With the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season drawn to a close, the NSW Waratahs would like to take the opportunity to thank all the match day volunteers who have given up their own time this year to support the smooth running of our match days.
We would like to acknowledge their contribution to the NSW Waratahs and to our great game.
Who are these special people behind the scenes?
Michael Clay, now a permanent fixture in the match operations team, has been volunteering with NSW Rugby Union for forty two years!
“We are very lucky to have Mick as part of our Match Day team, with an incredible amount of experience and passion for the game, Mick gets stuck into match day set up as soon as he arrives on site and brings a lovely calm presence to the team” said Lauren Thomas, NSW Waratahs Events and Operations Manager.
Clay’s work includes assisting the Waratahs Event and Operations Manager and Match Manager, with team movements, match balls, field set up, team run out and half-time activities.
“It certainly wouldn’t be a match day without him there” said Thomas.
The last four decades has seen Clay witness many great moments in rugby history.
“I saw Mark Nawaqanitawase play his first game. I like watching that young kid. I’m showing my age but even with Chris Whitaker, I used to watch him play and run around. There has been a long list of players that I have watched”.
Clay is also a big supporter of grassroots rugby.
“I get to see all these guys improving – I was there when Charlie Gamble was running around with Petersham”.
One match day in particular will remain the highlight, as Clay was there on the field when the NSW Waratahs won the 2014 Super Rugby Grand Final.
“That night was just brilliant. There had been so much build up to it and we were up against our mortal enemy, the Crusaders. We didn’t win till probably the last two minutes of the game so it was very nerve-wracking”.
Michael Clay has been with us through the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Despite it all, he “lives in hope” as he jokingly said and does it for the love of the Rugby.
“Rugby is a real community”.
We could not be more grateful for all that Michael Clay does for us, fourty-two years and counting!
Alongside Mick on match days is George Connaughton, and his son Ollie when possible.
An Orange local, George travels from Orange for every home game to volunteer out of his pure love for the game. Ollie, now based in the Gold Coast also joins in when he isn’t playing rugby himself.
The father and son duo have been a part of the Waratahs match day team for over twelve years, working with Mick Clay and the Match Day team to assist with all operational tasks, most importantly making sure teams run out on time!
When George is not on the field at a Waratahs match he is running his Landscape Design company, is the Logistics Manager for the Wallabies and is also the Team Manager for NSW Country Rugby Union.
“It is such a pleasure having the Connaughton’s as part of our Match Day team, they know what needs to be done and I know that if I get caught up they will keep the operations on the field and change rooms running to plan.” said Thomas.
The matches simply can’t happen without the Match Balls and the Waratahs Ball Person Coordinator. Barry is responsible for ensuring there are ball kids on the sidelines to retrieve the balls as quickly as possible to keep the game in play.
He has been the ball person coordinator for Eastwood Rugby Club, NSW Rugby Union and Australian Rugby Union for more than a decade.
Giving kids that play club rugby the opportunity to take part in the Waratah matches at Allianz Stadium, Barry selects, trains and manages the kids all on a volunteer basis. “Barry plays such an important role on match days and helps myself and the Match Manager ensure that the game can run as smooth as possible.” Said Thomas.
When there is a Waratahs home match, there is a visiting team travelling from either Australia, New Zealand or Fiji and that requires some local knowledge and a “man on the ground”. “We always want to ensure that visiting teams are given the best possible experience from the moment they arrive and Tony Edwards delivers exactly that”.
Volunteering as the NSW Waratahs Visiting Team Liaison,
“Tony is an invaluable part of my team, especially as I can’t be in two places at once! Greeting all visiting teams at the airport, ensuring that their logistics run smoothly and making sure all their requests are dealt with, I know that visiting teams are in great hands when they come to Sydney” said Thomas.
Steve Johnson is instrumental to our match day records, better known as “Stat Man Steve”, as he ensures that all historical match details, Waratahs appearances, points scored and milestones are recorded and tracked for every single NSW Waratahs match.
“Steve is an invaluable asset, his meticulous documentation of the NSW Waratahs Men’s team, Women’s team and matches has provided vital information for our media and communications team. It allows us to create great content with confidence” said Julius Dimataga, the NSW Waratahs Digital Media Manager.
The man is a statistical archivist and provides immense detail in the Waratahs history.
Ensuring that matches are delivered to tournament standards is Mark Philp, the Waratahs Match Manager.
“There is a lot happening on a match day and I get pulled in lots of different directions. Having Mark on the field as our Match Manager allows me to ensure everything else is running to plan knowing with full confidence that the field of play is being run to the highest of standards” said Thomas.
Philp is the Deputy Sportsmaster and Director of Rugby at Sydney Grammar School often arriving at Allianz Stadium after a full day of school or club rugby.
He was previously involved with Rugby Australia as a well-regarded High Performance Coach, training coaches and referees and has helped build some of Australia’s best rugby talent.
He truly does it for the love of Rugby which is evident through his versatile rugby experience and remains an invaluable part of our Match Days.
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We extend our sincere thanks to all our match day volunteers, whose dedication and support have been invaluable in 2023.
Their commitment and efforts have greatly contributed to the smooth running of Waratah match days, and we are truly grateful for their unwavering support.
Together, we strive to create an unforgettable experience for our members and fans, and we couldn't do it without them.
