Our annual Newington Rugby Season Launch Luncheon is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Newington Rugby and wish our 2025 GPS Squad a successful season ahead. An afternoon of celebrating Rugby and bringing our Rugby community together.

It is also our signature fundraising event with all funds raised by the Newington Rugby Association used to support the Newington Rugby Program.

The 2025 Season Launch will feature Special Guest Joe Schmidt - Australian Wallabies Head Coach.

Schmidt's coaching journey began as an assistant coach at Bay of Plenty Rugby Union in 2003. He then served as an assistant coach for the Blues in Super Rugby from 2004 to 2007. In 2007, he moved to France to join Clermont Auvergne as an assistant coach, helping the team secure their first Top 14 title in 2010.

In 2010, Schmidt became the head coach of Leinster Rugby, leading the team to unprecedented success, including six finals and four trophies in three years. He then took over as head coach of the Ireland national team from 2013 to 2019, winning three Six Nations Championships and achieving a Grand Slam in 2018. Under his leadership, Ireland reached the number 1 spot in the World Rugby Rankings for the first time in their history and recorded their first-ever wins over New Zealand.

In 2024, Schmidt took on the role of head coach for the Australian Wallabies. His tenure has been marked by significant improvements in the team's performance and a renewed sense of pride in the Wallabies jersey. He will lead the Wallabies in the highly anticipated British and Irish Lions tour.

WHEN: Friday 9 May 2025

WHERE: Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf

DRESS: Smart Casual or Business Attire

CONTACT: president@ncra.org.au

TICKETS: $195 per ticket or $1,900 per table of 10 (Price includes food and beverages - beer, wine and non-alcoholic).

The Rugby Association aims to promote a vibrant, inclusive Newington Rugby Community that celebrates and supports the growth of rugby participation for all boys, of all ages and grades, across all three Newington College Campuses.

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