Randwick Rugby 2011 Hall of Fame lunch - a triumph of running rugby

Comments received by Randwick Rugby Club following the 2011 Induction of Legends to the Hall of Fame occasion.

.........

Just a quick email to thank you for the invitation to the "Randwick Rugby Hall of Fame" luncheon and the honouring of our late father Keith Windon last Thursday. I felt so proud to be the daughter of that wonderful sporting family.
My sister Joan and I loved catching up with old friends (and boyfriends!!!!) and especially our cousin Julie Blomberg. It's so rare that we get together, now that Joan and I live in QLD. Your weather was something we are not used to as it's usually just all sunshine up here..
So thank you for the invitation and the committee who selected Keith. He joins his brother in that illustrious band of Randwick Legends.
We had a very special day.
Margaret Windon

Click to view photos

Randwick Rugby Club honoured new inductees to the Hall of Fame yesterday (21 July) at the Hilton Hotel. The Class of 2011 inducted yesterday included Eddie Jones and Phil Kearns who were heard via video link. They both articulated that the ethics of rugby taught at the Galloping Greens had been  foundations for their life, rugby career and business. Club patron Jeffery Sayle collected the award for recognised Club man John Maxwell. Bob Dwyer, superb coach and Randwick ‘Hall of Fame' recipient in 2011, said that John Maxwell was the hardest loose forward to play club rugby in his time of coaching. Elder Club statesman Bob Outterside spoke with pride about receiving the award but he expressed in a clear manner how rugby players in 2011 are inclined to collide with the opposition rather than using space, time and manipulation to play running rugby. Peter Meagher, Joan Primo and Margaret Windon collected the awards on behalf of their late grandfather and fathers.

Rod Kafer, supreme in his role as MC, kept a very packed rugby day moving. There were a number of Rugby moments which included:

1. Bob Dwyer enthralling the audience with what it takes to win a Rugby World Cup. He made the point that you don't need to have just great players but the most important aspect for the World Cup was the great players had to be playing well. He looked at the prospects of the Wallaby team this World Cup year and made a point that the importance of the halfback being the first player behind the tackled player will be a crucial tactic in the winning team.

2. Ewen McKenzie and Owen Finegan creating an audience in stitches talking about their respective tries. Owen talked about boasting to family that he would score a World Cup try - before leaving. Ewen also talked at length proving a great insight for the audience about the basic style that his Queensland Reds have adopted. He explained that all the players knew exactly what they had to do in certain areas of the pitch but had the freedom to play what was in front of them and express themselves. The Randwick faithful were enthralled to hear that the running Randwick rugby was still close to his heart.

3. The Randwick World Cup panel featuring Bob Dwyer, Ewen McKenzie, Simon Poidevin, Mark Ella, Rocky Elsom, George Gregan and Drew Mitchell discussing at length what was required to win the 2011 World Cup. Has there ever been such a panel? - it included a World Cup winning coach, three players who have won a World Cup and four Australian test captains. Rocky Elsom left the audience in no doubt that the Australian team are ready to not only compete but bring ‘Bill' home to Australia. The panel also took questions from the floor.

4. The audience also had the opportunity to view never seen footage of the winning Australian 1999 World Cup team in the dressing room straight after the final whistle.

The day included a number of fundraising events. The car was won by an anonymous gentlemen from the McGrath table. He was last seen leaving with a BRAND NEW CAR late in the night. There were a number of incredible auction items including holidays to Phukett, Hamilton Island, the use of the boat ‘Ghost' and the major item, a corporate lunch with Ewen McKenzie, was quickly snapped up.

A long day finally finished at 4.30pm. It was a great day for the audience and another very good day for the Randwick Rugby Club to celebrate the new inductees of 2011.

Thank You

The Randwick Rugby Club would like to formally thank you for attending the Hall of Fame lunch yesterday at the Hilton.

The lunch was a huge success with 550 people attending.  All proceeds will be directed to the development of club rugby in Randwick at all levels and in providing young men with the opportunity to play for Randwick.

A special thanks to Randwick Rugby Club's main sponsors - Peters of Kensington, AllightSykes, NG Farah, Sydney City Nissan, Taylor Woodings, Cartwright Insurance, Divcall NSW, Grinners Catering, CA Technologies, Body Science, Pattons, Salmat, Vachie, Girvan Waugh and Royal Randwick Fruit Market.

Thanks also to those providing auction items on the day - especially Ewen McKenzie, Anthony Bell from Bell Partners, Michael Jorgensen from TradeLink and the SCG Trust. Also Sydney City Nissan who, in partnership with Randwick Rugby Club, provided the car for the raffle. Appreciation also for the  assistance provided by Taylor Woodings and Bell Partners providing staff for the day.

Finally, gratitude to the incredible array of Randwick greats who participated in various panels throughout the day from Ewen McKenzie, Owen Finegan, Bob Dwyer, Simon Poidevin, Mark Ella, Rocky Elsom, George Gregan, Drew Mitchell and MC Rod Kafer.

I encourage you to view the Randwick website www.randwickrugby.com.au to view the photographs from the event which will be up later in the day

Finally, we appreciate your support of the Randwick Rugby Club and planning is underway for 2012 Randwick Rugby Lunch, next September.

Click to read Southern Courier article >.....