Phil Waugh appointed as Inaugural Sydney Junior Rugby Union Ambassador
Rugby great Phil Waugh has been appointed as the inaugural Ambassador of Sydney Junior Rugby Union, Australia’s largest union and the governing body for Junior Club Rugby across Sydney. In this newly created role, Phil will bring his strong commitment to Junior Club Rugby and deep sporting community connections to help Sydney Juniors grow the game of rugby union from the grassroots.
Phil achieved the highest levels of professional Rugby with a stellar career capped off leading both the NSW Waratahs and the Australian Wallabies as Captain. He played 124 matches in
Super Rugby for the
NSW Waratahs, and in 79 Test matches for the
Wallabies usually playing at
openside flanker. Phil is currently head coach of the touring Mosman Junior Rugby Club U12s and continues to be involved at all levels of the game.
Ultimately, the success of elite Rugby is underpinned by a thriving grassroots junior rugby community and Phil will play a key role in fostering the growth and development of a vibrant junior club culture in Sydney.
“Rugby Union is a sport I have played and enjoyed since my junior years at Narrabeen, my school years at Shore and through the pathway to the Waratahs and then the Wallabies. Since retiring in 2012, I still have a strong passion for the game and for the future of the sport, beginning at the very grassroots. We have a continued strong junior base with 12,500 juniors registered with the SJRU alone, across the 60 clubs, and despite what may be perceived, junior club rugby in Sydney remains strong. Where I can, I will support the growth of the game, from the important grassroots players to enhance a thriving competition and future for rugby in this state and in this country”.
“Sydney Juniors is focused on growing the game of rugby from the grassroots,” said Katrina Oxenham, newly elected Chair of the Sydney Junior Rugby Union. “We are honoured that Phil has agreed to be the inaugural Sydney Juniors Ambassador. Like so many of the rugby union greats, Phil has continued to contribute behind the scenes in the Junior Rugby community. By accepting this new role, Phil will use his considerable leadership skills to strengthen the connection from the grassroots through to the elite levels of Rugby Union by highlighting the strength and value of our strong junior player base”
