The Jets continue to make good progress in their pre-season training program

The Newtown RLFC and the NSW Rugby League have voiced their concerns about the second-tier restructure proposal put forward recently by the NRL’s Head of Strategy Shane Richardson. The NSW Rugby League issued this statement on Tuesday morning, 1st December.

Pathways Proposal Concerns: –

CUP’S RUNNETH OVER:

The management of the NSWRL and the CRL, as well as clubs, have expressed concern at plans presented to the ARL Commission that would influence the structure of second-tier Rugby League. A special sub-committee appointed by the NSWRL Board and Clubs to provide input into pathways proposals met yesterday. The committee expressed concern at many aspects of a proposal that NRL Head of Strategy Shane Richardson presented to the ARL Commission in October and which they believe has subsequently been approved in principle. These concerns are shared by the NSWRL Board, Clubs and the CRL, with the NSWRL and the CRL requesting an urgent meeting with Richardson prior to any further progress reports being provided to the Commission. Sub-committee Chairman Bob Millward has invited Shane Richardson to the group’s next meeting in mid-December. Terry Rowney and Stuart McCarthy are Newtown’s representatives on this NSWRL Sub-Committee, and they will be presenting the Newtown RLFC point of view with the utmost focus and conviction.

Greg Matterson’s pre-season training update:

Newtown Jets head coach Greg Matterson reports that the young Jets squad has trained impressively over the past two weeks. It is a young, enthusiastic squad and the coaching staff are certain of unearthing some new talents. The boys are working extremely hard four days a week in various locations – in the gymnasium at 4 Rich Street, Marrickville; on the training track and oval at Mahoney Reserve in South Marrickville; and at different beachside and bayside locations on Saturday mornings. Greg said the squad put in a most searching workout last Saturday morning at Clovelly.

Get to know who’s in the Jets 2016 pre-season training squad:

Jake Jackson – ex-Cabramatta Ron Massey Cup team.

Saxon Onur – recommended by Adrian Lam after his performance on the NRL Rookie TV reality show. Ex-Wollongong Collegians.

Richard Pohahau – ex-Cabramatta Ron Massey Cup.

Corin Smith – Played with Newtown in 2015. Has obviously been working on strength development since the end of August which will be of great assistance to his game.

Tarek Elmasri – Played with Newtown in 2015. Played for Lebanon in the recent World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.

Malakai Houma – Played with Newtown in 2015. Has obviously done plenty of weights work since the end of the 2015 season and is continuing to work hard.

Brent Anderson – centre; ex-Illawarra Cutters NSW Cup and ex-St George-Illawarra Under 20’s.

Treyvon Leuluai – son of former Newtown forward Phil Leuluai. Treyvon is 20 years old; 192 cm; 115 kg; front-rower, second rower; played junior football with Mangere East in Auckland; ex-South Sydney NYC.

Jackson Briskey-Luscombe – Ex-Gold Coast Titans NYC squad. He is a product of the Pittsworth Danes in the Toowoomba Rugby League club competition.

Ahmad Ellaz – Played with Newtown in 2015. Played for Lebanon in the recent World Cup qualifiers in South Africa. Ahmad is very well known to Jets fans.

Tevita Vea – 22; second rower; ex-Marist Saints in the Auckland Fox Memorial Shield competition; represented Akarana Falcons (Northern Auckland) in the New Zealand Rugby League National Provincial Championships.

Daniel Abou-Sleiman – Played with Newtown in 2015. Played for Lebanon in the recent World Cup qualifiers in South Africa. Daniel was in top form at the end of the 2015 NSW Cup season.

Kurt Kara – long-serving Newtown hooker, lock and five-eighth. Represented New Zealand Maoris in 2014 and is a product of the NZ Warriors development system.

Arana Taumata – he was most recently with Tumut in Group 9 and South Newcastle. He is determined to make 2016 his best year.

Harrison Muller – an impressive looking customer. Ex-Scots College Rugby 1st XV; has been chosen in the Emerging Blues squad; ex-Cronulla Sharks 2015 NYC. Looks like a younger version of David Klemmer. The training staff say he has a great physical frame to build on.

Levy Sopi – ex-Cronulla Sharks 2015 NYC.

Kurt Dillon – played with Newtown in 2015. Has reported for 2016 training very fit and focused.

Kenny Niko – 23; centre/second rower; ex-Wests Magpies Ron Massey Cup in 2015.

Jordan Abouhaidar – 21; lock, second-row, front-row. Ex-Guildford Ron Massey Cup 2015.

Matthew Evans – played in the centres and on the wing with Newtown in 2014. Missed most of 2015 with injury.

The Newtown club wishes good luck to veteran front-rower Ray Moujalli who has accepted an offer from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Ray has made a great contribution to the Jets in different stints with the club.

Mahoney Reserve in South Marrickville has strong links to the Newtown RLFC from earlier decades. The senior grades used the ground as their pre-season training base in the 1940’s and 1950’s, and Newtown’s junior representative teams trained there in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Wayne Leong is well-known as an extremely keen Newtown Jets and Sydney Roosters supporter. Wayne has kindly supplied these photos taken at the Newtown Jets training sessions in the past week: – Thursday, 27th November: https://www.flickr.com/gp/77485209@N05/UMs2Uu and Tuesday, 1st December: https://www.flickr.com/gp/77485209@N05/0xW99h

Newtown’s trial matches for 2016 have been announced. Further details will be made known to you as soon as possible: Saturday, 6th February: v North Sydney at Henson Park (kick-off time to be confirmed); Sunday, 14th February: Cronulla-Sutherland v Manly-Warringah at Shark Park, 5pm kick-off. Newtown contracted players will play with the Sharks. Saturday, 20th February: Wests Tigers v Cronulla-Sutherland at Campbelltown Stadium; kick-off times to be finalised.

The latest Rugby League Player magazine (Season 7, Issue 25) is now available in newsagencies. There is an article on the Newtown Jets (plus photos) on page 8 of this issue.

Looking for that special Xmas gift suggestion? Why not buy a family member or friend a Newtown Jets membership package for 2016? Our marketing staff can offer you a range of membership packages to suit all budgets. Whether you live in the Sydney metropolitan area and it is possible for you to attend Newtown’s home games at Henson Park, or if you are from regional NSW, interstate or overseas, we have a Newtown Jets membership package that will suit your specific needs. You would be doing our old club a great service if you can encourage other members of your family and from your circle of friends to also take out Newtown Jets memberships, and thereby boost our club’s prospects of remaining a competitive force in Rugby League into the future. Go to this link for information on Newtown Jets 2016 memberships: http://www.newtownjets.com/jets-membership-2016/

Newtown’s great range of Jets clothing and merchandise also provides you with plenty of Xmas gift options. Go to: www.newtownjetsclothing.com.au where you can make your selections and purchase the gifts online. Get in now – Xmas is only three weeks away today!

Make sure that you, your work colleagues, family members and friends keep up with all the latest Newtown Jets developments. Follow the Newtown Jets on Twitter: www.twitter.com/newtownrlfc; on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newtownrlfc; on Instagram: www.instagram.com/newtownrlfc, and also by receiving these emails newsletters by going to jets@newtownjets.com and requesting a newsletter subscription.

Father Dave Smith, Parish Priest at the Holy Trinity Church, Dulwich Hill (corner of Herbert and Seaview Streets, Dulwich Hill) is a great Newtown Jets supporter and a tremendous worker for our community. The Holy Trinity Church celebrates its 100 years this Sunday, 6th December, and it is also Father Dave’s 25th year in the parish. A Newtown Jets banner is to be carried in the Centenary Procession which starts at 9.00am. The new Parish Youth and Community Centre is also to be opened this Sunday morning. All Newtown Jets supporters are welcome to view the procession and to help celebrate this joyous occasion in inner-western Sydney community life.

(Source: JETS Newsletter by Glen ‘Bumper’ Dwyer)