The Asquith Magpies are pleased to announce that in 2018 we are back in the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield Competitions run by the NSWRL. We will also be fielding a C Grade team. Asquith have entered into an exclusive 2 year Pathways Partnership with the North Sydney Bears which will see a clear pathway for our Ron Massey, Sydney Shield and Under 19’s players as well any North Sydney Junior League player aspiring to reach the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
At least one of the Ron Massey and Sydney Shield rounds will be played at North Sydney Oval along with their ISP and Jersey Flegg games and this will present a great opportunity for our young Magpies teams to play between matches on the Bears home ground.
Leading the Magpies in this exciting new partnership with the Bears will be Head Coach, Pat Weisner. Pat has had years of experience both playing and coaching in the UK before returning to Australia and playing and coaching Cabramatta and Blacktown in both Ron Massey Cup and ISP. Pat will be joined by former Asquith player Brad Horder as his Assistant Coach as well as Richie Philips (Strength & Conditioning), Andrew Clout (Trainer & Strapper), Dan Cochran (Trainer & Assistant) and Justin Fox (Game Day Manager) all joining Asquith stalwarts, Glenn Worne (Trainer) and Greg Loomes (Trainer) at the Magpies.
We are also excited to have Daniel Hutton who has many years experience both as a Trainer and Coach with the NRL, South Sydney and Rouse Hill Coaching our 19s. Daniel was also Head Trainer of the Massey & Shield teams in 2016 before winning a C Grade Premiership in the Parramatta Competition this year.
A blend of old and new will see us venture into a strong C Grade (Under 19s) Competition in 2018. Last year we unfortunately lost a few players to rugby league or to other clubs because we were unable to field a team but hopefully in 2018 we will see many of these guys return and along with our new exclusive pathways agreement with the North Sydney Bears we should see some talent coming back from both Norths SG Ball (Under 18s) when they finish their competition in April and Norths Jersey Flegg (Under 20s) throughout the season.
Our C Grade team officials are as follows:
Head Coach – Daniel Hutton who has had a wealth of coaching and training experience with the NRL, South Sydney and was Head Trainer of the Asquith Magpies Ron Massey/Sydney Shield Squad in 2016. Daniel is also Assistant Coach of the North Sydney Bears SG Ball in 2018.
Assistant Coach/Trainer – Neal Ford previously from Rouse Hill and Head Trainer for North Sydney Bears SG Ball in 2018.
Trainer – Mitch Gaffey who has also worked previously with Daniel.
Trainer – Adrian Barnett who has played Ron Massey and Sydney Shield with the Asquith Magpies and is now turning his hand to being a team official.
Manager – Hugh Hutton, Daniel’s father who has assisted, supported and worked alongside Daniel many times in the past.
We are also pleased to announce that Ryan Wheeler has been appointed Coach of the Sydney Shield Team for 2018. Ryan who has played Ron Massey and Sydney Shield over a number of years and been with the Magpies for several seasons, will work closely alongside Pat and Daniel.
This is an exciting time for the Asquith Magpies and a great opportunity for our Coaches to work alongside of the Bears Coaches in Shane Millard (ISP Head Coach), Will Leyshon (Jersey Flegg – 20s) and Peter Palmer (SG Ball – 18s).
To find out more about our new partnership with the Bears, please click here for the North Sydney Bears media statement.
Training for Ron Massey, Sydney Shield and 19s will start on Tuesday 28 November at a venue yet to be determined. Looking forward to seeing the bulk of this year’s team as well as newcomers to the Club.
Brian Fulmer
President
Asquith Rugby League Club Ltd