To make up the numbers the Club did two things: – they invented the names of some players and entered them on the Match sheets and/or they played whoever they could muster to run on under those names. The Club drew the ire of officialdom over the playing of unregistered players with the IDRU October Executive Meeting passing the following motion at one of their meetings: “that the Delegates of Woonona Shamrocks be requested to appear at the next meeting to explain irregularities in registration forms and results sheets, and failing their appearance, that the club be called upon to show cause why it should not be disaffiliated by the Union”.

The Club was fined $2.00 each time the IDRU got evidence that an unregistered player had been used. The Shamrocks philosophy was to test the system and to try and get away with “approximate accuracy if not strict accuracy” (Bruce Ross). This was to be the start of a “love-hate relationship” with the officialdom of the district’s governing body!

Bruce Ross acquired the reputation for being the “Golden Tongued Orator”, appearing regularly before the judiciary and other District Committees to espouse the qualities of the new Shamrocks. The new club set a precedent with “shift work” training sessions – normal training was Monday and Wednesday evenings, but because of the number of shift workers Keith “Sluggo” Walker also ran training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for those who couldn’t make it at night – an innovative working class solution.

Woonona Shamrocks First Competition Game in IDRU April 11 1970 at University.

Shamrocks are Peter Craig, Phil Chilby & Gary Hawkins

The Woonona Shamrocks first set of playing jerseys were apparently donated to the club by Mr. Jack Ryan consisting of a white jumper with a green saddle which was “supposed” to be matched with green shorts. The Ladies Auxiliary washed and repaired all the football jumpers after each game – “Sluggo” Walker recollects: “The girls did a great job of removing a lot of blood from the jumpers usually sewing them back together after the rucks, mauls and fights that the boys loved so much. Shamrocks were not the best Rugby players in the Illawarra but they may have been the best presented!”

Brown Muscat became known as “Shamrock Champagne” and it became a traditional drink of the players at half time of each game, to provide the boys with the spirit required to sustain them through the second half until full time.

“Sluggo” again: “Originally, the players changed and showered at Woonona Surf Club. At the time there were 2 football fields at Nicho Park and on occasions there were 2 games of football being played at the same time with Shamrocks on one field and the Woonona Colts Rugby League team on the other. After the games we showered and went to Hooper’s for the presentation and Choir Practice. We didn’t win many games (only the fights) but NEVER lost a singing contest. And we built an enviable record in post match “boat-racing” (and this great rugby tradition continues to this day at Ocean Park during the presentation ceremonies that follow every seniors match.)

The Royal Hotel Woonona affectionately known as Hoopers was the watering hole and social hub for Shamrocks 1968-1983. Situated on the hill on the Prince’s Highway players and supporters gathered there after games, after training and after anything else.

In late July 1970 the Mercury’s rugby column printed this: Woonona Shamrocks Rugby Union Club President Bruce Ross has refuted rumours his club may disband at the end of the season. “The Woonona club is progressing into one of the strongest in the district and the rumours are rubbish.” He said, “even though we are likely wooden spooners in all 3 grades, morale in the club could not be higher. Possibly some of the recent trouble about result sheets and registration forms may have led to the rumours. But it is difficult for a young club to become fully organized and perhaps a few minor allegations by district officials could be overlooked. In a few seasons we will be a force to be reckoned with”.

As Bruce Ross predicted the inaugural season was marked by the rare feat of running last in each of the three grades. Both ‘A’ & ‘B’ Grades went winless while ‘C’ Grade won 2 games and drew 2 others to amass a total of 6 competition points. Each foundation player had the distinction of being presented with an engraved wooden spoon as a memento of their first season as a Shammie.

“Although this club finished the season with 3 wooden spoons it is to be congratulated for
fulfilling all of its playing commitments and for providing an extra opponent for the other ‘A
‘grade teams.”

The trials and tribulations of Season ONE drew the Club members together as a group, and resulted in a growing reputation for good times and camaraderie. At the conclusion of the season the IDRU recorded in its minutes: “Although this club finished the season with 3 wooden spoons it is to be congratulated for fulfilling all of its playing commitments and for providing an extra opponent for the other ‘A ‘grade teams.”

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Excerpt from “50 Years of Rugby: The Woonona Way” by Mick Traynor, documenting the history of the Woonona Shamrocks Rugby Union Football Club from 1970 to 2019. Reproduced with permission from the author.

To read more of the book, you can download it here.