Sydney Airport Jets RLFC Newsletter - January 2005.
Congratulations to Marrickville Council.
Our elected representatives on Marrickville Council deserve this club's
congratulations on two fronts:
* The astonishing and superb rejuvenation of the Henson Park playing surface. The famous old ground has been returned to its previously excellent standard that existed prior to the introduction of summer soccer. Jets player Adam Bennett, who is also the curator of Kogarah Oval, home ground of the famous St.George-Illawarra Dragons, is full of praise for the Henson Park ground staff. However, Bennett warns that the reintroduction of soccer to Henson Park would quickly destroy the ground, especially those previously badly-worn areas in the goal mouth and the centre-field. Given that Henson Park is now being used by the Sydney Roosters and Newtown Rugby League clubs, as well as by the Sydney AFL and local schools, it would seem to be a ridiculous move to allow soccer the use of the ground again. After all, that particular sport is given excellent access to many other grounds within the Marrickville municipality. The reintroduction of soccer to Henson Park, given the current water restrictions, could ruin the use of the ground for AFL, Rugby League and school sports. Newtown's players are of NRL standard and should be entitled to play on a top-class playing surface, and not on the disgraceful playing area they had to cope with last year. Following their Premier League game at Henson Park last year, the Bulldogs protested to the NSW Rugby League about the state of the playing surface and its potential for further injuries. Two of their players had suffered bad leg injuries after twisting their ankles in pot-holes. What a tragedy it would be to be unable to complete the Rugby League season at Henson Park because of playing surface deterioration!
* The complete refurbishment of the Henson Park dressing rooms is well under way. This $300,000-plus project will ensure that the Sydney Airport Jets have dressing room facilities the equal of any of our Premier League opponents. Council officers report that the internal demolition work is well advanced and the project is right on target for the anticipated completion date in early March. It's been a long time coming, but let's give credit where it's due to our local government representatives.
A reminder to all of you who have yet to renew your memberships.
Please do so as soon as possible, and remind any of your family members or friends who might also have forgotten to do so. Don't forget to take the opportunity to order some Newtown merchandise at the same time. You can check out the entire merchandise catalogue at:
<http://www.newtownjets.com/> www.newtownjets.com
The new gymnasium is getting plenty of use.
Head Coach Col Murphy and Head Conditioner Dennis "Rowdy" Yates are putting the boys through regular workouts at the new gymnasium facility, and more equipment is being progressively installed. Leading English Rugby League journalist Dave Hadfield is currently visiting Sydney and inspected the gym recently. He was very impressed and said that the facility is going to be a magnificent asset to the club. He was also "impressed" with the gritty street environs of the gym, and said the surroundings would make a terrific setting for a future movie where heavy duty London crims visit the Newtown/Marrickville area.
Newtown RLFC trial dates.
The following trial dates have been confirmed:
Saturday, 29th January at Henson Park - Open Jim Beam Cup trials - kick-off at 4pm.
Saturday, 5th February at Henson Park - Premier League trial - Newtown v
Western Suburbs, kick-off at 6pm. Preceded by a full afternoon of
Cronulla-Sutherland v Western Suburbs junior reps trials from 1.30 onwards.
Saturday, 12th February at Henson Park - Premier League trial - Newtown v North Sydney, kick-off at 6pm. This match is the first leg of the 2005 Frank Hyde Shield series. Preceded by Newtown Jim Beam Cup squad v North Sydney Jersey Flegg at 4.30pm.
Saturday, 19th February - Premier League trial - Newtown v Group 11 at
Pioneer Oval, Parkes, kick-off at 5pm. This is the main curtain-raiser to
the Sydney Roosters-Parramatta NRL trial at 7pm.
Saturday, 26th February - Premier League trial - Newtown v Newcastle at
Express Advocate Stadium, Gosford, time to be advised. This match will be
the main curtain-raiser to the Sharks v Knights NRL trial at Gosford.
The Premier League competition will be starting the second weekend of March, and the draw is due out early this week.
Congratulations to Marrickville Council.
Our elected representatives on Marrickville Council deserve this club's
congratulations on two fronts:
* The astonishing and superb rejuvenation of the Henson Park playing surface. The famous old ground has been returned to its previously excellent standard that existed prior to the introduction of summer soccer. Jets player Adam Bennett, who is also the curator of Kogarah Oval, home ground of the famous St.George-Illawarra Dragons, is full of praise for the Henson Park ground staff. However, Bennett warns that the reintroduction of soccer to Henson Park would quickly destroy the ground, especially those previously badly-worn areas in the goal mouth and the centre-field. Given that Henson Park is now being used by the Sydney Roosters and Newtown Rugby League clubs, as well as by the Sydney AFL and local schools, it would seem to be a ridiculous move to allow soccer the use of the ground again. After all, that particular sport is given excellent access to many other grounds within the Marrickville municipality. The reintroduction of soccer to Henson Park, given the current water restrictions, could ruin the use of the ground for AFL, Rugby League and school sports. Newtown's players are of NRL standard and should be entitled to play on a top-class playing surface, and not on the disgraceful playing area they had to cope with last year. Following their Premier League game at Henson Park last year, the Bulldogs protested to the NSW Rugby League about the state of the playing surface and its potential for further injuries. Two of their players had suffered bad leg injuries after twisting their ankles in pot-holes. What a tragedy it would be to be unable to complete the Rugby League season at Henson Park because of playing surface deterioration!
* The complete refurbishment of the Henson Park dressing rooms is well under way. This $300,000-plus project will ensure that the Sydney Airport Jets have dressing room facilities the equal of any of our Premier League opponents. Council officers report that the internal demolition work is well advanced and the project is right on target for the anticipated completion date in early March. It's been a long time coming, but let's give credit where it's due to our local government representatives.
A reminder to all of you who have yet to renew your memberships.
Please do so as soon as possible, and remind any of your family members or friends who might also have forgotten to do so. Don't forget to take the opportunity to order some Newtown merchandise at the same time. You can check out the entire merchandise catalogue at:
<http://www.newtownjets.com/> www.newtownjets.com
The new gymnasium is getting plenty of use.
Head Coach Col Murphy and Head Conditioner Dennis "Rowdy" Yates are putting the boys through regular workouts at the new gymnasium facility, and more equipment is being progressively installed. Leading English Rugby League journalist Dave Hadfield is currently visiting Sydney and inspected the gym recently. He was very impressed and said that the facility is going to be a magnificent asset to the club. He was also "impressed" with the gritty street environs of the gym, and said the surroundings would make a terrific setting for a future movie where heavy duty London crims visit the Newtown/Marrickville area.
Newtown RLFC trial dates.
The following trial dates have been confirmed:
Saturday, 29th January at Henson Park - Open Jim Beam Cup trials - kick-off at 4pm.
Saturday, 5th February at Henson Park - Premier League trial - Newtown v
Western Suburbs, kick-off at 6pm. Preceded by a full afternoon of
Cronulla-Sutherland v Western Suburbs junior reps trials from 1.30 onwards.
Saturday, 12th February at Henson Park - Premier League trial - Newtown v North Sydney, kick-off at 6pm. This match is the first leg of the 2005 Frank Hyde Shield series. Preceded by Newtown Jim Beam Cup squad v North Sydney Jersey Flegg at 4.30pm.
Saturday, 19th February - Premier League trial - Newtown v Group 11 at
Pioneer Oval, Parkes, kick-off at 5pm. This is the main curtain-raiser to
the Sydney Roosters-Parramatta NRL trial at 7pm.
Saturday, 26th February - Premier League trial - Newtown v Newcastle at
Express Advocate Stadium, Gosford, time to be advised. This match will be
the main curtain-raiser to the Sharks v Knights NRL trial at Gosford.
The Premier League competition will be starting the second weekend of March, and the draw is due out early this week.
