Joe Wade pictured here in Newtown's 1940 First Grade team next to Frank Farrell.
Joe Wade pictured here in Newtown's 1940 First Grade team next to Frank Farrell.

Vale Joe Wade

Newtown’s oldest living former player Joe Wade has passed away at the age of 99. The Rugby League historian David Middleton is certain that Joe was also the oldest living former NSW Rugby League first grader.

Joe Wade’s passing severs one of the last remaining links with an era in the Newtown club’s history that now seems almost impossibly far away.

Joe grew up on a farm outside of Oberon on the NSW central-western tablelands. He moved to Sydney in the late 1930’s and became a wharfie at Darling Harbour. He was graded with Newtown in 1939 and played seven first grade games in 1940. Joe’s first grade team-mates included some of Newtown’s most illustrious names of the 1940’s – Frank “Bumper” Farrell, George Debnam, Jim Brailey, Athol “The Monaro Express” Stewart, Tommy Nevin, Tom Kirk, George Stonestreet, Lin McLean, Keith Phillips and Percy Williams.

Joe later moved to Lithgow where he worked as a coal miner. He played and then coached with different Rugby League clubs in Lithgow well into the 1950’s. The Wade family later moved to Toronto on the western shores of Lake Macquarie.

His family brought him to the Newtown RLFC centenary function at the Newtown Town Hall on the 8th January 2008, where he made a huge impression on those who had the honour of meeting him on that august occasion. Joe’s presence topped off what was a truly memorable day in the club’s history and he was hailed as a living treasure of the Newtown club.

He retained a keen interest in the club’s activities and he was very proud of his special association with the Bluebags. His family members told us that he took great pleasure in the Jets’ 2012 NSW Cup premiership victory.

Newtown RLFC extends sincere condolences to all the members of the Wade family on Joe’s passing, and we are very proud of Joe’s contribution to the Newtown club and to Rugby League 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.