The annual Frank Hyde Shield series contested each year between two of rugby league’s foundation clubs, Newtown and North Sydney, is one of the most significant rivalries in the rugby league game outside of the NRL. The two teams and members of the Hyde family are shown at North Sydney Oval after last year’s fiercely-fought series. Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography
The annual Frank Hyde Shield series contested each year between two of rugby league’s foundation clubs, Newtown and North Sydney, is one of the most significant rivalries in the rugby league game outside of the NRL. The two teams and members of the Hyde family are shown at North Sydney Oval after last year’s fiercely-fought series. Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Jets to revisit rugby league’s historic inner-city site

The Newtown Jets returned to Wentworth Park in 2018 for the first time in 91 years, and they will be playing there again this Sunday, 17th February, in a pre-season trial match against North Sydney.

There will in fact be three NSW Rugby League pre-season trial games at Wentworth Park on Sunday, at this historic venue which was one of the first grounds used for rugby league in 1908, the year of the code’s foundation.

Sydney University and Ryde-Eastwood will play in a Sydney Shield trial at 1.15pm on Sunday, followed by the Glebe Dirty Reds Ron Massey Cup squad up against the North Sydney Jersey Flegg trial team at 3.00pm. In the main game at 5.00pm, Newtown plays North Sydney in an Intrust Super Premiership trial match. With respect to the Glebe-North Sydney trial match on Sunday, it will be the first time these two clubs have met at Wentworth Park in over ninety years.

New signings likely to turn out with Newtown on Sunday could include lock forward Siosifa Talakai (formerly with the Penrith Panthers); fullback and winger Chris Tupou (ex-Cronulla Sharks); winger Jalen Reweti (ex-North Sydney); and winger and centre Pio Nakubuwai (ex-Melbourne Storm).

Newtown’s demanding pre-season program has been conducted in a particularly hot and humid summer, but head coach Greg Matterson says he and the Jets staff have been impressed with the squad’s thorough application to their training regimen.

Newtown's head coach George Ndaira (left) and Head of Football Greg Matterson are pictured with the 2024 NSWRL Knock-On Effect NSW Cup premiership trophy. George and Greg are both on deck again as the Newtown Jets head into the 2025 NSW Cup season. 
(Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown’s first NSW Cup trial game for 2025 is against Penrith at Henson Park on Saturday, 8th February at 4.00pm

This photo of the Newtown RLFC players, staff, Directors and sponsors was taken at Henson Park on the day before the final home game for the 2024 season.  (Photo: Mario Facchini)

The Newtown Jets celebrate what was a magnificent year in the history of Australia’s oldest rugby league club

Newtown Jets 2024 Presentation Night Poster

2024 NEWTOWN RLFC NSW CUP PREMIERS PRESENTATION DINNER & AWARDS NIGHT

Newtown's giant front-rower Tuku Hau Tapuha gets into stride as he carries the ball forward in Sunday's NRL State Championship Final. Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography

Second half errors prove costly as the Newtown Jets lose narrowly in the NRL State Championship Final

Barry Vining of the Jets celebrates after the preliminary final of the NSW Cup finals series game between the Newtown Jets and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney on September 23, 2012. Jets defeated Bulldogs 34-6. (Photo by Jason McCawley)

Vale Barry Noel Vining OAM

Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown Jets Team List v Norths Devils Sun 6th October, 2024 (NRL State Championship)

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

HPH-02

Henson Park Hotel
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

Label Plus
Major Sponsor

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.