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Features
Rugby’s
Holy Grail
By
LCDR Antony Underwood
Navy’s Command Rugby teams will clash in the inaugural Inter-Command
Rugby Challenge at Coogee Oval, Sydney, this afternoon (April
22).
The Challenge, which follows on from the annual Mons Cup played
at Macquarie University on April 7, represents an opportunity
for the Maritime and Systems Commanders to demonstrate the prowess
of their Rugby enthusiasts and esprit de corps of the people under
their respective commands.
And for the players, it’s make or break time: those with
ambitions to take it up to the Army and Air Force later in the
season will be expected to demonstrate in the Challenge that they’re
worth a Navy jersey.
“Speaking for Systems Command, I expect a good turnout for
the event from Establishments in the Sydney area,” said Commander
Australian Navy Systems Command CDRE Russ Crane, “and I’m
sure RADM Raydon Gates expects a similar crowd from ships’
companies and other units under his command.”
It was CDRE Crane who raised the challenge at the last Chief of
Navy’s Symposium.
After canvassing the Strategic Priorities for Navy enshrined in
‘the 7Rs’ - recruiting, retention, reconstitution, re-equipping,
realignment, resourcing and reputation - the Systems Commander
went further.
“And don’t forget the 8th R - that’s Rugby,”
he said pointedly to the Maritime Commander, “- your team,
your place: we’ll be there!”
RADM Gates was quick to accept CDRE Crane’s challenge and
the Inter-Command Rugby Challenge was born.
The trophy at stake for the main match is the Royal Australian
Navy Challenge Cup. Presented by the (then) Governor General,
Lord Denham, in 1922, the cup was used as a rugby trophy within
the Fleet.
Last used in 1939, the cup bears the names of a number of our
distinguished ships of the past - HMA Ships Australia (I), Albatross
(I) and Sydney’s (I and II).
The cup will be presented by former Wallaby, former Lord Mayor
of Sydney and former Chairman of SBS, Sir Nicholas Shehadie.
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RADM
Gates
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‘Ready
and Resolute’ to take up any challenge at a moments notice,
Maritime Command is looking forward to taking up the 2004 Inter-Command
Rugby challenge on 22 April at Coogee Oval.
As part of the ongoing reconstitution efforts to refresh our people,
it is pleasing to be a part of a day that will enhance our Command
relationships in a relaxed and friendly setting? The rugby battlefield.
Teamwork, commitment and dedication are all essential components
to meeting the Fleet’s ongoing daily operational requirements
and manitaining the Fleet’s readiness and preparation for
whatever operational challenges that may lie ahead. I am assured
that the Fleet personnel, both supporters and players, will enjoy
the opportunity to further enhance their team skills and actively
take part in the day.
I invite all our supporters to wear the Fleet colours of yellow
and blue and wish our teams every success on the day.
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CDRE
Crane
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My challenge to the Maritime Commander at the Navy Symposium last
year was intended to have certain outcomes. Firstly, the rugby
challenge promotes the identity of both Systems Command and Maritime
Command. It is aimed at developing esprit de corps and contributing
to the enhancement of morale within the Commands.
In short, it provides an opportunity to get out of the work environment,
meet your mates and have some fun.
It is the intention to have some fun that particularly drives
the Inter-Command Rugby Challenge. The challenge stems from a
proud history in the RAN of encouraging teamwork, mateship and
leadership that can be adapted from intense operational environments
to informal pastimes, especially sport. It also provides some
friendly rivalry between Systems Command and Maritime Command
that inspires esprit de corp.
The Systems Command Rugby teams are made up of members from throughout
the Command, with a very broad cross section of skills, but all
honed to achieving one objective - success on the rugby field.
I know they will give their very best and enjoy the experience.
I am also confident that those spectators who attend the games
will be ‘dazzled’ with a great spectacle of Navy rugby.
I encourage you all to attend, wear red and support your Systems
Command teams.
Program
of events
10.45:
Colts
12.30: Women’s match
14.00: Men’s match
All matches will be played at Coogee Oval in Sydney.
Maritime
Command Squad
|
Systems
Command Squad |
| LEUT
Hawke
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LEUT
Letts
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| LEUT
Thomson
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MIDN
Breckell
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| SBLT
Mathies
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MIDN
Sweetenham
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| PO
Hyam
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CPO
Bertoncin
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PO
Gerraghty
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CPO
Winkler
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| PO
Thorpe
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PO
Spinney
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| PO
Boardman
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PO
Knight
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| LS
Alcroft
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PO
McMillan
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| AB
Robson
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PO
Williams
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| AB
Jeffrey
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PO
Guppy |
| AB
Treloar
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PO
Dickson
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| AB
Harrington
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LS
Thomson
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| AB
Deagon
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LS
Hilyard
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| AB
Megahey
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LSCD
Harpe |
| AB
Briggs
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LS
Tanaka
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| AB
Lancaster
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LS
Bohan |
| AB
Edwards
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LS
Theodore
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| AB
Ayriss
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AB
Sheargold
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| AB
Coughlen
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SMN
Halliday
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| AB
Bretag
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SMNMED
Williams
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| AB
Hawke
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SMNCIS
Harrington
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AB
Peterson
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SMN
Harris |
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SMN
Hunt |
Crusaders
capture cup
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Canberra’s
Crusaders beat Army for the main prize.
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Action
from
this year’s Mons Cup in Sydney.
Photos: ABPHs Helen Frank and Brenton Freind
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Action
from
this year’s Mons Cup in Sydney.
Photos: ABPHs Helen Frank and Brenton Freind
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Action
from
this year’s Mons Cup in Sydney.
Photos: ABPHs Helen Frank and Brenton Freind
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Canberra’s
Crusaders Rugby (combined ADFA/Harman) side has crushed a
gallant Army team to raid this year’s Mons Cup.
A total of 15 sides competed for the title of Mons Cup champion,
with teams travelling from Nowra, Canberra and Melbourne to
compete.
Played at Macquarie University on April 7, the day was chock-a-block
full of action-packed Rugby.
After a rollicking first round, the Quarter Finals proved
disappointingly one-sided, with wide margins in three of the
matches.
Canberra Crusaders progressed through their pool games with
impressive wins over HMAS Manoora, HMAS Anzac and a determined
3RAR A outfit.
However, the Semis proved much closer. HMAS Albatross put
paid to the Sydney Engineers’ aspirations with an 8-nil
win in the first Semi Final, while in a tough and bruising
encounter, the Crusaders confirmed their earlier form.
In the second clash between the pair, a gallant 3RAR A went
down to the Crusaders 12-5.
The final was a beauty, with the Crusaders coming up against
the Albatross Birdies.
They had enjoyed wins throughout the day over HMAS Watson,
FIMA Famers, HMAS Sydney, Team RIMPAC and Sydney Engineers.
The Birdies proved worthy contenders for the title, however
could not gain the upper hand against a strong Crusaders’
defence.
CDRE Russ Crane was on hand to present Albatross Birdies with
the Wally Long Plate for runners-up on the day.
Preceding the final was an outstanding Women’s Rugby
7s exhibition match between Kuttabul Greens and a Barbarian
Black outfit. The Greens proved too strong on the day winning
22-10.
Sponsored by Navy Health.
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