Bula!
And welcome to the information page for the Wakehurst Rugby U14/15 Fiji Tour 2023
Wakehurst Rugby Club has a history of touring and in September 2023 our U14/15s playing group intend to restart that history with a tour to Fiji.
This will be an amazing opportunity for the players and families involved and is founded on these principles:
- A joint belief that Rugby is fun
- A pathway to maintain friendships established through Wakehurst Rugby Club
- Creating memories and stories to recall in their later years
- Experiencing different levels of Rugby including overseas
- An opportunity for the players and their families to experience the cultural and tourist attractions that Fiji has to offer
Club legends Gareth “Bladesie” Blades and Michael Gullick have led multiple tours to Fiji in the Wakehurst colours and will be guiding the 2023 tourists as we plan the tour and the various activities to get us there.
On the ground in Fiji, a key member of the Tour will be Bill Dawai. Over the past ten years, Bill has become a close friend of our club and will be staying with us during the entire duration of the tour. Several of the activities that we will be doing involve members of Bill’s family and his village.
Another important member of our Fijian family was Peceli Kina. Kina (as he liked to be called) was a former Fijian International player who also played for Warringah in the late 1980’s and was involved in every tour we have run from 2005 to 2019. Unfortunately, Kina passed way last year after as short illness, but our club still has a very close relationship with his family, and they will also be in involved in various parts of the tour.
The 2023 Tour committee has been formed and they will lead the following key tour pillars:
| Position | Name | Mob. | |
| Tour Leader | Jason Gay | 0406 040 354 | jason.s.gay@gmail.com |
| Secretary | Andrew Russell | 0412 167 756 | andrew@enhancedspace.com.au |
| Treasurer | Mark Anderson | 0417 725 006 | marka@valoremchemicals.com |
| Gear | Dearne Reid | ||
| Sponsors | Adam Ross | 0419289200 | adsross75@gmail.com |
| Travel | David Brady | ||
| Canteen | Sheree Riley | ||
| Fundraising | Luke Baker | ||
| Grants | Kirsten Griffiths |
We already have around 25 players and their families interested in being a part of the tour. The Tour Committee is grateful for this group’s early indication of interest and for the parents who have put up their hands to help out in any way (be it either small or large roles). This really helps our budget planning activities.
Raffle fundraising
Christmas Hamper Raffle – Winners!
Our Xmas Hamper Raffle has been drawn from over 2,000 entries and the following are the winners of the prizes:
1st prize – Chris H
2nd prize – Nick R
3rd prize – Trish Mc
4th prize – Sarah D
5th prize – Bernadette H
6th prize – Lew
7th prize – Damien C
8th prize – Mark P
9th prize – Nick K
10th prize – Jane D
All the winners have been contacted and the 2023 Fiji Tour would like to thank all of the supporters who bought tickets to help get the players on tour and to support our wonderful Fijian hosts with educational and sporting equipment.
We’d also like to thank the following local businesses for their generous donations – “Shop Local, Love Your Community”:
Energize Health Club, Bundlfresh , Glenrose Beauty Gallery , Glenrose Jewellersrs, Gourmet Deli Delight, Trytime Rugby Camps, Palms Therapeutic Massage Momokko, CHOP Butchery, Jenny’s nail’s Barber’s Point Belrose, Artisan Massage Stella Blu Kitchen & Pizzeria Glenrose Village, At Your Service Dry Cleaning Chargrill Charlie’s , Forestway Fresh, Phulkari Indian Cuisine – Frenchs Forest, Distinction Hair Design, Palms Healthcare Massage
Sponsorship
We believe there is a great opportunity to offer local businesses valuable brand promotion, recognition and access to our local community families, while at the same time helping our families send their children on their 1st international Rugby tour that includes an incredible cultural and educational opportunity.
If you believe your business would benefit from being involved with the Under 14/15 2023 Fiji Tour please contact our Sponsorship Coordinator, Adam Ross m. 0419289200 or e. adsross75@gmail.com
Other upcoming events
The Tour party will be involved in many events in the run up to September 2023 such as:
- The Belrose Hotel Thursdays Meat Tray Raffle – The Belrose is a wonderful sponsor of our club so please return the favour and visit them.
- WRC Parents night – Stay tuned for the 2023 event!
- Car wash days & Bunnings BBQs
- Canteen & BBQ operations at the Spring 7s @ Wakehurst Oct-Nov 2022 plus Wakehurst Touch 7s Feb-Mar 2023
- Clubhouse Events – Super Rugby, State of Origin and after training dinners
We’d love your support of the tour players as we aim to give everyone the best experience as part of the 2023 tour.
Would you like more information?
If you have any questions or offers to help, please reach out to either Jason or Russ in the first instance.
Jason Gay m. 0406040354 e. jason.s.gay@gmail.com
Andrew Russell m. 0412167756 e. andrew@enhancedspace.com.au