OLD COLLEAGUES NEWS APRIL2025
Old Colleague News April 2025
Welcome to the monthly edition of Old Colleagues News, a combined effort from Boothie and Vance Lowry (Author of Club history “Sky Blue Winters”)
These monthly emails will be both an update of the Clubs progress through the season (Old Boys perspective) and a historical piece of interest.
During the off season the Clubs Annual General Meeting was held with the club returning a profit and the balance sheet reveals a solid financial position. (From what iv’e seen and what I’ve been told) The clubs Executive personnel remain young quality Colleagues as you would expect.
Preseason has been positive with good numbers. The club toured to Orange to play the Emus and they were left to pick up the pieces after a Blue Giant wash. The club also played several trials against top opposition and are ready to roll this Sat 26th against last years Grand Finalists Hunters Hill at Boronia.
Should be an interesting day against old foe Hunters Hill christening their new club house positioned between the no1 and no2 fields.( I’m told an excellent view from the balcony). During the prolonged discussion with council a lady councillor was heard to say “All they want to do is watch football and drink beer” (Sounds reasonable enough to me). The Colleagues should expect a fired up ‘Hillies’ Kentwell on what will be a big afternoon for them.
Looking ahead SAVE THE DATE …..OLD COLLEAGUES DAY 10TH MAY
The Old Colleagues now have a whats app group. Tech savvy Older Colleagues can text me to join and keep up with weekly results and news.
“Go the Colleagues”
Boothie
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Womens Rugby
Woollahra Colleagues have always viewed inclusiveness as a key component in their mission statement. A more recent milestone in this philosophy is the introduction of a women’s rugby team into the club in 2025.
They will field a 10 aside team. The laws of 10s stipulate that the game is played in two twenty minute halves with each team consisting of 5 forwards and 5 backs.
The women had their first hit out exhibition match on the 17th of August 2024 where they faced an experienced Old Barker/Hunters Hill combination. Colleagues looked to be much smaller team. However, looks can be deceiving. The Colleagues snatched a memorable victory when they scored right on the full time bell, to gain a real confidence booster. Key ingredients of their success lay in their overall mode of play. Speed, continuity of phase play, and their general mobility augurs well for a promising future.
It is gratifying to see OnDeck come on board as the sponsor of this team.
This year the ladies will compete for the Joy Johnson Cup. The cup commenced in 2023 as a weekly 7’s competition with six teams. In 2024 the format was changed to a 10s competition with 9 clubs competing. Hornsby won the cup.
In 2023, subbies named their first women’s competition the “Joy Johnson Cup” in recognition of her splendid service to grassroots rugby. Joy Johnson was elected Secretary of the 700 member St Ives Club in 1989. Joy was one of the first female Club Secretaries and held the position for over 20 years at St Ives. Joy was a much loved and respected Life Member and Patron of the club. Joy also won the subbies Peter Kelly Medal for Service to Rugby in 2008. Sadly, Joy passed away in November 2024.
In 2025, the Colleagues women’s rugby team adds another patch to our Club’s already diverse and rich tapestry of history.
Vance Lowry (author of ‘Sky Blue Winters’)