PACKED HOUSE FOR SPORTS LUNCHEON

Players who have passed away and the family member who collected the NSW cap were (playing year order):

  • Cyril Burke BEM (half back) – 37 matches - 1946-58 - NSW Cap No.784 …. son, Bruce Burke

  • John (Jack) Marshall (wing) – 7 matches - 1948-49 - NSW Cap No. 827 …. son , Lindsay Marshall

  • David Bowtell (fullback) – 1 match - 1953 - NSW Cap No.887 … son, Jeff Bowtell

  • Ray Frost (lock) – 1 match - 1955 - NSW Cap No. 913 … Wife, Claire Frost

  • Bill Gahan (front row) - 4 matches - 1955-57 - NSW Cap No. 925 … son, James Gahan

  • Ken Chambers (second row) – 2 matches – 1957 - NSW Cap No. 933 … to be presented

  • John Hipwell OAM (half back) – 27 matches - 1968-81 - NSW Cap No. 1091 … sister, Marcia Kolasinski

Former club player, Dominic Vaughan (half back) – 4 matches – 1983-90 – NSW Cap No. 1243) accepted an invitation to attend the luncheon as he represented NSW from the Warringah club in Sydney having previously played with The Waratahs

A ‘founding father’ of The Waratahs Rugby Union Club in the 1940s, Ern Howarth, was also acknowledged for playing five matches for NSW in 1933-35 and being a NSW selector in 1939. His granddaughter, Amber Carson, and grandson, Michael Jones, accepted their grandfather’s cap.

NSW Women Players

Three women players who were members of The Waratahs and represented NSW have already been presented with their caps at a function in Sydney. They are: 

  • Katrina Barker (inside centre) – 31 matches* - 12 matches 2018-2020 when playing for The Waratahs – NSW Women’s Cap No. 122

  • Maya Stewart (right wing) – 24 matches* - 9 matches 2019-2020 when playing for The Waratahs – NSW Women’s Cap No.150

  • Kelly Sager (hooker) – 27 matches - represented NSW before playing for The Waratahs but represented Australia while playing for the club – NSW Women’s Cap No.66

(* Katrina and Maya are current NSW women’s squad members)

Guest Speaker

Peter Murphy, whose foundation was established in 2017 as the official charity and social impact program of the NSW Rugby Union, said it was highly unusual to see so many NSW representatives come from the one club.

“The Waratahs, and indeed Newcastle and the Hunter Region, should be proud to see the above number of players from a local club represent their State over such a long period,” said Peter.

“We know that Cyril Burke, Declan Curran, Mike Fitzgerald, Ron Harvey, John Hipwell, Peter Horton, Jack Marshall, Dominic Vaughan, Maya Stewart and Kelly Sager gained senior Australian honours – the deeds of Cyril and John having just been recognised by their induction into the NSW Rugby Hall of Fame which has been established as part of our NSW Rugby’s 150th Anniversary.”

“I am honoured to be Guest Speaker at the Sports Luncheon and present the caps. It is a popular event and it is pleasing to see NSW Rugby and The Waratahs work together as the State body organises the presentation of about 1,000 caps to past and present NSW players during the 150th Anniversary celebrations.”

Peter added that NSW Rugby has announced the formation of a Cap Alumni as a special initiative to honour NSW’s great rugby players and pay tribute to past alumni who missed on their debutant caps during their playing careers.

‘Anniversary’ Grand Final Teams

Paul Paisley said the Sports Luncheon also celebrated the ‘anniversary’ of five of The Waratahs teams that played in past Grand Finals, the teams being:

  • 40th anniversary - 1984 Reserve Grade Grand Final (Runners-Up)

  • 40th anniversary - 1984 Third Grade Grand Final (Runners-Up)

  • 50th anniversary - 1974 Third Grade Grand Final (Joint Major Premiers)

  • 60th anniversary - 1964 Reserve Grade Grand Final (Runners Up/Minor Premiers)

  • 60th anniversary - 1964 Third Grade Grand Final (Major Premiers) 

“Many of our players from the five teams as well as members of the Old Boys’ Association attended the luncheon which is the social highlight of The Waratahs season,” said Paul.

Sponsors and supports of the function include Churchills Carpet Court, Hamilton North Bowling Club, Thomas Allen Wines, Tooheys, NSW Rugby Union, Australian Rugby Union and ACT Brumbies Rugby Union.

In the following photo …

Enjoying themselves at The Waratahs Rugby Union Club’s 2024 Sports Luncheon and NSW Rugby Cap Presentation are

Back row – Mike Fitzgerald (NSW Cap No.1161), Declan Curran (NSW Cap No. 1209) Lindsay Marshal (son of John (Jack) Marshall NSW Cap No. 827), Michael Jones and Amber Carson (grandson and granddaughter of Ern Howarth NSW Cap No. 670) and James Gahan (son of Bill Gahan NSW Cap No. 925).

Front Row – Jeff Bowtell (son of David Bowtell NSW Cap No.887), Dominic Vaughan (NSW Cap No.1243), Peter Murphy (NSW Positive Rugby Foundation), Ron Harvey (NSW Cap.No 907, Marcia Kolasinski (sister of John Hipwell NSW Cap No.1091), Claire Frost (wife of Ray Frost NSW Cap No.913) and Bruce Burke (son of Cyril Burke NSW Cap No.784).