Willoughby Roos Season 2020

Welcome to the Willoughby Roos 2020 season.

We are excited to FINALLY be able to get back to training and games. It certainly has been a very different season to previous years and it will continue to be so. As much as we are excited to see the kids back on the field we want to make sure everyone is SAFE!

Covid-19 Return to Play

The first game of the 2020 season is scheduled for Saturday 18 Jul 2020 and following are COVID-19 protocols and guidelines that we must observe on game day. As the Club takes this very seriously, we would be very grateful for your support with this to ensure an enjoyable day for the kids.

Don’t participate if you have symptoms
Get in, play, get out – once the game is over please don’t hang around the ground
1.5m distance between people on team bench
NO sharing of:
- personal equipment i.e. boots, headgear, mouth-guards
- water bottles – bring your own water bottle and make sure it is easily identifiable
- DH & FR vests
- halftime fruit
Drinks breaks have been added to the match schedule as trainers are not allowed to run water onto the field
Attendance Register maintained including players, coaching personnel and officials
Essential participants only, restrict spectators to two parent/carer per child
Spectators are away from the field and observing social distancing at all times
Players: no spitting, handshakes, high fives

Alert: Star City Confirmed Case

Following the announcement of the confirmed Covid-19 case at Star City, in the interests of being vigilant, we would like to request that if you were at Star City on or around 4th July please DO NOT participate in this week’s training or games.

Home Games

Due to this being a reduced season and that Willoughby Park will be undergoing an upgrade as of the end of August we only have 2 home game days at our ground.

Home Game Schedule

Round 2 Sat 25 July

Round 4 Sat 8 August

Every home game day is an important event for the Willoughby Roos. The Roos committee ensure every event is set up and maintained for the enjoyment and safety for all.

We have a Canteen open from 8:30am. Last year we have added EFTPOS facilities which worked extremely well and will continue this season. We will have to put in certain protocols this year to operate a canteen and BBQ in order to ensure we are Covid Safe, these will be communicated to you all prior to our first home game on 25th July.

Volunteers Needed

As you know the Willoughby Roos Club is run by volunteers and without your help, Home Game Days would not be possible.

All we ask of every team is 2 volunteers for 45 mins to 1 hour after the age group has played to help out with the BBQ and Canteen Duties.

We will be using SignUpGenius to allow parents and carers to easily volunteer. This system will be emailed to every registered email at the beginning of the Home game week. Please look out for it!

So please “Sign Up” and help make every home game experience fun and enjoyable!

Final Note

We are very excited that we have had an increase in registrations this year resulting in two teams in the age groups of Under 6s, Under 10s and Under 13s Girls League Tag.

THANK YOU for choosing Willoughby Roos as your favourite Junior Footy Club.

We love our footy and LOVE seeing all the girls and boys having fun and making lifelong friendships.

Please show your support and like us on Facebook and Instagram (and now Tik Tok) so you can keep updated on all Roos events, photos and match results!

GO ROOS!

Regards

Willoughby Roos Committee

Roos News September

Welcome to Roos News!

Can you believe the season is over? Neither can we! However what a way to end the season with three teams in the Grand Final on the 31st August at North Sydney Oval, and ALL three walked away winners!

Under 9s Gold

Congratulations to Jason, Andrew and Lee on the tight win over the Asquith Magpies, 42 to 40. The MVP was Zac Nachabe.

Under 10s

You can see the relief on Marty’s face below, it was another tight game, with the Under 10s coming away winners over the Ku-ring-gah Cubs 18 to 12. The MVP was Anthony Abdo.

Under 12s Bronze

Congratulations to Brett and Craig, and a HUGE special mention to coach Vinny – his first time at the helm, and the Under 12s won 24 to 10 over the Hills Hawks. The MVP was James Archer.

Parents Night Out

It was a great night out on 17 August for our first Roos Parents Night Out at Norths. We had close to 70 people come celebrate the 2019 season. It was a night of food, drinks, speeches, celebration and a bit of dancing!

It was a huge success (with everyone wearing their touch of PINK to celebrate Women in League Round) and we will be adding it to the social calendar for next year. I am sure there were a few sore heads the next day.

Life Member Award

We recently awarded Life Membership to John (Tex) Armstrong.

John was a valued coach, trainer and committee member who also helped mould the North Sydney Junior Rugby League. Roos committee member Chris Maher fondly remembers John as a great bloke who made sure that all kids had a run and that everyone made it to game days no matter how full his car was. His love of the Club rubbed off onto his son Gary and grandsons Rhys and Jake who all played and contributed to the mighty Roos.

We congratulate John on his Life Membership which was proudly presented to him last week by his son Gary and grandsons Rhys and Jake.

Tommy Bishop Shield

On Sunday our Under 8s travelled to Illawong to compete in the Tommy Bishop Shield. This tournament is a round robin competition involving 28 teams from across the various districts in Sydney. Districts were encouraged to send their two top performing teams. There were four separate carnivals with every team playing at least five games.

In the past the Roos have not fared too well at this competition despite being in the top two teams within the North Sydney District. This year however saw our Under 8s win TWO games and narrowly missing out on the semis.

The courage and determination this squad of nine players showed was amazing, they displayed all the qualities of a true Roos player! Well done boys and Chi Chi!

Presentation Day

Keep your diaries clear on Sunday 20 October 2019. Festivities will be kicking off at 11am sharp and will run through until 3pm at Willoughby Park Bowling Club.

Kids are to wear their playing kit, minus the footy boots of course! It should be an awesome afternoon of celebration and FUN!

We look forward to seeing you all there! 🙂

As always a big shout out to our sponsors, your generosity is much appreciated!

Go Roos!

Regards

The Roos Committee

Roos News August 2019

Welcome to Roos News!

And just like that…….FINALS TIME is here! A HUGE congratulations to the Under 9s BLUE and the Under 10s for becoming the 2019 minor premiers in their grades. Wishing all our teams that have made the finals the very best of luck.

We have the majority of our teams playing at Willoughby Park this weekend as part of the finals, along with us welcoming some games from other clubs within the area. If you can assist on the canteen or BBQ on Saturday that would be a great help. Please register here

Volunteer of the Year

On the 4th August North Sydney Junior League held their annual Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony at North Sydney Oval. Each club in the District voted internally for a person they felt most deserved the honour. The winners were announced and presented with a plaque. The winner for the Willoughby Roos was Vicky Perdikaris.

Vicky is very well known to the Club as her role as secretary, a role which she worked tirelessly on to obtain the Roos NSWRL Blue Shield accreditation this year. Along with this Vicky manages two teams (Under 10s and the newly formed Under 13s League Tag side), assisting with making sure the canteen runs smoothly on all home games, from creating rosters, re-stocking supplies, manning the canteen and making a mean coffee. Vicky is always the first to put her hand up to help with anything and everything!

Congratulations Vicky!

Roos in the Media

We have been very lucky over the past month to be selected to appear in the Daily Telegraph and on the ABC News. The NRL are introducing in the coming months a new program being run out of Willoughby Park for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. They are looking to increase participation rates amongst the Chinese community within our area. You can find out more information on the program here (check out the video, you will see some familiar faces)

North Sydney Under 12s Development Squad

Giacomo Burke, Hayden Johns, James Archer and Taj Mailei were chosen last month in the final team for the North Sydney Bears development squad to take on Tamworth on 4th August at North Sydney Oval. This squad was the first to win the Mat Toshack Shield by defeating Tamworth 32-16. Well done boys!

Junior Crazy Sock Round

We were proud to support the Men of League Foundation’s initiative “Crazy Sock Round” in Round 14 on 27th July. Our Under 13s Girls League Team donned their socks for their game against the Cromer Kingfishers. The Men of League Foundation used the funds raised to help continue their work supporting men, women and children of the rugby league community who are doing it tough.

NSWRL Junior League Volunteer Recognition 2019

NSWRL are endeavouring to acknowledge and reward the amazing grass roots Clubs and Volunteers with a range of awards across all different facets of our game.

We are very fortunate that the Willoughby Roos have been nominated as NSWRL Grass Roots Club of the Year, which recognises a Club that has fostered participation and enjoyment for participants at all levels, has become an integral part of their community and has shown innovation in administration.

We have also been advised that Martin Irvine our President and Jodi Zimmer our Publicity Manager have been nominated for the NSWRL District Volunteer of the Year Award. The nominees in this category have provided excellent service to the game of Rugby League and will have made a measurable contribution to their community. The nominee would have demonstrated inclusivity, positivity, discipline and respect through their participation in their community through Rugby League.

The awards evening is being held at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Homebush on Thursday 22 August, fingers crossed for our nominees!

As always a big shout out to our sponsors, your generosity is much appreciated!

Go Roos!

Regards

The Roos Committee

Roos News July 2019

Welcome to Roos News!

With Round 12 done and dusted we can now enjoy a two week break over the school holidays! It will be well deserved as all our teams have had some great results over the past few rounds. When we return on the 27th July we will be heading into the final straight, with finals just around the corner.

Women’s State of Origin

We had a fantastic turn out at the Women’s State of Origin on the 21st June. We took 100 Roos players, family and supporters to North Sydney Oval to watch the mighty NSW blues win over the QLD Maroons. It was a great night out, we hope our families enjoyed themselves.

Also our very own Aqua Fisher, from the under 13s League Tag team, competed in the half time race. We are so proud of you Aqua, you ran an awesome race!

End of Season Function

Calling all Roos parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, supporters! Be sure to grab your tickets to our End of Season Party, to be held on 17th August at North Sydney Leagues Club.

Tickets are only $30 and you are sure to be in for a great night!

Get your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/end-of-season-party

Roos in the Community

We are always looking at ways we can support our local community, we have had two recent opportunities to give back by helping out two locals schools; Willoughby Public School and Marist Brothers in North Sydney.

Marty Irvine our Club president was able to procure two signed NSW Blues jerseys to donate to these schools for them to auction at their P&C and Parents & Friends events to raise much needed funds.

We are so grateful to help raise money for these schools as many of our young Roos attend WPS and Marist Brothers.

Volunteer Round

Round 12 was Volunteer Round for the Roos; North Sydney Junior Rugby League gave us two North Sydney Leagues Club vouchers to give to two people we wished to thank. Our committee got together and came up with some nominations and a final decision was made on the winners.

Here they are:

Lisa Partridge

“Lisa is always the first to put her hand up to help out at home games. She can always been seen at our canteen, always going above and beyond. Her significant contribution was during a recent home game where a polling booth was only just next door, we were inundated with customers and Lisa stayed and worked well beyond her allocated shift…..and did with a smile on her face! She may not think she makes a huge difference but she is seen as a valuable member of the Roos family.”

Lee Giddins

“Lee is a manager of not just one Under 9s team but two. He has to manage 19 players, their parents, three coaches and trainers. It is a massive role to take on and he has done so making it look easy. He is extremely organized and a great communicator, especially during the times where the teams are not playing at the same ground. We know that the team and those involved with it appreciate all that he does. He is a great asset to not only the under 9s teams but to our Club.”

CONGRATULATIONS Lisa and Lee!

As always a big shout out to our sponsors, your generosity is much appreciated!

Go Roos!

Regards

The Roos Committee

Roos News June 2019

Welcome to Roos News!

Can you believe we will be heading in to Round 9 on the weekend of 15/16 June, this season is flying by so quickly, before we know it, it will be finals time. We have been very impressed by how the teams have been performing so far and wish you all the best in keeping this up.

Election Day – Our Democracy Sausage

WOW! On the 18th of May was Election Day, it was also a home game. Bring those two things together and BANG, what a day at Willoughby Park. It was a mad house with orders of sausages on a rolls, bacon and egg rolls and of course our signature Roo roll coming in thick and fast, there were a lot of hungry voters!

A special shout out to those people who stayed and helped serve at the canteen, cook on the BBQ and did trips to Woolies to replenish our stock. Even though it was busy and stressful, it was a successful day for the Club in terms of monies raised. Thank you again!

Team work makes the dream work!

Mother’s Day

It was a wonderful Thursday night training session on the 9th of May for our mums. We hope all our mums had a great night and know how much we appreciate all they do for our club, from cheering from the sidelines to washing jerseys to cutting up oranges to serving in our canteen. We are hoping to make it a tradition at the Club to just stop, thank our mums and ensure they are spoilt either at a training session or game day around Mother’s Day.

NSWRL Junior League Volunteer Recognition

The NSWRL is endeavouring to acknowledge and reward the amazing grass roots Clubs and Volunteers with a range of awards across all different facets of the game.

From awards for coaches to clubs and volunteers, you have the opportunity to nominate both individuals and clubs for recognition of their hard work and commendable commitment to the game.

If there is someone (or multiple people) you feel should be nominated for what they do for our Club, here is your opportunity. Competition will be tough, however by simply nominating a person is often gratification enough for them to know they are making a difference.

There are various closing dates, some end this week, others next month. If you would like to nominate please click here

Women’s State of Origin

We would LOVE to take you to the Women’s State of Origin on Friday 21st June for FREE. We will be organising transport from Willoughby Park to North Sydney Oval and back again, starting from 5pm. We do understand not everyone can be there at that time, we will be running a later trip or two to the Oval.

If you are interested in attending please follow this link to order your tickets. There is a maximum of FOUR (4) per family. If ticket allocation is exhausted you will still be able to purchase via Ticketek or at the gate.

Our aim is to have a Roos area where we wear our Club colours with pride!

Assistance on Game Day

Thank you to all the parents, carers and friends who help us on game day by volunteering their time to help with the canteen, BBQ and adhoc jobs. It is very much appreciated.

Keep an eye out before a home game as your team manager will send you a link to SignUp Genius to register if you are able to help out on these days.

It is the unfortunate fact that if slots are not filled, it falls back to the coaches and managers (and others from the committee) to complete the outstanding duties themselves.

Many hands make light work!

As always a big shout out to our sponsors, your generosity is much appreciated!

Go Roos!

Regards

The Roos Committee

Roos News May 2019

Welcome to Roos News!

What a great start to the season for The Roos. We are so very proud of how all our teams have performed in the first four rounds of the footy season.

A big welcome to our two new coaches this year, Josh Taylor (Under 6s) and Vinny Graham (Under 12s), they are not new to the Club but they are new to their roles. Thank you for stepping up and taking on these rewarding coaching positions.

Girls League Tag

It was a great day last Saturday at ‘Ferretville’ where our Under 13s girls side ran out to play their first ever game for our Club.

There was such enthusiasm from the girls before, during and after the game. Even though they did not come away with the win against the Cromer Kingfishers it was such a great afternoon, their excitement was infectious, we loved watching them play.

Their game this week is at Tunks Park from 2:15pm on Saturday, if you get a chance and want to support the girls please head down there to watch them take on the North Sydney Brothers.

Assistance on Game Day

Thank you to all the parents, carers and friends who help us on game day by volunteering their time to help with the canteen, BBQ and adhoc jobs. It is very much appreciated.

Keep an eye out before a home game as your team manager will send you a link to SignUp Genius to register if you are able to help out on these days.

Many hands make light work!

“I am PROUD to be a Roo…..”

Back in March we created a video which formed part of a competition run by North Sydney Junior Rugby League. It was all about being a PROUD Roo, if you missed it click here

The idea was to create as much engagement with this video across our social media channels as we could, basically we needed people to watch it, LIKE it, COMMENT and SHARE it. Well, the winner was announced last week……………..and WE WON!

Without boring you all too much with stats, overall we reached 33,987 people and had over 1000 reactions, comments and shares.

We will be in touch shortly (we are working out the finer details) on what we have won for the Club. We are very excited!

Mother’s Day THIS Thursday

A reminder to all mums that we are celebrating YOU this Thursday at training from 5pm to 6:30pm.

As always a big shout out to our sponsors, your generosity is much appreciated!

Go Roos!

Regards

The Roos Committee