Parramatta Rugby Club, one of the oldest and toughest clubs in the Sydney Premier Rugby competition, steps up its campaign to lift the club back to its glory days with a “Back to Parra Day” this Saturday at the Woolpack Hotel.
The club plays Randwick at Granville Park, its grand final nemesis in the 70s and 80s. So the day will begin at midday at the Woolpack, move to the ground for the first grade match, and then return for screenings of some of their grand final triumphs.
“Yes, there will be replays in the club of the grand final wins, a BBQ and drinks till late at the Woolpack and we expect Ray Price and some of our past greats to be there,” explained Peter Thompson, Vice President of Parramatta Rugby.
“The theme of the day is around two value sets: Fighting Back and Parramatta Proud. Fighting Back is a planned journey that will take the club through difficult times and reposition its place in Sydney rugby. Parramatta Proud is a way of life for us all.“
Apart from a remarkable history in Sydney Rugby going back to 1879, the Two Blues have produced eighteen Wallabies over the years, starting with the great Bill Cerrutti back in 1936 through to the club’s most recent, Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Their other Wallabies are Bob Brown 1975, Phil Clements 1982, Patrick Cooper 1965, John Griffiths 1982, Peter Kay 1988, Ken Kearney 1947-48, Martin Knight 1978-79, Andrew Leeds 1986-88, Michael Martin 1980-82, Adrian McDonald 1983,Tony Melrose 1978-79, Rod Phelps 1961, Don Price 1978, Ray Price 1974-75, Eric Tweedale 1946-49, Lance Walker 1981 and Stan Wickham back in 1901-06.
Former Wallaby Rod Phelps took over as captain-coach in 1971 and for three years he improved Parramatta’s standing in the rugby fraternity.
Grand final appearances in 1974 and 1975 showed that the club was well on its way to becoming a force to be reckoned with.
To date, Parramatta has played in eight First Grade grand finals.
Parramatta officials and players are doing a terrific job in the face of tougher times and lack of funding, with players agreeing to return to the amateur days of playing for the passion of the game.
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