Jets

KOE NSW Cup Round 11

Saturday 17th May 2025

3pm

 HENSON PARK

Canberra Raiders 2024 220
George Ndaira speaking at the recent Newtown Jets Presentation Night (Photo: Wayne Leong).
George Ndaira speaking at the recent Newtown Jets Presentation Night (Photo: Wayne Leong).

Everything you need to know about Newtown’s new head coach

George Ndaira steps into the Newtown RLFC Knock-On Effect NSW Cup head coaching position after that coaching job had been very capably filled by Greg Matterson from 2008 to 2022.

A St George juniors product, George played as a hooker and halfback with the St George-Illawarra, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and Newcastle Knights NRL squads between 2005 and 2010.

He also represented Lebanon in international rugby league between 2007 and 2009.

He finished his playing career with a two year stint as captain-coach of the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (who play in the Newcastle District Rugby League competition) in 2011 and 2012.

(Incidentally, another former Newtown player of some note ended his playing days as captain-coach of Kurri Kurri – the one and only Johnny Raper).

George played on numerous occasions with the Newtown Jets in the 2007 NSW Cup season while he was contracted with the Sydney Roosters.

George Ndaira in his playing days at the Newtown Jets back in 2007.
 
In the interests of rugby league history, here are all the names for this photo:
Back row, left to right:
Tommy Symonds, Vince Mellars, Rhys Pritchard, James Shillington, Rory Kostjasyn, Steve Meredith, Frank-Paul Nuu’ausala, Hep Cahill, Wayne Pearce and Paul Dawson (standing in for Tom Raudonikis at this presentation ceremony of the 2007 Tom Raudonikis Cup).
Front row, left to right:
Aaron Lai, Grant Millington, Adam Schubert, Danny Williams (Captain), George Ndaira and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Photo: Gary Sutherland Photography.

He was assistant-coach of the Newcastle Knights in the NSW Cup from 2013 to 2016, and then served as assistant NSW Cup coach at Newtown from 2017 to 2021, including the phenomenal 2019 season.

George then coached the Cronulla Sharks Jersey Flegg team in 2022.

All up he has had 8 years assistant-coaching experience at the NSW Cup level, plus a further two years as captain-coach of Kurri Kurri and most recently as head coach of the Cronulla Sharks Jersey Flegg team.

George well and truly knows the Newtown Jets system – he has been a player here and he was a well-regarded assistant-coach under Greg Matterson for five years.

He comes into the Newtown Jets NSW Cup head coaching role with strong recommendations from both Greg Matterson and Craig Fitzgibbon (Cronulla Sharks NRL Head Coach).

Everyone at the Newtown RLFC extends good wishes to George in his new coaching appointment.

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.