club Patron from 2021 named at yesterday's AGM is Angelo Agresti.
Angelo first played with Wanderers as an Under 15 in 1976 coached by Peter Robinson. He moved into senior rugby in 1980 and played in the 1st XV Grand Final side under coach Morgan Jones, continuing to play until 2013. All up Angelo has played 465 games for the Club, (116 1st XV | 145 2nd XV | 64 3rd XV | 121 4th XV | 19 5th XV).
While still playing Angelo joined the Management Committee in 1985 and in 1989 was elected Club President. He served the Club as President until 1998 a period that saw the first Blue Room opened in 1993.
In 1995 Angelo, along with others like then Club Patron, Jack Robinson; were instrumental in documenting the Club history for our 75th anniversary. He established our Google account under the wanderersrugby.com.au domain in 2015 to provide a digital means to administer the club and record history.
Angelo returned as Club President from 2005 to 2011 and during that time created our first strategic plan and in 2008 introduced the club credo: Fortius quo fidelius (Strength through loyalty). He was recognised as Wanderer of the Year in 1990 and in 2001 awarded life membership. "It's a great club where I've learnt life lessons and made lifelong friends," said Angelo.
Morgan was a member of Wanderers 1st XV winning premiership teams of 1963, 1964 and 1965. Morgan also coached the Wanderers 1975 1st XV winning premiership team and the undefeated 1981 side. Also of note is his enormous contribution to and involvement with the Wanderers Juniors across those decades. Morgan was named Wanderer of the Year in 1975, was made a Life Member in 1976 and Club Patron in the Year 2000.
On behalf of the Wanderers community, thank you Morgan for your unstinting dedication to all things Wanderers.
The new Club Patron from 2021 named at yesterday's AGM is Angelo Agresti.
Angelo first played with Wanderers as an Under 15 in 1976 coached by Peter Robinson. He moved into senior rugby in 1980 and played in the 1st XV Grand Final side under coach Morgan Jones, continuing to play until 2013. All up Angelo has played 465 games for the Club, (116 1st XV | 145 2nd XV | 64 3rd XV | 121 4th XV | 19 5th XV).
While still playing Angelo joined the Management Committee in 1985 and in 1989 was elected Club President. He served the Club as President until 1998 a period that saw the first Blue Room opened in 1993.
In 1995 Angelo, along with others like then Club Patron, Jack Robinson; were instrumental in documenting the Club history for our 75th anniversary. He established our Google account under the wanderersrugby.com.au domain in 2015 to provide a digital means to administer the club and record history.
Angelo returned as Club President from 2005 to 2011 and during that time created our first strategic plan and in 2008 introduced the club credo: Fortius quo fidelius (Strength through loyalty). He was recognised as Wanderer of the Year in 1990 and in 2001 awarded life membership. "It's a great club where I've learnt life lessons and made lifelong friends," said Angelo.
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CONGRATULATIONS Jacklin Andrews and Harry Brown for selection in the NSW Country U18 Boys Gen Blue Country squad. Best of luck in the Country v City game, Sunday 8th November at 1:00pm. Gen Blue Program 2020 22 September- GPS 1 and 2 v NSW Barbarians 1 and 2 (players spotted from various comps that are finished) November 1st – Open trials for Club & CHS/CCC/AICES players from Sydney and Country November 8th - NSW City v NSW Country November 15th - NSW Schools v NSW Juniors (selected from the best players of Sydney v Country) November 21st - NSW U18 v QLD U18 (not confirmed). |
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welcome to seniors
This week we farewell from Juniors some of our Under 18 players. Together they have amassed an incredible 1229 games of junior rugby for Wanderers and have won 4 Minor & 4 Major Premierships in the past 6 years!
We look forward to watching them grow and develop further through senior rugby.
We look forward to watching them grow and develop further through senior rugby.
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2020
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 24 JULY 2020 WANDERERS will take on Western Sydney for the Two Blues Cup each pre-season as part of a sister relationship forged between the two clubs. The clubs share the same colours and "Two Blues" moniker and now will share resources and ideas. The Newcastle Herald's James Gardiner reports. |
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NEWCASTLE HERALD - 23 JULY 2020
Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union 'pull the pin' on proposed Rams Cup competition for premier clubs in 2020. Coronavirus protocols and financial strains were the key factors raised by premier clubs as Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union officials opted to cancel this year's proposed Rams Cup competition. |
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NHRU MEDIA RELEASE - 30 MAY 2020
Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union (NHRU) has today confirmed that the normal premiership season for 2020 is not going ahead but they are ready to be creative and look at alternative options as restrictions ease. |
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VALE TOMMY TOWERS
It is with much sadness that we advise the passing of Tom Towers. Tom was well known to many Wanderers after a 50 year association with the Club. His passion was rugby, having been the first child of Cyril and Rita Towers, “the first family of Australian rugby”. At Wanderers, he played 5/8 soon after arriving in town and held many positions in the Club. It was only fitting that Tom was awarded Life Membership of Wanderers in 2005 . Many at Wanderers will clearly recall Tom undertaking any number of roles over his many years with the Club. These include:
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Wanderers Rugby together with the wider Rugby community join in offering their condolences to Tom’s sons, Chris, Sam, Peter, and Ben; his sisters Margariete and Lyn; and sister-in-law Glenys and their extended families.
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VALE LAURIE WILLIAMS
It is with considerable sadness that the recent passing of Life Member, Laurie Williams, is recorded. Laurie was a great stalwart of Wanderers for many years. Father-and-son George and Laurie Williams joined the Two-Blues in 1944, with the former being appointed ambulance officer while the latter, a wide-eyed 10-year-old, became a ball boy. An 18-year-old Laurie Williams graduated into the senior ranks of the St Johns Ambulance in 1952, relieving George of his weekly sideline duties. Laurie served the club faithfully for more than 50 years and it gave him great pleasure to have his daughter, Gaynor, help out on Saturdays as an official water-carrier. Three generations of the one family - George, Laurie and Gaynor Williams - provided assistance to the Wanderers Club for well over half a century. Laurie Williams was the twelfth recipient of Wanderers Life Membership (his father George, fourth). We extend our condolences to Laurie's family, he was a true gentleman and much loved by all who knew him. |
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The books are now available ($40 including packaging and postage) and can be ordered on Mike's email at [email protected].
Supply him with a postal address and send your money to: Bank: My State Account name: Michael Augustine Jenkinson BSB: 807009 Account number: 30078101 $10 from each book sold through this promotion will be donated to Wanderers. |
A Dangerous Breed
The excellent African rugby adventures of the 1963 Wallabies Towards the end of 90 days in Africa the veterans among the 1963 Wallabies described their experiences as the 'tour of tours'. In those distant, amateur times a long tour was the ultimate rugby reward. After arriving as rank outsiders, they had won two of four Tests against the mighty Springboks, including history's only Wallaby win in Johannesburg. They inflicted the first successive home Test losses on the de facto world champions since 1896. Although the young Wallabies were hailed as 'immortals', Rob Heming feared they were running out of time by 2017. The team elder asked Mike Jenkinson (1963-67 Wanderer) to 'get our story down before it's too late'. Teammates Dick Marks and Keith Walsham agreed to contribute. So did their '63 opponent Tom Bedford who had political as well as rugby stories to spin. Surviving Wallabies contributed interviews and funding for a self-publishing exercise. A Dangerous Breed emerged as a view from both sides of an unforgettable, amateur sporting adventure in a strange society and a different time. Rugby historian Ian Deihm believes it should be compulsory reading for all new Wallabies. The '63 team included two Wanderers (Phil Hawthorne and Mike) as well as Keith Walsham from Newcatle Uni and Terry Casey, a Newcastle lad who was playing for St George in Sydney at the time. The touring party included a record 10 NSW Country players. |
