Kayal Iro bursts free to score a valuable try against North Sydney on the 8th May 2022. (Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography
Kayal Iro bursts free to score a valuable try against North Sydney on the 8th May 2022. (Photo: Mario Facchini / mafphotography

Kayal Iro caps a stellar season with more awards

(Article supplied by Margie McDonald from the NSW Rugby League.)

A bumper year for Newtown Jets centre Kayal Iro has extended well into the off-season with the 22-year-old picking up three awards at club’s presentation night.

The Jets held their post-season gala night in mid-November to give Iro time to return to Sydney from the 2021 World Cup in the UK, where he played all three games for the Cook Islands.

Iro picked up the Jets’ prestigious Fred Daly Memorial Shield – for the most positive contribution in a season – and the Brian Moore Shield for Best and Fairest in 2022.

His third honour was to be voted the Newtown RLFC Members’ Player of the Year Award.

Iro was up and down off the stage at the Petersham RSL Club with regularity, which was no surprise considering his season’s achievements.

He was named NSWRL’s NSW Cup Player of the Year at the Brad Fittler Medal Award dinner in September and was also a key member of the Cook Islands Rugby League World Cup squad.

Other 2022 Newtown Jets players who won Rugby League World Cup selection were Reubenn Rennie and Vincent Rennie (Cook Islands); Charbel Tasipale and Kayne Kalache (Lebanon); and Billy Magoulias (Greece).

Kayal Iro (above) receives his Best and Fairest award at the Newtown Jets Presentation Night.

This was after he finished second in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup for tackle-breaks (110) behind Jets teammate Lachie Miller (115).

Iro was third for line-breaks (17) across the competition and equal-fifth for tries (14) with teammate Luke Metcalf in NSW Cup action.

He also made his NRL debut for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in their Round 24 win over Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Kayal Iro on winning NSW Cup Player of The Year

Other 2022 Jets awards included:

– front-rower Tom Hazelton receiving the Coach’s Award;

– backline utility Tyla Tamou winning the Players’ Player Award;

– fullback and five-eighth Kade Dykes, the Most Consistent Player of the Year Award;

– Jesse Colquhoun, the Forward of the Year Award;

– front-rower Caleb Uele named the Most Improved Player of the Year.

Caleb is the younger brother of Sharks prop Braden Hamlin-Uele and has earned a Sharks pre-season ‘train and trial’ contract.

Tyla Tamou and Greg Matterson at the Newtown Jets Presentation night at the Petersham RSL Club.

The presentation night also provided the Newtown Jets community the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Greg Matterson, who is stepping down after a highly successful career as head coach of the NSW Cup team from 2008 to 2022.

His record with the Jets includes two NSW Cup premierships, one NRL State Championship, runners-up (twice), preliminary finalists (twice), and semi-finalists (four times).

Matterson remains with the Newtown RLFC in the newly-created position of Head of Football.

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.