LOCAL LIFE
Saints celebrates 115 years of success
A night to remember : The gala anniversary dinner followed a great day ’ s double play , with current Saints victorious on the field , then later mingling with the ‘ old guard ’ for the formal dinner recognising 115 years of passion , volunteerism , mateship and success .
by Maryann Callaghan
“ Once you ’ re a Saint , you ’ re a Saint for life .”
Often said by generations of players and families , this declaration repeated by Adam Przybyla to the Independent isn ’ t just a team motto wantonly bandied about by a group of rugby league mates .
It ’ s a long-held truth - one which nurtured a formidable and successful institution that made St Marys Rugby
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Women are invited to register to attend the 2023 Blacktown City Women ’ s Forum for Western Sydney to have their say on the key issues affecting them .
The unique forum , an initiative of the Blacktown City Council Women ’ s Advisory Committee , invites women to come together on 6 July to discuss issues and explore solutions to improve their livesand their communities .
Blacktown City Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Blacktown Women ’ s Advisory Committee , Julie Griffiths AO , said : “ The Women ’ s Forum is a fantastic opportunity to share ideas and work togetheron solutions to build positive change and empower local women and girls .
“ This forum will give the women and girls of Western Sydney an important platform to raise their voice and present their ideas and experiences to key decision-makers .
“ It is so important that Council and other community leaders and organisations , hear the thoughts and concerns of women so we can better address these issues and create a better and safer City .”
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said , “ Blacktown City is home to more than 200,000 women and girls , there are many challenges women face in all areas , including employment , education , health and personal safety .
League Club one of the largest junior rugby league clubs in the world and , one of the most successful in the history of the game .
Fresh from celebrating the club ’ s 115th anniversary on 17 June , Adam who is Saints Rugby League manager said the recent milestone is testament to the proud traditions held by everyone involved in the club ’ s longevity and prosperity .
“ Our members have invested so much into this club , it ’ s the generational history
“ This forum will explore issues ranging from domestic violence to economic equality , and look at ways we can improve women ’ s opportunities and outcomes .”
The forum will feature a panel of inspiring women , including :
• Karen McKeown OAM – Member for Penrith
• Donna Davis – Member for Parramatta
• Dr Brenda Hayman – Lecturer at Western Sydney University
• Colleen Mitchell – Educator and proud Darug woman
• Meagan Finlay – Detective Inspector , Crime Management , Riverstone Police
Registrations : ESSENTIAL and open to women aged 15 years and over . Register at www . eventbrite . com . au / e / 662609461737 and connections we have that make us so strong ,” Adam explained to the Independent .
“ Previous generations gave so much when many had so little back then . They gave their time , volunteered to help in everything , they had such a generous fundraising spirit which continues today , that ’ s what makes us so successful .”
Saints is as old as rugby league itself , having formed in the Penrith-St Marys district in 1908 , the very year the 13-man game was founded as the NSWRFL , the predecessor of the NRL .
The milestone anniversary , attended by more than 300 past and current players , coaches , trainers , managers , committee members and officials , in St Marys Rugby League Club ’ s showroom , was a proud gathering with plenty of laughs , tales and recognition of outstanding service on and off the field .
“ It brought Saints of all ages together , it was a fantastic night ,” Adam , who has been in the game as a player , coach and manager for more than 30 years , said .
“ Young players got to reconnect with their club ’ s past and older players had
Celebrating their decisive win over the Committeemen in 1955
The first Saints club in 1908 .
plenty of experience , and stories , to pass down .
“ We recognised club life members , junior league men , life member trophy winners and commemorated many years of service . We celebrated our history and are proud to carry on the family traditions of our club .”
In marking a full day of celebrations , the adjacent Saints Stadium also hosted two landmark games – the Saints Sydney Shield and Ron Massey Cup . Saints were victorious in both games against arch-rivals Brothers Penrith , scores 28-24 and 30-24 respectively .
Saints ’ Massey Cup players wore heritage strips on their jerseys and white shorts in a nostalgic nod to former team outfits .
Today , with more than 1000 players , the club supports and nurtures the development of 63 rugby league sides from under 6s through to the Ron Massey Cup .
Many fine players have come through St Marys over the last 115 years , many going on to play first grade , successfully representing their state and country including current Panthers greats Jarome Luai , Brian To ’ o , Stephen Crichton , Lindsay Smith , Moses Leota and Izack Tago to name a few .
The Belles of St Marys
The Belles of St Marys ( 1955-1956 ) were formed when the women challenged the club committee to an end of season charity day match .
Their name was a spin on the title of the popular Bing Crosby film The Bells of St Mary ’ s . A committeeman who survived the match said later I was never so terrified . They ripped up the rule book and came at me claws and all . I feigned injury to get off the files .
Beats the men hands down . They proceed to take on all comers before being defeated by a women ’ s rep team from Queensland . The referee ? No less than the legendary Clive Churchill .
* Information courtesy of Never a Backward Step the Story of St Marys Rugby League Club by Alan Whiticker .
8 ISSUE 28 // JULY 2023 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT