Merewether.6523, Author at Merewether Carlton Rugby Club

RORY RYAN – FROM BALL BOY TO 1ST GRADE SCRUM HALF

Posted on July 1, 2022July 27, 2022 by Merewether.6523

Rory has been part of the furniture at the Greens since before he could crawl. He has been ball boy, mascot, junior player and number 1 supporter. Only son of Greens legend – ex-player, long time sponsor and die-hard supporter Pete Ryan, Rory was always going to bleed green.

You would be hard pressed to find anyone at the club that doesn’t know who Rory is and has fond memories of Rory getting around the Greens.

Rory played his first game for the Juniors in 2009 at 7 years of age and played every year in Juniors until he was old enough to play grade. Rory played rep footy from 2012 – 2018 with Wildfires and NSW Country Juniors 2017-2018, he made the NSW Country Colts in 2021. Rory then made his First Grade Debut 2021 v University (photo with Mick Gill below) and has been killing it ever since.

It’s great to see Rory’s progression from cheeky little Greens mascot and ball boy to not so little anymore 1st grade player!

Congrats Rory, it has been a great journey watching you grow at the club and we look forward to continuing to watch you grow.

From Jamie
In 2007 Merewether Carlton were first grade kings and club champs, Big girls don’t cry was a hit for Fergie, and Rory Ryan was 4 years old. Even at 4 he was a veteran at the grounds, ball boy, water boy, but mostly silly boy.

As green as Pete Alcock’s dulcet tones reading the score, a schnitzel burger or a try in green corner, this kid has seen it all. I’ve seen him as a kid, a teenager, a colt and now as a first grade scrum half. Many will reminisce of the good times and beers they have shared over many years with our own Rory Ryan, which in itself is quite an achievement for a 19 year old. Just like the photo (below), I’ve still got no hair and he has blonde hair, but the positions are swapped, and each weekend I get to see this great young guy out there putting on a masterclass and creating the next chapter in the story of Merewether Carlton. So keep being you mate, keep being silly, get Merewether Carlton back to the rightful place as kings and remember that big girls don’t cry. Jamie

GREENIES GROMMETS RAISE $8000 FOR RUNDIPG

Posted on July 1, 2022July 18, 2022 by Merewether.6523

Season 6 of our Greenies program is done and dusted and with over 120 participants and our special affiliation to RUN DIPG, we are excited to announce that we raised $8000.

These funds will help raise awareness and provide funding for continued research to a charity dedicated to improving outcomes for patients and their families impacted by the deadliest form of childhood cancer.

A donation from every registration, continued support from our amazing sponsors Mark Kentwell and the team at PRD Presence, Chris Passfied and Meg Penfold of Go Kindy and our very own Aiden Kelso of OSLEK Electrical helped us achieve this amazing milestone.

We can’t thank all our grommets and their families enough for your continued support and commitment helping us deliver an amazing program, year after year.

A special mention goes out to our incredible volunteers who set up, pack up, run sessions, cook the BBQ and run around town picking gear up. Thank you Sonya Chapman, Jay Strachan, Peta Salter, Tilly Wendtman, Liam Faughlin, Sam Bright, Kristy Ball, Ryan Goodman, Anna Chapman, Jack Mackay, Alicia Frost, Jock Wait, Ava Barretto, Chicky Sykiotis, Eli McCulloch, Gabbie Loades, Hannah Wilcox, Marc Knight, Sabrina Mancini, Will Frost, Matt Dubya and Brooklyn Kilsby.

To General Manager Troy Bailey, Professor Matt Dunn and the incredible RUN DIPG team keep up the great fight and it was an absolute pleasure working along side you guys.

GREENS FOUNDATION UPDATE

Posted on June 30, 2022July 18, 2022 by Merewether.6523

At its meeting on June 27th the Board of the Greens Foundation agreed to appoint Michael (Doc) Connors and Marc Knight to the Board of the Foundation.

Rob Monteath said the “Board looked forward to Doc’s skills in event organising especially regarding the Noel Burt Fundraiser and acknowledged his long-term commitment to the club’s players and its community. Doc has been a player and sponsor for decades and is keen to continue his involvement via the Foundation.”

The Board also welcomes Marc Knight to the Foundation Board. “The Board looks forward to benefiting from Marc’s experience in the mental health and wellbeing space and acknowledged his commitment as P2 Manager and his strong connection to the player body.” Rob said.

Rob said “the Foundation has an ambitious agenda ahead by its support of the purchase of Noel’s disability vehicle, delivery of club well-being programs, support the junior’s ambitions to tour in 2023 and further secure our use of and enhance the facilities at Townson, Gibbs and Empire. I think we have a board with the strength and commitment required to achieve these goals. We are confident that Marc and Doc will add great value to our efforts and thank them in advance.”

Gala Event Recap

Posted on June 23, 2022July 12, 2022 by Merewether.6523

The scene was set for a great celebration: The Greens Past Present and Future. Almost 200 gathered at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club last Saturday night June 18th to celebrate, eat drink and dance. Thanks to Paul O’Rourke who put on a great show. Loads of good food, plenty of drinks and the occasional cocktail was had. What a great venue. Check out the photos before and after it was invaded.

The raffle was a hit with great prizes including a fitbit, lunch at Botanica, George Gregan and All Black memorabilia, exclusive Italian wines and party buckets. All the winners were happy. Thanks all for digging deep to buy tickets. Special thanks to Nick and Simone Hatherly, Matt and Vanessa Gleeson and Andrew Beattie for your generosity in donating prizes.

Gina Terry and their band were fabulous and had the dancing full all night. We raised over $5,000 which will go to the Club welfare fund and operating budgets.

We expect now that “balls” are back we will have a huge event in 2023. Tell your friends they missed a fabulous night.

Sponsors Day 2022

Posted on June 6, 2022June 23, 2022 by Merewether.6523

Saturday saw Merewether Carlton’s Sponsors descend on Townson Oval for our annual Sponsors Day. The day is a chance for the club to show our appreciation for generous support received across our Senior, Junior, Grommets and Touch Programs. A number of sponsors joined in the presentation of Jerseys to our 1st Grade Team.

Chris Davis from PKF handing jersey to Jack Miller
Susan Walton, from Susan Walton Optometrist handing jersey to Ryan Goodman
Carl and Dylan Keating of Zenviron handing jerseys to Lachy Milton and Chicky Sykiotis
Darren Herbert of Newcastle Commercial Finance handing jersey to Sam Rouse
Rod Hood of Pacific Hydraulics handing jersey to Jason Milligan
Pete Ryan of Ryan Signs handing jersey to son Rory Ryan
Matt Davis of NBS Bricklaying handing jersey to Brenton Gibson
Luke Tresidder of Maxwell Recruitment handing jersey to Brendan Jackson
Nadene Barretto of Eight Recruitment handing jersey to Dave Puchert
Paul Murphy of Churchills Carpet Court handing jersey to Will Mansfield
Tim Woolf of Colliers handing jersey to Michael Dan
Stewart Gilberd of ISC handing jersey to Jock Wait
Jode Roach of Allied Newcastle handing jersey to Sam Bright
Brad Drelincourt of Fadrel handing jersey to Nick Ball
Nicole Elliot of Core Project Group handing jersey to Zac Norgard