Results of the 2015 Annual General Meeting

On Wednesday night, dedicated members of the University of Newcastle Rugby Union Club got together to reflect upon the last year and look towards the future of the club. In doing so a number of critical seats in the club's organization went to election. As follows are the Club Leaders for 2016:

Club President: Tom Angus
Vice President: Stephen Johnston & Paul Heanly
Secretary: Graham Campbell
Assistant Secretary: Alexander Frost
Treasurer: Nick Carter
Committee Members:   Jason Buffier
                                        Graham Eather
                                        David Hassab
                                        Michael Handley
                                        Henry Lovett
                                        Paul Tracey
                                        Robert Walsh (Student Sport Advisory Committee Representative)
Club Co-Captains: Jack Rixon & Darcy Barker

Due to work commitments Jason Buffier has had to stand down from the position of Vice President but, the unstoppable force he is, will still be contributing as a member of the committee. The meeting moved a vote of gratitude to Jason for his tireless work in helping lead the Club through difficult times over the last few years & it is largely due to his endeavours that the Club is now in a strong financial & competitive position.

Great to see young Seahorses volunteering to take leadership roles within the Club with last season's Club Captain, Buddha taking on the V-P role, Frosty our new Ass Secretary, as well as Fast Handles, Salty, Walshy, Darcy & Ricko standing on the committee. Involving such people at an early stage in their careers continues the policy of empowering the membership and building the foundation for strong leadership into the future. Anyone who feels they can also contribute please contact Tom or Buddha as the job is never complete.

New Life Membership Inductees for 2016

Andrew Wilson for 200 Club games between 1995 & 2005
David Woods for 200 Club games between 1994 & 2006
Nathan Jones for 200 Club games between 2000 & 2014
Jack Caldwell for 200 Club games between 1961 & 1975
Peter New for 200 Club games between 1963 & 1976
Barry Mullard for Services to the Club including our longest serving President from 2006 to 2012

Club statistics have recently been updated with recognition given to games played before 1967, when accurate records were commenced, and will soon be available on-line.  

Coaching positions were also confirmed with Mark O'Brien appointed 1sts grade coach and Club stalwart Scott Howard 3rd grade coach. Discussions are currently taking place with interested parties for the other positions and will be finalised pending the release of the 2016 NHRU competition structure due 26 October.
 

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Pre-Season has Started!

Do you even lift, bro?

Pre-season training for the 2016 season has already start with Mark O'Brien taking the reins to whip the boys into shape. The focus of this early pre-season is firmly on building size and muscle at the High Performance Gym and speed & agility in field sessions a few times a week. Sessions have already started so check the Seahorse Facebook Page, and the November schedule is as follows:

Thu 12th November    6.00pm    On field games, run by TBA    Oval No. 2
Sat 14th November    10.30am    Guns Day + Sprints    HPTZ + Oval No.2
            
Wed 18th November    6.00am    Legs Day    HPTZ
Thu 19th November    6.00pm    On field games, run by TBA    Oval No. 2
Sat 21st November    10.30am    Guns Day + Sprints    HPTZ + Oval No.2
            
Wed 25th November    6.00am    Legs Day    HPTZ
Thu 26th November    6.00pm    On field games, run by TBA    Oval No. 2
Sat 28th November    10.30am    Guns Day + Sprints    HPTZ + Oval No.2


So if you have a gym schedule already to sculpt and ready the guns for beach season, you may as well train with all your mates where it will be twice as fun. If you don't have a schedule, get your arse into the gym with the boys and get into the shape. Chicks dig fit rugby players so it will come in handy when you're on the town.
 

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Dom Punch Appeal at the Albion Hotel

The University of Newcastle Rugby Union Club in conjunction with the Albion Hotel are holding a fundraising event for the injured Maitland Blacks hooker Dom Punch. Dom severely injured two vertebrae in his spine in a collapsed scrum during the NHRU Second Grade Grand Final. In an effort to raise some money for him and his family, Uni Rugby and the Albion Hotel are holding a 'Dig Deep for Dom' Day on Sunday the 8th of November which kicks off at 1:30pm.



We have managed to secure some prime sponsors in Dom's cause, including Tooheys who have given us a 90L Esky to raffle off including 90 tinnies of New to fill the sucker with. We will be playing 'Beer Bingo', where every hour players can pay to play a round of bingo and the winner will score some free schooners. Additionally, with every bucket of Coronas we sell, $5 will go directly to the Dom Punch Appeal, as well as all proceeds from merchandise we will be selling on the day. Finally, to keep everyone entertained throughout the afternoon, we will be having the Johno Lloyd Duo rocking the house from 2pm until 5pm!

More events and activities for the day are yet to be announced so check the Albion website & Facebook page for more information.
 

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We're Club of the Year!

At the 2015 Grand Final, the University of Newcastle Rugby Union Club was awarded the 2015 Tooheys Club of the Year! The award was accepted by tireless club president Tom Angus on the Grand Final podium.