As the 2019 NSW Suburban Rugby season draws to a close with the Kentwell Cup Grand Final on Saturday 7 September, it is appropriate that we refer to the Subbies Division 4 Grand Finals which were played at Canterbury’s Wills Ground on Saturday 31 August.

As many Members are aware, The Rugby Club was closely associated with Sydney Harlequins Rugby Football Club since that club was established and entered the Subbies Rugby competition in 2004.

In 2003, Ross Hazlett and Angus Bruxner (both Directors of The Rugby Club at that time) and fellow members of The Rugby Club (including former Directors Ken Cropper, Tom Sharp, Ken Winterschladen and Paul Xiradis and Rugby Life Member and former General Manager Bruce Morton) initiated the formation of Sydney Harlequins as a Rugby playing club affiliated with The Rugby Club and based within the City of Sydney.

Having been incorporated on 29 August 1945 The Rugby Club was recognised as being “The Home of the True Spirit of Rugby” – thus making it a fitting location as the spiritual home and original “clubhouse” of Sydney Harlequins.

Being a Rugby playing club based within the City of Sydney, Sydney Harlequins continues to provide young men who live and work in and around the city with the opportunity to join and play with a conveniently located Rugby club.

Furthermore, being a Harlequins Rugby club, Sydney Harlequins has since its inception attracted overseas players from many countries, something which has added a unique and significant flavour to the spirit and camaraderie which exist within the club.

Sydney Harlequins provides an environment of promoting Rugby success and strong social activity based on strong Rugby performances on the field and through building a culture that supports the engagement of the club with the broader community.

The Rugby Club provided invaluable financial and logistical support during the formative years of Sydney Harlequins. The close affinity between the two entities continues to be recognised by Subbies as being an important factor in maintaining the excellent relationship which exists between The Rugby Club Foundation and Subbies.

On Saturday 31 August 2019 Sydney Harlequins completed their most successful season by winning all three Subbies Division 4 premierships.

The Quins (undefeated minor premiers) defeated Briars 31-10 in 1st grade (McLean Cup), Canterbury (undefeated minor premiers) 19-14 in 2nd grade (Grose Cup) and Canterbury (minor premiers) 31-14 in 3rd grade (Walker Cup). 1st grade completed their season as undefeated champions.

Consequently, the Quins have added another important chapter to their relatively short history by concurrently holding the McLean Cup, Grose Cup and Walker Cup.

The Rugby Club Foundation therefore extends its congratulations to Sydney Harlequins on achieving this noteworthy milestone.

The Foundation also congratulates all other Subbies clubs who have secured premierships in 2019 and it wishes the participating Division 1 clubs the very best of luck in their Grand Finals this coming Saturday. The Kentwell Cup Grand Final will conclude another memorable year for Subbies Rugby.

Having regard to its primary object of nurturing and supporting grassroots Rugby through its strategic vision of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’, the Foundation is proud to support Subbies Rugby as an institution which exemplifies the grassroots level of Rugby within the State of New South Wales.

Sydney Harlequins: 2019 McLean, Grose and Walker Cup Premiers