Newtown RLFC CEO Stu McCarthy, President Barry Cotter and IWC Mayor Darcy Byrne at the Jets'spiritual home for last week's announcement.
Newtown RLFC CEO Stu McCarthy, President Barry Cotter and IWC Mayor Darcy Byrne at the Jets'spiritual home for last week's announcement.

The Future of Henson Park has been secured

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has announced that Council has secured the future of Henson Park following a $2 million investment to upgrade to the ground.

The project will include improvements to the playing surface, new drainage and irrigation systems and the installation of water tanks to further improve the sustainability of the ground.

Mayor Byrne said this work will help protect the future of the local clubs that use Henson Park, especially the Newtown Jets.

Like all sporting teams across the globe, The Newtown Jets have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 in 2020. The Canterbury Cup is the highest-grade rugby league competition solely in New South Wales, and feeder competition for NRL clubs. It was cancelled after only one round due to the pandemic.

“Local clubs have told us they need these upgrades to make sure they can keep playing at the ground forever,” said Mayor Byrne.

 “The Club has fought hard and managed to survive this year, with their main source of income – revenue from home games at Henson Park – having been taken away by COVID-19.

“We are getting this refurbishment completed in the off-season so clubs can be back on the ground in 2021,” said Mayor Byrne.

Stuart McCarthy, Newtown Jets CEO, welcomed the announcement and said it would go a long way to ensuring that another rugby league foundation club is not lost.

“I extend the deepest thanks from everyone at the Newtown Jets to Inner West Council for undertaking this investment. said Mr McCarthy.

“The Jets first played at Henson Park in 1936. We’ve gone through some periods throughout this time, and 2020 has definitely been one of them, but these upgrades to the ground will help keep the Jets flying in 2021 and beyond, said Mr McCarthy.

Henson Park first opened in 1933 and has hosted cricket, rugby league, soccer and Australian rules football teams throughout its history. It was also used as the main venue for track cycling during the 1938 British Empire Games.

(Source: Inner West Council Media Release)

Hard-running centre Nene Macdonald played on numerous occasions for the Newtown Jets in 2021.  Last Sunday Nene was playing for Papua-New Guinea against the Cook Islands in the 2023 Pacific Championships - Pacific Bowl and he scored four tries. (Photo: Mike Magee).

Information about 2024 Newtown RLFC memberships; Newtown Jets playing in the 2023 Pacific Championship Series; and a reminder about Newtown RLFC merchandise.

Kyle Pickering and Daniel Atkinson, Italian rugby league representative team, 7th October 2023 (NSWRL Twitter) crop

These Newtown Jets players have gained selection in various end of season representative rugby league teams

Newtown Jets 2023 Presentation Night bottom image for web post

The Newtown Jets RLFC held its Annual Presentation Dinner on the evening of Friday, 29th September 2023 at the Petersham RSL Club.

Newtown Jets left-edge backrower Kyle Pickering (in possession) about to score at Henson Park on Saturday, 22nd July 2023. Jets fullback Manaia Waitere salutes the crowd after playing a clever role in setting up the try. (Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography)

Newtown RLFC 2023 Presentation Dinner Details

July 22, 2023 - Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, Kyle Pickering of the Newtown Jets scores his second try of the game during Round 21 of the NSWRL Knock On Effect NSW Cup at Henson Park in Marrickville, New South Wales. (Mario Facchini/mafphotography)

Newtown RLFC 2023 Presentation Night Details

Sunday Sun 603

The Other Premiers of 1943

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Invisi-Gard
Jersey Minor

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

Schofield King Lawyers
Sleeve

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

The Henson
Back of Shorts

Sydney Park Hotel
Back of Shorts

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.