The NSW Waratahs have secured the services of local product Tane Edmed, with the emerging flyhalf signing a two-year deal keeping him in sky blue at least until the end of the 2024 season.
Edmed is a product of the Waratahs and club rugby pathways graduating from the New South Wales Rugby Academy system and Elite Development Squad into the full-time playing squad and gaining invaluable experience with Eastwood in the Shute Shield.
The Trinity Grammar School product was also named the Dave Dennis Elite Youth Development Player at the completion of the 2020 season after steering Eastwood into the Grand Final in his debut season of 1st Grade.
Edmed has had a breakout season in 2022 for the Waratahs, playing a role in season-defining wins over the Crusaders at Leichhardt Oval and the Waratah’s first win in Dunedin in over 14 years against the Highlanders.
The young Waratahs flyhalf was ecstatic to remain in his home state for a further two seasons.
“Yeah, it's pretty unbelievable, I grew up here, have a lot of close friends in the team and there's just such a good feeling around the group,” Edmed said.
“The coaching group here is world-class and I feel that it’s the best place for my development as a person and a player, and one of the main reasons I’m staying.
“The future is really exciting here with the new facility, the new stadium, and in this incredible culture that we’re building, so it would be silly to leave.
“At the start of the season DC asked us what kind of legacy we want to leave or what our goals are, and mine was to be a part of this journey in rebuilding the Waratahs getting the team back to where it deserves to be.
“I love playing for the Waratahs and can see myself being here for years to come.”
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman was delighted to retain another pathway product.
“Tane’s had a breakout season and sometimes it just shows guys just need an opportunity, and once he got it, he took it with both hands,” Coleman said.
“It’s a great reflection of the quality of the pathway system that he’s come through, from NSW schools into our academy and then graduating into the main team.
“Tane has a big future both here at the Waratahs and with the wallabies if his game keeps developing.
“As a team man and a person, he’s first-class, he plays tough week in and week out and the boys love him. We’ve seen from the Crusaders game how much he cares about this team; he wears his heart on his sleeve which is awesome.”
