The Shamrock Family: Generations of Rugby Loyalty with the Aylett’s
Shamrock Family:
From L – R Stephen, Barry and David, Corey and
Richard.
The strength of the club is based on the ongoing long
term commitment and dedication of its families
reinforcing the camaraderie and enthusiasm that the
‘Rocks espouse. Together the Ayletts have tallied
over 650 games for the Rockies.
Over the 50 years that the Club has been running there has arisen a strong sense of “family” within its ranks – they have referred to this important feature of the Club’s culture as “the Shamrock Family” and it is an indicator of the intense loyalty that many Rockies families have shown to the Club and to each other.
Many factors can be attributed to the development of this underpinning camaraderie amongst club members. The bonds built amongst the players as they struggled to field teams in the early years is one, and their relative lack of success in those years is probably another. The conviviality they shared in those days also probably helped build this club spirit – having a good time was important to them. These factors are still there in 2019.
While the first bunch of Shamrocks “matured” and became fathers it was inevitable that their offspring became Shamrock juniors, and some of these went on to become a “second generation” of grade players. The Club is now witnessing a “third generation” emerging. As the growth of the club’s juniors took root fathers were keen to ensure that their kids became Shamrocks – so they stepped up to help with coaching, and training and supporting them and the strong bonds were maintained.
Through the success of the 90s the Club grew strong and the spirit stayed alive – the “family members” served on the committees or just helped with the myriad of jobs that a club needs done to survive and grow. In many cases the wives, partners, parents, grandparents, relatives, or friends also became involved, and the associated socialization strengthened this sense of “family” within the club culture.
There is certain repetitiveness about some of the names and photos that keep appearing in the Club records and throughout this book. The lists in the Appendices will reveal those who have provided outstanding service to the Club., but there are many names that don’t appear there who have still played a major role in this Shamrock Family and can proudly claim to be part of the Pack of Shamrocks.
behind this tally with over 630 games, while the
Wylie brothers have amassed over 740 games,
but these families are two generational.
The Club’s first Centurion was Bruce Fergusson in 1975 and he also became the first double centurion in 1979. The first triple centurion was Grahame Tresidder and the first 400 gamer was Ray Wylie.
The first father and son combination to play together in a premiership winning team was Bruce and Brendan Fergusson in the 1983 Fourth Grade team.
The first father and son Shamrocks to be selected for NSW Country teams were Rod Mercer (1983) and Heath Mercer (2009).
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.
