This Easter weekend would have seen the Pirates on the road to take on the Western Sydney Two Blues in our scheduled Round Two match of the regular season. The first time we played the Two Blues in 2019, we ran out victors in an exciting match that was the first game of rugby ever to be played at the state of the art, Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta, as a curtain raiser to the Waratahs v Sharks match.
The rivalry between the Pirates and the Two Blues has always run deep and we were very much looking forward to playing against them particularly as we would have been coming off another victory against Randwick, who we defeated in Round Two of last year’s regular season. I am sure this year would have been no different!
Yet leading into this Easter long weekend, we find ourselves at home, seemingly isolated and missing rugby. While it’s easy to fall into the trap of negative thinking that this is only happening to me, remember the same phenomenon is occurring all over the world.
In fact, the situation in Australia is a great deal more positive than it is overseas thanks to the practical safety measures of social distancing and self isolation that have significantly slowed the spread of Covid-19 within our communities. While this situation is frustrating, it will eventually end, life will return to some semblance of normality and we will play rugby once more.
Rugby’s Return
The recent statement of the NRL announcing that they are planning to resume the 2020 Season on May 28th seems to have provided some hope that an iteration of the 2020 Shute Shield season may be possible, yet the NSW State Government’s announcement this week that it’s unlikely that social distancing regulations will be relaxed before July, couple this with Rugby Australia’s further postponement of all community and grassroots rugby until June 1st, and it is unlikely that the Shute Shield will be up and running before July, at the earliest.
Yet despite the latest postponements and announcements, the dedicated members of the West Harbour family are all working hard to ensure that the Club will be ready to compete whenever a competition resumes.
Despite a recent Sydney Morning Herald article insinuating that West Harbour had completely shut down its operations, and may not be a part of a downsized competition, the Board and I can assure all of our players, members and supporters, that we are committed, and that it is our intention, that we will be a competitive force in any iteration of the Shute Shield in 2020, which is currently being discussed at a Sydney Rugby Union Board level.
West Harbour Rugby Committee
The Club’s new Rugby Operations Committee, consisting of the Director of Rugby, Tom Games, the Club’s Head Coach, Mark Gudmunson and myself, met earlier this week to discuss the gradual reactivation of all of the Club’s rugby operations, within the framework of the Federal and State Governments social distancing regulations, in preparation for the commencement of the Shute Shield season.
The Committee also discussed the need for a full review of rugby operations including the development of an updated Club wide rugby ethos, standards and strategy for the next five years, incorporating representatives of the playing group, coaches, operations and board.
Communications
The Club has taken on the constructive feedback it received from our end of 2019 Club Wide Survey, and is actively working to greatly improve its communication with our key stakeholders.
To that end, regular General Manager’s updates will be posted on the Club’s website and shared through our social media channels.
Furthermore, the Club has engaged a dedicated Media Officer, Declan Armstrong, who has already commenced writing regular articles regarding historical and current events, personality pieces and eventually game day reviews and reports.
The Club is also in the process of reestablishing a regular newsletter that will contain up to date features, stories and information, while also promoting and supporting our sponsors.
Furthermore, the Club is in the process of updating its dedicated YouTube page, West Harbour ‘Pirates’ TV and will be broadcasting matches from the past.
Stay tuned for further updates!
Our Move
The Club is preparing itself to undertake a move to its new temporary facilities at St Luke’s and Drummoyne Oval, commencing this coming Tuesday, in order to pave the way for the redevelopment of our physical and spiritual home, Concord Oval.
Construction and remedial work at the newly repurposed Club gym are almost complete, and ready to receive the equipment from our existing High Performance Centre in the Eastern Grandstand of Concord Oval.
Furthermore, a number of players and myself will be working at Concord Oval on Easter Monday to ready all of the Club’s equipment for the move.
Events 2020
The Club’s Events Committee has begun to reassess this year’s previously scheduled events and are undertaking discussions to determine, which events will take place later in the year contingent to changes to social distancing regulations.
Furthermore, the Events Committee is also in the process of developing a Member’s only event to be scheduled for later this year in order to sincerely thank all of our generous and valued members for their continued support. We will definitely keep all of our members and supporters updated once we have firm dates in place.
Player’s Update
Many Pirates’ are keeping fit and game ready in an effort to answer the call when the 2020 season resumes. Our dedicated coaches, led by Head Coach, Mark Gudmunson are in constant contact with the playing group to ensure their physical and mental wellbeing.
There are some players who are struggling financially during this current crisis, if anyone within the West Harbour family has any work available, please email me the details at generalmanager@westharbourrugby.com.au or call me on 0420 736 171 and I will be sure to pass on the information to our needy players.
Birthday Honours
A big happy birthday to our Club President, Tom Andrews, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday. On behalf of the whole West Harbour Family we wish him many happy returns.
Support of Sponsors:
Whilst at the moment, we have nothing for our fans to support in a rugby sense, we would ask you if you have the means to do so, to support our sponsors businesses.
For instance if you are looking for a great deal on a car, contact our amazing partner, Suttons Group. Mention West Harbour sent you and not only will you get a great deal on a car but you will also be supporting the Club.
Take care, stay safe and look after each other and of course…Up the Pirates, Arrrrr!
Regards
John Abi-Saab
General Manager
West Harbour RUFC
