Jets

KOE NSW Cup Round 11

Saturday 17th May 2025

3pm

 HENSON PARK

Canberra Raiders 2024 220
Joe Wade pictured here in Newtown's 1940 First Grade team next to Frank Farrell.
Joe Wade pictured here in Newtown's 1940 First Grade team next to Frank Farrell.

Vale Joe Wade

Newtown’s oldest living former player Joe Wade has passed away at the age of 99. The Rugby League historian David Middleton is certain that Joe was also the oldest living former NSW Rugby League first grader.

Joe Wade’s passing severs one of the last remaining links with an era in the Newtown club’s history that now seems almost impossibly far away.

Joe grew up on a farm outside of Oberon on the NSW central-western tablelands. He moved to Sydney in the late 1930’s and became a wharfie at Darling Harbour. He was graded with Newtown in 1939 and played seven first grade games in 1940. Joe’s first grade team-mates included some of Newtown’s most illustrious names of the 1940’s – Frank “Bumper” Farrell, George Debnam, Jim Brailey, Athol “The Monaro Express” Stewart, Tommy Nevin, Tom Kirk, George Stonestreet, Lin McLean, Keith Phillips and Percy Williams.

Joe later moved to Lithgow where he worked as a coal miner. He played and then coached with different Rugby League clubs in Lithgow well into the 1950’s. The Wade family later moved to Toronto on the western shores of Lake Macquarie.

His family brought him to the Newtown RLFC centenary function at the Newtown Town Hall on the 8th January 2008, where he made a huge impression on those who had the honour of meeting him on that august occasion. Joe’s presence topped off what was a truly memorable day in the club’s history and he was hailed as a living treasure of the Newtown club.

He retained a keen interest in the club’s activities and he was very proud of his special association with the Bluebags. His family members told us that he took great pleasure in the Jets’ 2012 NSW Cup premiership victory.

Newtown RLFC extends sincere condolences to all the members of the Wade family on Joe’s passing, and we are very proud of Joe’s contribution to the Newtown club and to Rugby League football.

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v Canberra Raiders Sat 17th May, 2025

Ron Sigsworth in action against the North Sydney Bears at Henson Park on Monday 13th June 1983. Ron scored a try in the 16 all draw.

Vale Ron Sigsworth

Terry Welsh was in Newtown's 1974 NSWRL Reserve Grade premiership-winning squad. 
He is third in from the right in the front row.  (Photo: Newtown RLFC)

Vale Terry Welsh

The Newtown Jets bring down a Parramatta Eels player in Saturday's match at Henson Park.  Photo: Daniel Cabrita.

Newtown Jets errors and poor discipline punished by the Parramatta Eels

Image: Harrison Tse

Newtown Jets Team List v St George Illawarra Dragons Sun 11th May 2025 (NSWRL Magic Round / Tom Kirk Cup)

Number 13 in the Newtown Jets jersey is Hohepa Puru, who has been in great form in the midfield with the Newtown Jets since transferring from the Canberra Raiders. (Photo: Harrison Tse).

The fired-up Wests Magpies make the Jets work hard for their win

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Eclectic 365
Chest

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

PHILTER
Shoulder blades, Brewing

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

VIC on the Park
Back of Shorts

Strive Fitness
Gym

Sports Medicine Institute
Medical Services & Rehabilitation

Henson Park Hotel
Back of Shorts

Arista Technologies
Technology Partner

Newtown Jets respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the Land and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on and that the land area encompassing Henson Park traditionally belonged to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.