Newsroom

Join us at Ocean Park on Saturday 11 July as Shamrocks take on University. A day for good footy, good company and a great afternoon at the club. More details to come - for now, save the date.

Shamrocks Rugby Club is proud to promote the Figtree Lions Club 2026 Charity Golf Day - May 6th - Two Person Ambrose - Get into it - Details below - Registration in the QR Code below A great charity and a worthy cause.

On Saturday November 1st, club stalwart Kieran Smith took on the role of Master of Ceremonies and hosted over 90 supporters at the 2025 Presentation Night where 20 award winners recognised across 5 categories. First Grade and Second Grade Awards were a highlight of the night but there were also other Club Rugby Awards as well as Club Service Awards and Game Milestone Presentations. The big news of the night was the Q&A Session conducted by Coaching Director Paul Ridgway. Paul took the opportunity to quiz former club juniors, Blake Schoupp and Eamon Doyle about their experiences while representing Australia and the pathways they took from playing as a Junior at Ocean Park to playing on the world stage. These two great players were able to use the opportunity to demonstrate their willingness to overcome adversity, draw on their strengths and be tremendous ambassadors for their families, their Clubs and their Country. A wonderful celebration to close off the 2025 season with just the AGM on November 16th to go. For our past achievements you can visit our honour board here:

Kieran Smith led a fantastic celebration recognizing the significant achievement of Six players on Friday Night (June 12th) at the Club’s Annual Centurions’ Night. 2026 provided an opportunity to run a very different celebration from all previous years as the opportunity to move to a Friday Night was presented. 2026 is a very different year for the club but this salute to our players retained all the pride and admiration we have come to expect and experience at a Centurions’ Event. Kieran made sure that each player was suitably profiled and afforded the recognition that this achievement deserves and this was predominately achieved by the guest speakers and their backgrounding of the players. Dave Smith, Nick Cracknell, Ben Ridgway, Will Ridgway, Gareth Thomas and Garry Weston were all inducted into this celebrious group. The evening kicked-off with our U/14’s taking on Campbelltown and delivering a fantastic display of commitment. Our Second Grade team then played Tech-Tahs and scored a great win, (24 – 5). Another home game at Ocean Park this Saturday where the Club hosts Bowral in what should be a great game.

Friday night footy at Ocean Park. This week we celebrate Centurions Night as Shamrocks take on Tech Waratahs under lights in Round 7. Get down after work, catch up with a few familiar faces and enjoy a big night at the club. - U14s curtain raiser: 6:00pm - Seniors kick-off: 7:00pm Bar open, food available, clubhouse open. See you Friday night. ☘️

Shamrocks Rugby Club has worked with RESIN Brewing and has organised a fundraising raffle for Andre De Ruyter the young guy that lost part of his leg when bitten by a Bull Shark in Sydney Harbour some months ago. Andre worked for Steve at Resin for a few years so it would be good if we support those that support us. There will be a raffle in the Clubhouse after the festivities on Saturday (May 2nd) with donated Mountain View meat and RESIN Beer as prizes.

The Woonona Shamrocks are thrilled to announce the return of our Minis Rugby Programme for Term 3 2026, and we want your little ones to be part of it! Open to children aged 4 to 7, the programme is a fun, non-contact introduction to rugby union held right here at our home ground, Ocean Park in Woonona. Run in partnership with NSW Rugby Union and led by qualified coaches, it is the perfect first step into the game for young kids. Sessions run every Friday from 4:30 to 5:30pm, kicking off on 24 July for 10 weeks. All participants will receive a Shamrocks Rugby training t-shirt to keep, and the canteen and bar will be open for parents and supporters each week. Two age groups are on offer: Children aged 4 to 5 will take part in Get Into Rugby: Walla Rugby, priced at $72 for the term. Children aged 6 to 7 will join Get Into Rugby: Tri Time, priced at $85 for the term. Places are capped at just 25 per age group, so spaces will fill fast. Head to the registration link and secure your child's spot today. We look forward to welcoming a new generation of Shamrocks to Ocean Park this July!

Shamrocks Junior Rugby Union Regos are now open for the 2026 season 🙌🏼. Link is in our Bio. An EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT of $40 off rego fees is on offer until 4 February💰 We warmly welcome new and returning players to join our Club. Information about the 2026 Junior Rugby season is on our Juniors Club webpage.

The Woonona Shamrocks are thrilled to announce the launch of our revitalised junior rugby program for 2025, marking an exciting new era for young rugby players in Illawarra’s northern suburbs. A Legacy of Excellence Continues Junior rugby has been at the heart of our Woonona community for over 50 years. Since 1978, the Shamrocks have nurtured young talent from our first junior premiership in 1981 through to recent success stories like Eamon Doyle captaining the Junior Wallabies in 2025. We’ve celebrated premierships across all age groups and proudly watched our juniors progress to represent Illawarra, NSW Country, State teams, and the Wallabies. Our Vision and Values As we relaunch our program, we remain committed to being a welcoming, resilient and sustainable junior rugby club based on traditional rugby values. Our core principles guide everything we do: Respect: We show respect for teammates, opponents, match officials, coaches and all those involved in the game Inclusion: Everyone is welcome and safe to play, support, coach, and volunteer at our club, whatever their background or ability Sportsmanship: We shake hands with the opposition before we compete and play hard but fair, accepting decisions and upholding the spirit of rugby Positivity: We bring energy, encouragement and effort to our club, remaining optimistic and solution-focused when things get tough Unity: We act as one club and work together to unify the game, on and off the field Friday Night Rugby 7s Competition We’re particularly excited about the Illawarra District Rugby Union’s new Friday Night Rugby 7s competition in Term 4, 2025. This Olympic sport introduces players to a fun, fast form of rugby with less intensity in contact areas, creating a true community culture that can be experienced around the world. The competition will run in a gala format with multiple short games for each team, all scheduled at University of Wollongong rugby fields on Friday nights under lights. Girls Competition (U11s, U13s, U15s) Games kick off at 6pm Dates: 24th October, 7th November, 21st November, 5th December, 12th December 2025 Boys Competition (U9s, U11s, U13s) Games kick off at 5pm Dates: 17th October, 31st October, 14th November, 28th November, 12th December 2025 Training and Development Shamrocks team training commences Thursday 18th September, 6pm-7:15pm at Ocean Park for all teams. We’ll also organise earlier training opportunities for younger kids, depending on interest levels. Get Involved Whether your child is brand new to rugby or an experienced player, there’s a place for them in the Shamrock family. We’re seeking players, families and volunteers who share our passion for rugby and community to help make the Shamrocks Juniors the pride of the North once again. To register interest in playing for a Shamrocks 7s team, simply click here. Volunteers Needed Like all strong clubs, we need dedicated volunteers to help us succeed. If you can lend a hand with coaching, managing a team, joining the committee, or any other role, please contact us. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps build our community. The rebuilding of Shamrocks Junior Rugby starts now. Join us as we write the next chapter of junior rugby excellence in the northern suburbs. Once a Shamrock, always a Shamrock.

At very short notice, Avondale Rugby Club has asked Shamrocks if the first game of the season could be played at Ocean Park! The answer was a resounding YES, and we are set for a home game this Saturday April 11th. All that pre-season training and effort is finally to be put on the field in front of a home crowd. WE JUST NEED THE CROWD ON SATURDAY! The game is set to start at 3.00 PM, the BBQ will be smokin', the Canteen will be open, and the Sun will be shining - what a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon in the beautiful Ocean Park Arena. See you there - come on down and join us!

Shamrocks Survive Strong Shoalhaven Surge to Secure Grand Final Berth Woonoona Shamrocks 2nd Grade have booked their place in the Illawarra 2nd Grade Grand Final, overcoming a determined Shoalhaven 2nd Grade side 31-13 in a hard-fought final at Shoalhaven Rugby Park. The victory, built on a dominant forward pack and clinical finishing in attack, sees the Shamrocks progress to face competition heavyweights Kiama 2nd Grade this weekend with a chance to clinch the premiership. Resolute Defence and Clinical Attack Key to Success In a tight and tense affair, the Shamrocks displayed tremendous resilience and discipline to grind out the result. After a cagey opening, the Shamrocks opened the scoring with a try from Robbie Coso to take the early advantage. As the match wore on, the Shamrocks’ forward pack asserted its dominance, winning many scrums when it mattered and providing a solid platform for their backline to flourish. The score at halftime (14 – 13) to the Rockies showed just how close this game was. The fact that Shoalhaven were unable to add to their points tally in the second half just highlighted the strength of the Shamrock team, but it wasn’t until the final bell that Shamrocks could feel they had done the job. Young guns Simon Bayley, Harry Linden and Ben Ridgway all crossed the whitewash, showcasing the depth of attacking threats within the Shamrocks lineup. Veteran playmaker Ridgway was instrumental once again, slotting four conversions and a penalty goal to complement the team’s four-try haul. Shamrocks’ Strong Finish to the Season Continues This hard-fought victory builds on the Shamrocks’ recent strong form, which has seen them secure a spot in the Grand Final. After overcoming highly placed Bowral in the minor semi-final, the Shamrocks have now produced another clutch performance when it mattered most. As highlighted in our previous coverage, the Shamrocks have hit their stride at the perfect time, with their dominant set-piece, individual match-winners, and collective resilience making them a formidable proposition for any opponent. The challenge now is to translate this momentum into a Grand Final triumph next Saturday against Kiama. Shoalhaven’s Brave Effort Falls Just Short While the result ultimately went the Shamrocks’ way, Shoalhaven 2nd Grade can take great pride in their brave effort. The opposition centre scored a superb try to keep his side in the contest, and they continued to fight until the final whistle. However, the Shamrocks’ superior firepower and control at the set-piece proved too much for Shoalhaven to overcome. This defeat will be a tough pill to swallow for Shoalhaven, who have been one of the competition’s form teams all season. However, Shamrocks’ impressive run to the finals demonstrates the progress they have made and the bright future that lies ahead for this young squad. Grand Final Showdown Awaits As the Shamrocks now turn their attention to the Grand Final, they will be buoyed by their recent performances and the knowledge that they have the tools to triumph against the competition’s best. The clash with Kiama 2nd Grade promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams boasting impressive forward packs and skilled backlines. For the Shamrocks, this Grand Final appearance represents a chance to cap off a season of steady improvement and commitment. As highlighted in our previous articles, the team has weathered early setbacks to emerge as a genuine title contender, and they will be determined to go all the way and lift the trophy next weekend.

Shamrocks Produce Gritty Performance to Clinch Premiership Crown In a tightly contested Grand Final, the Woonoona Shamrocks 2nd Grade have emerged victorious, defeating Kiama 2nd Grade 13-7 to claim the Illawarra 2nd Grade premiership title. This hard-fought triumph, built on a dominant forward display and clinical finishing, sees the Shamrocks cap off a season of steady improvement with the ultimate prize. Shamrocks’ Forward Pack Lays the Foundation From the opening whistle, the Shamrocks’ forward pack asserted their authority, winning a series of crucial scrums and line-outs to lay the foundation for their victory. The entire forward pack was immense in the tight exchanges, laying the platform for the backline to thrive. This set-piece dominance was a key factor in the Shamrocks’ triumph, mirroring the pattern of their recent performances highlighted in our Shoalhaven semi-final and Bowral minor semi-final victories. Clutch Performances from Key Playmakers In a tense and tight affair, the Shamrocks’ experienced heads stood tall when it mattered most. Veteran fly-half Ben Ridgway slotted a crucial penalty goal to put his side ahead, while winger Robbie Coso and lock Jarred Leece both crashed over for well-taken tries. Ridgway’s calm authority and distribution were crucial in helping the Shamrocks navigate the pressure-cooker environment, and Coso and Leece’s ability to capitalise on their opportunities proved the difference in a closely fought contest. Kiama continually gave away crucial penalties at critical times, and the penalty count must have been at least 3 to 1 against a very ill-disciplined Kiama outfit. Part of this surely had to do with the fact that an experienced referee was in charge, and what this team probably had been getting away with in 2nd grade encounters throughout the season was not acceptable in this environment. The Shamrock’s Coaching Team had a well-developed strategy and were determined not to allow the Kiama Flyers out wide to get possession. Shamrocks’ Resilience Shines Through Throughout the match, the Shamrocks showcased their trademark resilience and discipline, weathering periods of Kiama pressure to close out the victory. Time and again, the Shamrocks’ defensive line held firm, with centre Simon Bayley and fullback Bailie Leonard making crucial last-ditch tackles to preserve their slender lead. This ability to grind out results under intense scrutiny has been a hallmark of the Shamrocks’ season, as highlighted in our previous coverage. The team’s collective determination and unwavering focus in the face of adversity were on full display in this Grand Final triumph. Bailie Leonard was named the IDRU’s most valuable player of the game and received three points towards the Club’s Best and Fairest tally. Flanker Bailey Schipp received the Coaches’ 2 points for the game, and Campbell de Montemas, along with Angus Crichton both were rewarded with the one point for the game. Building on a Season of Steady Progress This Grand Final victory represents the culmination of the Shamrocks’ season-long journey, which has seen the team overcome early setbacks to emerge as genuine title contenders. As we’ve documented throughout the campaign, the Shamrocks have steadily improved their performances, with key players stepping up at crucial moments. The team’s ability to peak at the right time has been crucial, with their dominant forward pack, clinical attack, and resolute defence proving too much for their opponents to handle in the finals. This triumph will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the Shamrocks’ confidence and momentum as they look to build on this success in the years to come. A Fitting Conclusion to a Memorable Season In a fitting end to a thrilling Illawarra 2nd Grade campaign, the Shamrocks have emerged victorious, delivering a performance that perfectly encapsulates their season-long progression. From the early setbacks highlighted in our Round 1 article to the steady climb up the ladder, this team has shown remarkable resilience and character to secure the ultimate prize. As the Shamrocks bask in the glory of their Grand Final triumph, they can reflect on a season that has seen them overcome formidable opponents, develop key individuals, and ultimately cement their status as one of the competition’s premier outfits. This victory is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief that has defined the Shamrocks’ 2025 campaign.