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April, 2016
Hi
Presidents Message
The seniors 2016 season will kick off on the 2nd April. Our first game is away against the University of Wollongong. The
guys have been training hard and we're looking forward to a good season of great rugby. You can check the seniors
fixtures on the website. It would be great to see lots of supporters at our home games to support the senior teams. Food
and drink are always available, so come and enjoy an afternoon of rugby soon.
On 15th April at 1pm we will be hosting the Business Mens Luncheon at the Clubhouse. We are delighted to announce
that Glen Ella and Mick O'Connor will be our guest speakers at the event this year and the MC will be John Lambie. Not
one to be missed! Tickets are $150 and include a 3 course meal, beer and wine for 4 hours. Call me on 0424 565 325 to
book your ticket or table of 10. Tickets are limited, so be quick!
The 2016 kit has been finalised and I would like to thank all our generous sponsors for their support this year. See pages 2
and 3 for the 2016 season kit.
See you at training!
Regards,
Mark Freund
President
2016 Seniors Kit
Seniors News
The seniors continue with their commitment to training in the lead up to the season kick off on April 2nd. The trial games
all went really well. Three things have stood out this month. 1). The most promising thing we have seen is the squad's
overall fitness has improved. 2). our pattern of attack has improved and 3). The defence play is promising, which is linked
to fitness and translating in to our games.
We are training every Tuesday and Thursday, as well as holding Monday night fitness sessions at F45 Training and The
Shed in Bowral.
Please come down and support the teams if you can. Food and drink will be available as always.
Illawarra have released a draft version of the Juniors draw, with the first games being held on 3 April. Further information
will be posted on the website as we receive it.
We are still looking for a volunteer to take over from Greg Samsa to look after the Equipment Shed and Change Rooms,
and also someone to volunteer to be the Canteen Coordinator. Please contact me if interested on 0421 992 010 or
As the season gets underway we'll be posting match reports on the website and presenting the best pictures and stories
in this newsletter each month. We welcome all photos and other submissions from parents and supporters, please send
them to [email protected]
Juniors News
2016 Season Kit
The Junior Gold Cup is the ARU’s pathways competition for representative players in the U15U17 age bracket. Now
in its third year the JGC is a crucial stepping stone in the ARU’s Pathway to Gold program which is designed to
create the next generation of elite talent in Australian rugby.
This year the structure of the JGC was updated, with Illawarra fielding a standalone team in the U15 age group, and
forming part of the Southern Province team in the U17 age group, who in turn were affiliated with the Greater Sydney
Rams NRC team.
Bowral Blacks were well represented again in this year's JGC program, with Max Loiterton and Windsor Akrigg in the
U15 Illawarra team, and Lachie Frean, Darcy Cotton and Tyrell Deku in the U17 Southern Province team.
The U15 Illawarra team continued the improvement in skills and development, and although they didn't come away
with a win this year, they pushed most of their opponents very hard especially semifinalists Western NSW where
they led for much of the match but ultimately fell to a stronger and bigger side.
The U17 Southern province side notched a great win against South Australia but suffered from injuries to several key
players which weakened their run to the semis.
Once again we can be proud of our young men representing their club and district with distinction.
Junior Gold
2016 Juniors Kit
Darcy Cotton Lachie Frean
Windsor Akkrig testing the Western NSW defence
Max Loiterton at scrum half for Illawarra
Last month Bowral Blacks participated in the launch of the Livingston Rugby Club in Zambia. David, Jake and
Finn Loiterton travelled to Zambia with a group of coaches and players including dual international Lote Tuquiri,
NSW Rugby Development Manager Matt Evrard and Hong Kong Womens Head Coach Jo Hull as part of a 2
pronged rugby development program.
Firstly, with Tag Rugby Trust the coaches worked in local primary schools to introduce tag rugby to young kids.
After 3 days of games, selection and then training, 8 local schools participated in a round robin tournament. This
was the first time any of these kids had seen a rugby ball, let alone played, and they all had a great day.
Secondly, the trip was to officially launch the Livingston Rhinos Rugby Club, with dignitaries from the Zambia and
Zimbabwe Rugby Unions attending. After working with the primary schools in the mornings, David, Jake and Finn
and the other coaches worked with the Rhinos U14s and U19s sides, preparing for their firstever games against
the visiting Zimbabwe teams. Jake and Finn plus 3 other members of the group played with the Rhinos against an
experienced, fast and physical Zimbabwe team, who ultimately prevailed but only after a spirited showing from the
Rhinos.
The tour was a huge success with Rhinos successfully playing their first games and hundreds of primary school
kids introduced to rugby and who can now play tag every Saturday at the Rhinos ground.
The group also brought over hundreds of jerseys, girls sports gear, boots, shorts and balls including 60 Bowral
Blacks training jerseys which were left with the club and the schools. Bowral Blacks also donated a bicycle to the
Rhinos so its young coaches can get out to the schools and villages and continue to help develop rugby in
Zambia.
Zambia Rugby Trip
Tyrell Deku
A Conversation With...Robin CrokerClub Founder, Life Member, Past President, 5/8, Inside Centre, Fullback. Captain, Canberra Cup 1973Premiership Winning Side.
Dennis: Croke, an inspired decision 44 years ago to form the Bowral Blacks. How did it all come about?Robin: I was living in Bowral and travelling to the North West Region competition each week to play with my old
club, Walcha. I loved the rugby there but always wondered if there were any local lads who might like to play in a
local competition. In January 1972 I made contact with a handful of lads who I knew had played at school, Uni or
other districts. I then placed an advertisement in the classified section of the local paper inviting interested players
to attend a training session on a Sunday afternoon at Chevalier College. Twenty players turned up which meant
we had the numbers for a team. There was great enthusiasm.
The next major challenge was to find a competition in which to play. We were not strong and only fielding one
team so Sydney, Wollongong, Lower Blue Mountains and the North West Region were out but a chance meeting
with a Canberra official resulted in an invitation to play in the Canberra Cup. We joined country clubs Yass and
Cooma and later Goulburn and Canberra Clubs Woden, Easts, University and RMC in this competition. The
playing strip was easy. Black jumper with gold numbers, black shorts, socks with gold tops, hence the Bowral
Blacks.
We made the Grand Final in that year but were beaten by Yass. In 1973 we fielded two teams and were
successful in beating Yass in the First Grade Grand Final. Our first premiership. A strong bond existed between
players of that time where life long friendships were formed not just within the Blacks but with players from other
clubs.
Blacks History From the Archives
So Bowral Blacks now have a sister club in Zambia and we hope to continue to strengthen the ties by helping a
Rhinos team come over to our Southern Highlands 7s in 2017.
Dennis: You are a Life Member and have maintained a 44 year stewardship of the Bowral Rugby Club. What do
you see as the most significant achievements of the Club in that time?
Robin: The outstanding achievement for me is that the Club has always provided an opportunity for a wide crosssection of the community to get together and share a love of Rugby. The club is always welcoming of every player
and generates a sense of belonging and promotes mateship. Many of the friendships between players continues
today. I believe that the friendships, the mutual respect and the camaraderie that exists has helped us throughout or
lives.
I have also truly appreciated the calibre of the people who have lead and managed the Club over the years. These
men and women have maintained composure in difficult times and exercised wisdom to facilitate the development of
the Club at all times. One such leader is our current President, Mark Freund who has been most significant in
seeing the Club through hard times and leading us into revival.
Dennis: Croke, How would you like the Club to be in 10 years time?Robin: There are three things I would like to see happening. The first is that I would like to see the Club continue tobe inclusive of all players who would like to play rugby and in doing so provide opportunity for friendships to flourish
where players and supporters "look out for each other" not just on the field but in life. Secondly I would like to think
that we can always field competitive teams in all grades. And lastly, I would like to see more of our junior players
and those from our local rugby schools joining the senior ranks and enjoying all that rugby has to offer.
Thank you, Croke. It's been a pleasure.
Robin 'Croke' Croker fending off a Yass player
Whenever one came across Austen in the street he always looked like he had just stepped off a yacht. Suntanned,
wearing brown loafers, baggy white linen shorts, a shirt or rugby jumper with the collar turned up. His welcome was
equally sunny. He would enquire about one's health, family and the state of the Bowral Blacks. Having gleaned the
necessary information he was on the move.
When Austen was the Club President in the mid 70's committee meetings were equally efficient. A ritual shot of rum
was always consumed by Austen followed by a beer before the meeting commenced. This regime intrigued
everyone. We were unaware that Austen had served in the Navy as a young man and it is known that sailors and
their daily issue of rum is habit forming. Meetings were crisp affairs because Austen applied his intellectual acuity to
"cut straight to the chase" of the matter.
During Austen's leadership the issue of a change to the competition in which we played was decided. Austen
understood that the Canberra Cup competition afforded great fellowship with other clubs but that the distances
travelled was a concern for life and limb. The Illawarra competition provided regular matches for our firsts, seconds
and third grade sides and greater opportunity for our representative players to impress.
Austen understood the game of rugby perfectly. He was astute to its many nuances and because of these skills and
this knowledge became invaluable as the Chairman of Selectors for the Blacks and as a selector for NSW Rugby.
Austen's forte was in the provision of a wellbalanced side. He was able to ensure the skills of one player matched,
complimented or compensated for those of another.
Austen was elected President of NSW Country Rugby Union and held that position from 1993 1995. This was a very
demanding role but whenever possible he and Elizabeth would be at the local Blacks matches to watch their son
Michael play or the teams that Michael later coached.
A great joy for Austen was to gather together a group of mates and fly to New Zealand for Bledisloe Cup matches.
Austen recently chastised the Blacks for not having approached him for a donation in support of the building project
to renovate the clubhouse. This was quickly rectified and Austen responded with generosity.
Austen's wisdom, passion, dedication, forthright attitude and his many achievements and initiatives have ensured that
the Club will continue to prosper on the Highlands.
He has imprinted his love of rugby on the Bowral Blacks Rugby Club.
Dennis Mudd
Vale Austen Richardson
