Rugby Tour to Darwin

During the April holidays, 36 Under 15s Rugby players set off to Darwin to experience a unique rugby tour.

In conjunction with Deadly Rugby (an organisation which encourages rugby schools/sides to play in the Northern Territory), the Shore contingent sought to test themselves in hot and humid conditions and play against an older age group. The NT Rugby Under 16’s side is picked at this time of year, and a four-way tournament was devised. This saw a Shore 15A and B side take on an NT Under 16s Rep 1 and 2 side. The Grand final was then Shore 15’s vs NT Under 16s Reps.

Both Shore teams played excellent rugby, and while our B’s lost their pool games, the A side won their games and were eventual winners in the Grand Final. The Dhawara Cup, which Shore first won in 2024 in Darwin against Barker, was retained and will stay in North Sydney.

Special mention to Harry Ferguson, who was Man of the Match in the Grand Final, and to Tommy Nutt, who was the Player of the Tour across all games.

Apart from the Rugby, the Shore boys had the chance to bond as a team, explore Darwin, visit Litchfield National Park, learn more about our WWII history and the bombing of Darwin, attend the Darwin dawn service on Anzac Day and connect with local Indigenous rugby players. We were also lucky enough to be accompanied in the week by local elder Dr Richard Fejo and former Wallaby Mr Andrew Walker. Both men were fantastic hosts and became a part of the tour group.

Thank you to all the parents who helped enable this opportunity for the boys and to Mr Ken Raupach, Mr Ben Molloy and Mr George Davis for giving up their time to manage such a well-organised experience.

Mr David Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby