Registrations OPEN: Mini Magpies to Premier Grade: Join the Souths Rugby Union Journey Today!

Embracing Players of All Ages, Souths Rugby Union Invites You to Join the Journey

Registrations for the 2024 Season are open. Souths Rugby Union provides a comprehensive pathway for players of all ages to thrive and succeed.

At the heart of Souths Rugby Union's lies a belief in the power of community and the potential of sport. From their earliest days on the field, young players are instilled with a love for the game and a strong sense of camaraderie that forms the foundation of their journey through the club. Through dedicated coaching and support, these aspiring rugby players are nurtured and guided as they progress from junior teams to the top level rugby.

"The journey from our youngest players to our Premier Grade team is a testament to the strength of our development programs and the dedication of our players and coaches," Derek Thomas, Club President.
"At Souths Rugby Union, we embrace players of all ages and skill levels, providing them with the resources and support they need to reach their full potential.”

A foundation of Souths Rugby Union's commitment to inclusivity and player development is the Modified Rugby Program (MRP). Designed to cater to players of all abilities, including those with physical or intellectual disabilities, the MRP program promotes participation, skill development, and enjoyment of the game in a supportive and inclusive environment. Through the MRP program, Souths Rugby Union continues to break down barriers and provide opportunities for all members of the community to experience the joy of rugby.

Souths Rugby Union's commitment to fostering talent and promoting inclusivity extends beyond the rugby field. With a vibrant and welcoming community, and a rich tradition of success, the club offers an fantastic experience for players and supporters alike. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the sport, everyone is invited to join Souths and be part of something.

Visit our registration page to sign up and become a part of Souths Rugby Union today. https://www.southsrugby.com/how-to-register

For more information about Souths Rugby Union, our programs, and the Modified Rugby Program, please visit our website.

BJRU Girls 7's Comp 2023!

Souths Rugby Union Club is excited to announce that we will be participating in the Brisbane Junior Rugby Union (BJRU) Girls 7's comp for 2023. We are calling all girls aged 12-18 years to join our team and take part in this exciting competition.

Our girls' team will be coached by Damian Mcinally, Matt Kassulke, and Trevor Leota, who have a wealth of experience in rugby union. They will be leading the girls in training sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at Chipsy Wood from 5 pm to 6 pm. The coaches are dedicated to ensuring that every player has the skills and knowledge to perform at their best.

Being part of the Souths Girls team opens up pathways to the rep and premiere grade women's girls' development programs. Our head coach, Dave Baldwin, has been working with the BJRU to create development programs that help girls reach their full potential in rugby union.

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all our players, regardless of their skill level. We welcome girls who have never played rugby union before and those who are experienced players.

If you are interested in joining the Souths Girls team for the BJRU Girls 7's comp for 2023, please contact us to register your interest. We look forward to seeing you on the field!

Register now on Rugby Xplorer app or contact info@southsrugby.com for more information.

Seafood lunch @ Pineapple Hotel 2023

Get your appetites ready, because the Annual Club Fundraiser Seafood Lunch is just around the corner! Hosted by our club, this event is set to take place on Friday, May 26th, at the Pineapple Hotel. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss, with plenty of delicious seafood on offer, as well as great company and an opportunity to support our club's future success.

This fundraiser is an excellent chance to help support the club while enjoying some mouth-watering seafood. It's an opportunity to catch up with friends and family while indulging in some of the freshest and most delicious seafood around. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're contributing to our club's success.

For those who are interested in attending, tickets are on sale now via: https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/2f6818da-8b0e-4e4f-80c7-effd1434e761?fbclid=IwAR2dz_5kfBVBhi4o--f_wZZNwBqbCroat6nr0uz2BddO6s4Vv6zhaOYEPSI

Make sure to grab your tickets early to avoid disappointment. And don't forget to spread the word - this is an event that's not to be missed.

For sponsorship or ticketing enquiries, feel free to contact Toni-Ann on 0417 735 000. Our club is grateful for any support we receive and we look forward to seeing you all at the Annual Club Fundraiser Seafood Lunch on May 26th. Come along and enjoy a fantastic afternoon of food, fun, and fundraising!

South's Ladies Day 2023!

South's Rugby Union Club invites you to join them for the upcoming Ladies Day event on May 13th, 2023. This event celebrates the incredible women who make South's a wonderful club. Ladies Day is an opportunity to enjoy great food, drinks, and the company of like-minded women.

The event will be hosted at Chipsy Wood Oval in Annerley, Queensland, beginning at 2:00 pm. The venue provides the perfect setting for a fun-filled day, complete with food platters and food trucks. A three-hour drinks package is also included for your enjoyment.

Ladies Day is a fantastic opportunity for women to come together, make new friends, and celebrate the achievements of women in sports. The South's Rugby Union Club is known for its inclusive and welcoming community, and Ladies Day is a reflection of that. All women are welcome, whether players, supporters, or simply those who love rugby.

Don't miss this chance to be part of South's Ladies Day 2023. Come along and enjoy the festivities, delicious food, and drinks while connecting with other incredible women. Mark your calendars for May 13th, 2023, and be part of this fantastic event.

Tickets are available here:

https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/14145da7-c6c5-4aaf-871c-c8919f785b06?fbclid=IwAR3joU0AudGkdTOO7hv3s64RN_gXk1v0xkWpcs37BctKeofEOKBa6TFkoeA

2022 Financial Year Audited Report

Dear Members

The 2022 Financial Year (FY) Report has now been audited is now available for download from the club website.

In the 2022 FY an operating loss of $46,223 was recorded, with depreciation contributing a further $57,282. The loss recorded was due to a number of reasons which saw some income streams decline and the costs of running the club increase, which is consistent with the current economic climate.

The balance sheet for the club remains positive and the 2023 Committee is focused on turning the 2022 performance around through the following initiatives:

· A focus on increased sponsorship revenue

· Providing an improved game day experience and associated revenue

· Identification of savings and reduction of expenditure

· Delivery of more events and fundraising activities

· Membership drive and increased merchandise sales

· Establishment of dedicated volunteer sub-committees to drive change and new initiatives

In 2023 the club celebrates 75 years of its proud history. A focus in 2023 is also on the vision for club for the next 75 years. The Committee will soon commence an update of its Strategic Plan and members are invited to participate in surveys and consultation to help guide the development of this plan.

As per the Club's Operating Rules, a Special General Meeting is required to be held to accept the audited financial statements. The meeting date is yet to be determined but will include the following agenda items:

· Acceptance of the 2022 audited financial statements

· Appointment of the 2023 FY Auditor

· Acceptance of proposed amendments to the Club's operating rules

If you have any feedback on the club's operating rules prior to the commencement of review and amendment, please email the club secretary on secretary@southsrugby.com.

Kind Regards

Souths Rugby Union Club Executive Committee

Morgan returns to The Nest

Souths Rugby Union Club has announced the return of Old Boy, Garrick Morgan, to role of Premier Grade Head Coach kicking off the 2023 season.

Garrick brings to Souths a rejuvenated sense of enthusiasm and optimism for the Club.

He describes his coaching style as ‘relationship based,’ which he credits to his long-time friend, mentor and coach, Alec Evans, also a long-time supporter of the Souths Magpies having first coached Garrick at Souths in 1992 and has been a constant influence on Garrick from his earliest playing days.

“Alec has been a massive influence on my rugby career. In particular the way he

understood how to get the best of every player, no matter how different they were,

was inspirational. Teams played for him, knew what they had to do and fully

engaged in whatever he asked them to do. No matter what he asked!”

Alec highlighted out that Garrick was “born to coach.”

“There are many factors that go into making a successful coach,” Alec said, “and

Garrick has all of them. His experience from playing at the very top level to coaching

youngsters new to the game, has given him the full box of tricks. He is tactically

astute in all areas, his man management is superb because he cares about each

individual, his own physical presence brings an almost immediate respect and

underlying all of that, he has that magical coaching secret of being able to transfer

his enthusiasm and energy to those in his charge.”

Garrick returns to home to the Chipsy Wood club after having played Premier Grade for the club from 1989 to 1998. During this time, the Souths Premiers won five Grand Finals and in 1992, Souths created history when 7 players (including Morgan) were selected as Wallabies to represent Australia. The first time any club had contributed 7 players to the Australian team.

Souths Patron and former Wallaby Andrew Slack, remembers Morgan’s early days of representative rugby in Queensland and stated that he has been enormously impressed by Morgan’s selflessness and dedication to the teams he has coached in recent years.

“It is fair to say that Garrick was something of a loose cannon in his early playing

days, but he looked at where he wanted to head and what he wanted to achieve,

and through maturity, critical self-analysis, and sheer hard work, he became a great

player. Since retirement he has used those same characteristics to help young

players become better. He knows the pitfalls, but more importantly knows how to

overcome them and has a rugby nous that I have no doubt will make him a

successful coach wherever he hangs his hat.

Souths are very lucky to have him.”

Garrick’s playing career included 69 caps for Queensland and 24 for Australia, before moving overseas playing in the premier league for Harlequins in England and then Pau in France. Garrick then returned home to Australia, signing with the Gold Coast Breakers before hanging up his boots in 2006.

But rugby and retirement do not go in the same sentence for this rugby heavyweight.

Garrick has spent the past fifteen years coaching at community, school, state, and premier grade level. As a level four ARU coach and Rugby World Educator, Morgan will bring expert coaching skills and considerable experience to Souths.

“The time is right for me to return to Souths. It feels like coming home. I have seen

great potential at the club and am confident that our coaching team will bring out

the best in our premier grade both as players and men. Our core coaching group will

be Graham Herlihy, Ray Thomas, and Darren Rees. All very experienced specialist

coaches. Everyone on the same page with a winning culture and wearing the black

and white jersey with pride is the goal. I’m looking forward to bringing everyone

together to work and achieve that vision.”

“We’ve got World Cups coming to Australia in 2027 and 2029 so it’s a particularly

high-profile time for the sport. For Souths it is a pivotal moment in the Club’s

evolution as we grow and strengthen creating a platform for success for both the

team and individuals. I look forward to welcoming new players during this time.”

I’m honoured to be part of creating the next chapter in the Magpies rich history.”

South’s President, Chris Hourigan: I am extremely grateful to Garrick for accepting the Head Coach role with South’s Rugby Union Club. “Garrick speaks about his values, standards and that is the foundation of his coaching style” – with his long connection to Souths as a player, supporter and now Premier Grade Head Coach, “Garrick is the coach that has the full experience today’s athletics requires to achieve their best and be the best person they can be. That is what I really like about Garrick’s approach, it is so much more than just the player.”

Garrick will lead the coaching team at Souths throughout 2023 whilst continuing in his role as Director of Rugby for Downlands College in Toowoomba and as Vice President Queensland Rugby Union.

He will officially commence his role as the Premier Grade Head Coach in October 2022.

Ian Cameron: camo@southsrugby.com

Souths Rugby Club: info@southsrugby.com

South’s Rugby Union Club

Chipsy Wood Oval

104 Frederick Street

Annerley 4103

Image: Garrick Morgan

Supplied and approved for use

The MND Shield

This Saturday Round 16 is MND Round.  This year South’s and Sunnybank will compete for the new MND Shield to commemorate and support MND charities in honour of Ross Maclean and former Sunnybank player Scott Sullivan.

Ross and his son Jeff (who played over 200 games for the club) have been South’s principal sponsors for over 47 years, with Ross heavily involved in the club over many years as a former club president, patron and life member and significant financial supporter of South’s Rugby Union Club. 

Prior to his passing in 2005, Ross approached the QLD Brain institute and in conjunction with them started the Ross Maclean Fellowship with the commitment to fund the research into a cure for MND.  Souths Rugby have backed the MacLean family with fundraising support yearly since 2005

Please join South’s in continuing support of this worthy cause in honour of Ross and Scott.  The Jerseys worn by the Souths players in Saturdays match will be available for purchase for $100 as well as limited edition matching South’s MND polos for $50. 

Sizes available Med to 6XL in jersey numbers 1-23.  Please contact Jane at info@southsrugby.com to register your interest.  These jerseys will be laundered and available for pick up the following week.

PHOTO:  Chris Latham with South’s first grade players, souths president Chris Hourigan, Jeff Maclean of Index Group and his grandson u/6 player Alfie Doyle wearing the MND Round Jerseys.

The true Magpie Spirit

This is a story from Jason Dennis, the coach of the U12 Magpies team.

Today I saw true “Magpie Spirit” (and it might not be what you’d think)

Hi,

As a parent of three boys, I’ve been associated with Souths Juniors for over 8 years now, and like all of us I want the boys to be good Magpies. And I think I know what “Magpie Spirit” is, but as they say, you’ll know it when you see it.

And today I saw it.

And it was amazing.

I think I’ve been really close before. I rode that incredible supporter high through seven sudden death victories in 2015 when Souths took out the Premier Grade Cup. My eldest son has been associated with some really good junior teams, including a premiership in 2019, right up until U15 this year who look so strong. I’ve been to wonderful club functions, trophy days and end of season trips away. I’ve seen our boys be great ambassadors travelling to Coogee and in representative teams.

But today I think eclipsed them all. Let me set the scene.

I help coach the U12 Magpies team, which my middle son plays in. Our team consists of a lot of players new to rugby, either this year or in the last few. We might not be as skillful as the Black or White teams, but I can’t fault the boy’s behavior, commitment and attitude. Unfortunately, their attitude has been sorely tested this year by our on-field results. Despite their best efforts, it has been a tough season. Until today,

 we have played 9 games,

 for no wins or draws, and

 a “for” of 40, and an “against” of 409, (-369 diff)

 including a 100-0 defeat at home in round 3.

But despite all this, the boys always turn up. They turn up with smiles on their faces, ready to train and play with their team mates. During a game (including the infamous century game) I have never seen them drop their heads. They run it up as hard as they can, tackle and ruck as best they can, and ALWAYS encourage their team mates. And they keep turning up in numbers! We have a squad of 24, and 22 were down to play today.

Which brings me to today. We were scheduled to play Easts Red, at their home ground. They had touched us up earlier in the season by 30 points at Juniors, and were incredibly strong at the breakdown. We lost two of our best players (flanker and prop) just before kick-off due to illness, but still had 5 reserves. Despite some sound defence, Easts scored early in the first half under the posts and went out to a 7-point lead. Instead of daunting them, the boys took this as a challenge.

Even more incredible defence followed, repelling wave after wave of Red attacks on our goal line. A good turnover and solid run up the field and we were at halfway with a few minutes left in the half, when one of our most underrated players took off sideways (coach-killer!) but got around their backs and streaked down the field for a try. We missed the conversion, but felt the momentum had changed, and held on to go 7-5 down at the break.

The platform set in the first half, allowed us to be more expansive in the second. And the belief was growing, on the field, in the coaches’ box, and in the stands. The crowd noise was deafening as our new inside centre made some blockbusting runs down the field, getting so close to the try line a number of times, before some magic footwork and soccer skills by our halfback put us in front.

Conversion successful – 7-13 our way. Our centre wasn’t finished yet, with our number 10 setting up what I think the NRL calls a “Bash Play”, putting our centre over for a well deserved try. Missed conversion, but 7-17 with just over 5 minutes to go. Given that they had probably tackled more in this game then they had all season it was understandable that all the boys were out on their feet, but they new that 10 points could be recovered easily by Easts, especially when some dubious penalties put them inside the 10m line. But the boys weren’t to be denied, defending as if their lives depended on it, and making the opposition try line look like that zombie pile up scene in World War Z! They couldn’t stop the final try, but they had soaked up enough time that when the final whistle blew after the missed conversion, a 17-12 victory was secured.

To win a game of rugby is always satisfying, but what those boys achieved today, given how tough they have had it this season, was awe-inspiring, and I think epitomizes the Magpie Spirit as much as anything I’ve seen. The win now has top spot in my list of favourite Souths moments, only just above the singing of the song (see below).

Thanks boys. Very proud of you.

Roman Siulepa recieves scholarship to NBA Global Academy

Congratulations to Roman Siulepa. As Souths member since U12s he has a passion for Rugby. However, due to his insane talent as a basketball player, he has been picked up to represent the Australian U17s in the global NBA Academy.

In addition to receiving a NBA GA scholarship, he will be contesting the FIBA Asia Cup in Qatar, and the FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain in July.