2017 CAS Premiers
From the Convenor of Rugby, John McCoy
The 2017 season will go down in the record books as one of the most successful years of rugby in Waverley College history. It was a season in which our teams were involved in the inaugural CAS Sevens tournament, we travelled across the ditch to the North Island of New Zealand, we came up against some of our old GPS rivals and Waverley College Rugby reinstated our name as the best rugby school in the CAS competition.
Waverley College fielded 22 sides in the 2017 rugby season. From the 73 CAS rugby matches Waverley College were involved with, as a school, we managed to win 58 games. A winning percentage of 80% – An outstanding result!
The highlight of the season was our 1st XV who defeated some extremely strong GPS sides and finished the season as 2017 CAS Premiers. With this came 10 players selected for NSW/Combined States and 4 players selected in the Australian Schoolboys/Barbarians. Congratulations to Mr Scott Coleman and Mr Paul Cornish who did amazing jobs leading the side, as well as Mr Kyle Newbury, Mr John Boyd and Mr James Horrocks who were heavily involved in the pre-season efforts which commenced in November 2016.
On top of this we also had awards given to our 2017 CAS Champions:
- 2nd XV (first 2nd XV CAS Premiership title since 2003!) – coached by Mr Newbury & Mr Boyd
- 3rd XV – Coached by Mr Peter Frost, Mr Stuart Donaldson & Mr Deon Smith
- 16Bs – Coached by Mr Jack Hopkins & Mr Isaac McKay
- 15Cs – Coached by Mr Zac Carr & Mr Nicholas Guerrera
- 14As – Coached by Mr Richard Bryant
- 13As (Tim Kava Shield Winners) – Coached by Mr Stephen O’Donnell & Mr Craig Bell
Presentation Night
Presentation Night was held last Friday night for players and families in the 13s to Opens age groups. Over 400 people gathered to celebrate what was an enjoyable night.
I would like to sincerely thank all the support in setting up the night from the members of the Rugby Supporter Group committee (and their families) including Darren and Lisa Ellis, Rino and Adela Tomasiello, John and Maureen Andrews, Terry and Tracey Murphy, Stu and Sue Donaldson, Tania Nand, Louise Mattick, Margie Morton and all those parents who helped on the night.
I would also like to thank all those families and friends who donated items on the night, including Mr Anthony Eyles who donated the wines served. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Farewell Year 12
On Friday night we said our final farewell to those rugby players from the Class of 2017 who represented Waverley College. It will be very sad to see such a fine group of men leave Waverley. We thank these students and all their families for their contribution and support of Waverley College Rugby. We wish them all the best for their futures on and off the playing field. Good luck and God Bless!
Special Thanks – Mr Greg Elliott, Head of Sport
Unfortunately, on Friday night there was an individual who I did forget to recognise publicly in my speech for his effort over the 2017 season. This was our Head of Sport, Mr Greg Elliott. Mr Elliott was appointed into the position of Head of Sport at the beginning of the year and has done a fantastic job. The position of Head of Sport is definitely not an easy role and Mr Elliott has done a tremendous job in ensuring the standards of sport at Waverley College continue to run at a high level. I sincerely thank Mr Elliott for the time and effort he has put into the sports program at Waverley College and congratulate him on a successful year at the helm.
Farewell & Thanks – Ellis Family
It is with mixed emotions that the Waverley College Rugby Community says farewell to the Ellis family (Darren, Lisa, Georgia, Joel and Tiarne) and thanks them for their many years of dedication to Waverley College Rugby through the Supporter Group. The amount of time the Ellis family has sacrificed to make things work each Saturday – stocking the canteen, cooking the BBQ, serving at the canteen, fixing the unexpected plumbing issues – we have been unbelievably blessed to have such a generous and giving family.
On the final Saturday of rugby for 2017 (against Knox Grammar), I had a chat to Mr Salvatore Riolo, who is the current President of the Old Boys’ Union. He shared with me a story that the Hayes family – whom the Queens Park Pavilion is named after (The Tom & Midge Hayes Pavilion) – were hoping to send some family down to Queens Park but could not make it. They did say that it would have been Midge Hayes’ birthday on that Saturday (against Knox) – who the Custard Pie was originally sung in honour of for her generosity as a host at Queens Park.
I have a funny feeling that Midge would have been pushing Joel over that line, in the amazing solo try he scored to help the 1st XV win the game, to give the Ellis family such a special memory that they will be able to keep forever. As a way of saying “thank you” for keeping the traditions of Waverley College Rugby well and truly alive. Thanks for everything Darren, Lisa and the Ellis family!
Thank You
On behalf of the Waverley College Rugby Community I would like to thank the following people who have contributed so much to the 2017 season.
- To Head of College, Mr Leddie for his leadership and support of Rugby at Waverley College.
- To Executive Members, Mr Brennan, Mr Frost (3rd XV Coach – CAS Champions) and Mr O’Donnell (13As Coach – CAS Champions). Special thanks must go to Mr O’Donnell who was wonderful in getting the 2017 New Zealand Rugby Tour up and running.
- To Head of Sport, Mr Greg Elliott, who, as mentioned above, has ensured the standards of sport at Waverley College continue to run at a high level.
- To the 1st XV, 2nd XV and 16A Coaching staff including Mr Paul Cornish, Mr Scott Coleman, Mr Kyle Newbury, Mr John Boyd, Mr James Horrocks and Mr Shaun Foley. Preseason training for this season commenced in November 2016, operated over the Summer Holidays (at Latham Park) and these men were present every step of the way. Mr Coleman and Mr Cornish are, without doubt, the best and most dedicated coaches any rugby club could hope for – we are just lucky they both bleed blue and gold!
- To all the coaching staff, who guided our boys through memorable victories and tight losses. Thank you.
- To all the referees, led by Mr Richard Chen. Thanks particularly to student referees Blake Thorn, Stephen Davies, Luke Harris, Sam Jagoe-Fisher & Joshua Conacher-Smith. We would not be able to enjoy our rugby without our wonderful officials.
- To the Rugby Supporter Group including President Darren Ellis, Rino Tomasiello (Tresurer), Craig Bell (Secretary), Terry and Tracey Murphy, John and Maureen Andrews, Brett McCormick, Tania Nand, Margie Morton, Louise Mattick and all those parents who gave their time to support the club.
- To Sue Donaldson and Lisa Ellis, who organised the 1st XV after match functions, and all the 1st XV & 2nd XV parents for their support of these important events. The food and hospitality was definitely best in the CAS (my shirts seemed to get tighter and tighter as the season went on!)
- To Ms Jennifer Divall, who helped create some of the best Saturday programs out of all CAS/GPS schools.
- To Mr John Kara, who did a fantastic job in supporting the set up of the Presentation Night.
- To Mr Lindsay Jordan, as well as the other contributors, who provided some super snaps of the rugby season which can be found on the “Waverley Sport” Facebook page.
- To all Waverley Rugby Parents for supporting rugby and for getting your boys to the matches at various locations across Sydney!
- To all Waverley Rugby Players who represented the school with a great deal of pride and passion. I would particularly like to highlight the efforts of all the seniors who led the rugby program so well and have inspired the next generation of Waverley College students. We are very proud of you!
Sadly, the final whistle has blown for the 2017 season. I hope all members of the Waverley College community have enjoyed this special journey as much as I have. I look forward to seeing you in 2018, for what looks to be another exciting season of Waverley College Rugby.
Waverley to Win!
