A Magpie Christmas Present

Western Suburbs brought a little bit of Christmas cheer to the Bessenyei household with the delivery of a special framed jersey.

Earlier this year, Ellee-Rose Bessenyei was treated to an all access day at the footy courtesy of Western Suburbs, Wests Tigers and Epilepsy Action Australia, when she got to go behind the scenes and meet Morris the Magpie, Timmy the Tiger and her heroes who wear black and white (and gold).

Our media man Keith Topolski dropped by to visit Ellee-Rose and her family and presented them with the jersey Rusty Bristow wore in the 28 June match against Guildford, where Ellee-Rose kicked off.

Wests are continuing to work with Epilepsy Action Australia in efforts to offer other children affected by epilepsy opportunities to be involved in the greatest game of all.

We hope Ellee-Rose loves the jersey as much as her dad and grandad do!

Merry Christmas!

On behalf of the Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club, we would like to wish all our valued members a happy and safe holiday season.

Our Junior Representative and Senior Squads have been working hard since the start of November 2014, and are looking forward to a successful upcoming season.

It's an exciting time for the Western Suburbs Magpies as we continue to grow our club and continue to build for our future.

We look forward to keeping you updated on all future developments in 2015.

Best wishes.

The Team at the Western Suburbs Magpies

New Signings for 2015

Western Suburbs is pleased to announce that the ranks have now swelled to 16 players under contract for the 2015 Ron Massey Cup season.

Head coach Nathan Waters confirmed that the ten newest additions to the roster will include Sama Sauvao and Chad McGill.

Sauvao played a leading role in East Campbelltown’s charge to the Sydney Shield title last season and will make an impact as a strong prospect in the backline.

McGill, a Fairfield Patrician Brothers Junior who captained the Australian Schoolboys side of 2012, will join the Magpies after a stint with the Cronulla Sharks NYC team.

Wests welcome Sama and Chad aboard and look forward to a bumper 2015 season.

Major Sponsor Announcement: Allied Express

It is with great excitement that we can announce that the Western Suburbs Magpies major sponsor for 2015 is Allied Express. Having sponsored the Wests Tigers since 2005, they have now jumped on board with the Magpies to ensure the talent from the local Liverpool and Macarthur areas continue on their Pathway to Success.

Allied Express is the largest, independently owned courier and express freight company in Australia with offices in all major mainland capitals. Our fleet of over 1000 vehicles covers the entire country with a comprehensive range of fast, efficient express freight transport services ranging from the inner city bicycles to line-haul vehicles.

In fact, as long as there's a road to it, there isn't a place in this country to which we can't deliver, or from where we can't pick-up. But, like many successful express freight companies, it's what we do beyond thecourier service we advertise that sets us apart and defines us.

More than the obvious ability to move freight from one point to another, you need a courier transport partner that operates in step with your industry and can respond to its changing needs. One that mirrors your service ethic, your delivery regime and your sense of commitment to your clients. In practical terms, a courier company that thinks the way you do.

Allied operates as just such a partner. Whichever of Allied's courier or express freight services you employ our attitude remains unchanged your customers become our customers; your commitment becomes our commitment and your reputation as a consistently reliable supplier rides safely with us.

www.alliedexpress.com.au

Phone: 13 13 73

2015 HM and SGBall Draws Released

The New South Wales Rugby League has released the 2015 draws for blue-ribbon representative competitions, SG Ball (under-18s) and Harold Matthews (under-16s).

The competitions are pivotal pathways for rugby league both at the elite and grassroots levels.

Last season the Sydney Roosters finished the year as SG Ball champions while in Harold Matthews Newcastle were crowned the league's best. Both sides will be hard to beat in 2015.

Coach of the NSW VB Blues Laurie Daley vividly remembers playing in similar under-age competitions in his youth, an experience he regards as critical to development of football careers and of individuals.

“I clearly recall playing Jersey Flegg for the Raiders in 1987, a grade which was then the under-19s competition,” Daley said.

“I remember the long drives from Sydney via Goulburn, the rise in the standard of play and the great mateship we all developed.

“Under-age competitions like SG Ball and Harold Matthews are of incredible importance to rugby league. I know plenty of my Origin side graduated from the competitions – and the future of the Blues will be playing in 2015's tournaments too.

“The boys will have a lot of fun, learn a lot about themselves as players and as people and they’ll graduate from these under-age competitions with memories that’ll last a lifetime. The games will make great spectacles for the fans and players' families too.”

Click here to view the 2015 SG Ball draw.

Click here to view the 2015 Harold Matthews draw.

Magpie Christmas Wishes

On behalf of the Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club, we would like to wish all our valued members a happy and safe holiday season.

Our Junior Representative and Senior Squads have been working hard since the start of November 2014, and are looking forward to a successful upcoming season.

It's an exciting time for the Western Suburbs Magpies as we continue to grow our club and continue to build for our future.   

We look forward to keeping you updated on all future developments in 2015.

Best wishes

 

The Team at the Western Suburbs Magpies

Tedesco's Big 3 Games of 2015

Wests junior James Tedesco discusses the three games he is really looking forward to playing in 2015.


Game #1 — R2, St. George-Illawarra Dragons, Campbelltown Sports Stadium
"It's a big game for us to start the year, so hopefully we can get a lot of fans out there. I didn't get to play a lot of games at Campbelltown so I'm looking forward to it personally."

Game #2 — R5, Parramatta Eels, ANZ Stadium
"That's the Easter weekend. We saw last year that [in that game] we had a big game of around 50,000... so hopefully we can get a similar crowd out there. I didn't get to play that game in 2014, so hopefully I'll be there and playing in front of a packed house."

Game #3 — R11, North Queensland Cowboys, Campbelltown Sports Stadium
"It's the 10-year anniversary for the 2005 Grand Final, which is exciting. Obviously we all remember Pat Richards scoring that try so hopefully we'll see a bit of that at this game. It's at Campbelltown, so hopefully we can get a big crowd building from the first game."

 http://www.weststigers.com.au/news/2014/12/15/my_top_three_james_t.html

Saints march to Campbelltown

It's been 13 years since Wests Tigers took on the St. George-Illawarra Dragons at Campbelltown Sports Stadium (July 28, 2002). They'll head there in Round 2 for the Club's first home game of 2015, on Monday, March 16 at 7:00pm. The Dragons have won both matches they've played in their history at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Wests Tigers with the support of a vocal Campbelltown crowd hope to turn that around.

Round 2 - Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons - Monday 16th March 2014 - Campbelltown Stadium

DVD: NRL Essentials: Western Suburbs Magpies

Step back into the annals of Rugby League history and experience some of the greatest ever games from the Western Suburbs Magpies. A foundation club, the Magpies claimed four premierships and five minor premierships, entering a “Golden Age” in the 60’s. Sit back and enjoy five classic Wests games from the Rugby League archives, each presented in their entire original broadcast format – a must-have for the true Wests fan.

1991, ROUND 7 | WESTS 17 – 16 BRONCOS
Trying to break their duck against the Broncos it was a kicking master-class from Jason Taylor that proved the difference, kicking four from four including a magnificent strike from the sideline in windy conditions the game went down to the wire until Taylor stepped up to the plate again icing the game with a field goal.

1991, PLAYOFF | WESTS 19 – 14 BULLDOGS
In a playoff for 5th place the Magpies met their Western Sydney rivals in a battle for the west and the right to play Finals Footy. It was a devastating left-foot step from Gillespie and an almost flawless kicking performance from Jason Taylor that put the Bulldogs to the sword.

1995, ROUND 5 | WESTS 44 – 16 ROOSTERS
Traveling to Darwin it was going to be a question of who could handle the conditions better. Seeking to stake their claim on the top eight, Wests put the Roosters to the sword piling on 44 points, a record against their Sydney rivals.

1996, ROUND 20 | WESTS 23 – 22 BEARS
In a tight and physical game befitting two clubs with so much history it was a long distance field goal from Andrew Willis that proved the difference, securing a dramatic and famous victory for the Wests Club.1999, ROUND 14 | WESTS 18 – 12 TIGERS
In what could be considered the most significant moment in the Magpies history, after almost 91 years in the competition pride was on the line when the storied Wests club met their eventual joint venture partner the Balmain Tigers in this classic game.

Available at all good DVD retailers!

SMALL Amount Of Extra Merchandise Available

After a final cleanout, we have found a small number of extra merchandise items for sale!

Western Suburbs Magpies Light Blue T-Shirts

Wests Tigers Logo on back,

Only $12.00

2 left – One Small & One Medium

Western Suburbs Magpies Black T-Shirt

Only $12.00

1 left – Size Medium

Western Suburbs Magpies Dark Grey T-Shirt

Only $12.00

1 left – Size Medium

Western Suburbs Magpies Track Pants

Only $20.00

2 left –  1 x Small & 1 x Medium

Please e-mail admin@westsmagpies.com.au with what item you require and the size with your credit card details and we will organize for the merchandise to be mailed out or delivered.

Wests Tigers welcome 5,000th Member

Wests Tigers are pleased to announce that the Club has passed 5,000 Members for the 2015 NRL season. The Club has had a positive response from fans since 2015 Memberships went on sale at the end of October, with 5,004 Members signing up as of today.

Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer thanked the 5,004 Members who have already committed to the Club for the coming season for their support.

“On behalf of the players and staff at Wests Tigers I’d like to thank those Members who have already joined us for season 2015,” said Mayer. “There’s a great vibe amongst the playing group at the moment and it’s impressive to see that so many in our supporter base are already behind the team as they prepare for a big year ahead.

“We’re well ahead of where we were at this time last year and the Club looks forward to continuing to push forward as we close in on the coming season,” he said. “The Club has set itself the target of breaking the 10,000 Member mark and we’re working hard to ensure that we achieve that and make every Member feel as if they are a part of the team.

“The recognition of our existing Members is very important and for the first time in 2015 we’re putting into place a Member Recognition Program for those who have committed to the Club for one, three and more than seven years,” he said.

Wests Tigers are currently running a promotion for renewing and new Members, with two great prizes on offer.

Those who renew their Membership before December 19, 2014, will go into the draw to win the ultimate Auckland Nines trip for two, while new Members who sign up by the same date could win a catered box for eight at Wests Tigers’ first ANZ Stadium home game in 2015.

The Club has also made a number of changes to the 2015 Membership packages, including introducing a new top tier category, Elite Membership, and bringing back the popular Out of Town Membership.

For more information on Wests Tigers Membership call (02) 8741 3300 during business hours or visit www.weststigersmembership.com.au.

Ground Managers Wanted

The NSWRL are looking for Ground Managers to look after all aspects of matches controlled at all venues for the following competition matches in 2015.

1. VB NSW Cup

2. Ron Massey Cup

3. Sydney Shield

4. SG Ball

5. Harold Matthews




All matches are played on either Saturdays or Sundays during the season with the SG Ball and Harold Matthews competition commencing on Saturday 14th February 2015

All appointed Ground Managers will be provided with clothing items and will also be remunerated by the NSWRL for their services

If you wish to apply please provide the details below and send a brief resume to the Competitions Coordinator at NSWRL Locked Bag 5000 Paddington 2021 or email to scarr@nswrl.com.au

A Ground Managers meeting will be held on Wednesday 21st January 2015 at RLC Moore Park.

Please provide the following information -
Name
Address
Contact Number
Email
If you have been a Ground Manager for any previous NSWRL competition
Availability (Sat,Sun)

A Year Off For Some Of Our Great Magpies Of 2014

While we continue our march towards an enormous 2015 season with teams in four of the five NSWRL run competitions, we also bid farewell to a handful of players who will use 2015 as a year to recuperate, reacquaint with family and focus on their non football employment.

On behalf of the entire Magpie family, we thank Mason Talolua, Jerome Mose, Jarrad Szcudlo and Shawn Craig for their efforts in 2014 and we wish them well in their sabbatical season and (hopefully!!!) look forward to having the quadrella back on deck for season 2016!

First Signings for 2015 Ron Massey Cup

Western Suburbs is pleased to announce the first six signings for our 2015 Ron Massey Cup campaign.

In a mix of retaining current talent, bringing young blood through and returning to the glory days, new coach Nathan Waters has looked to start building a team around what is now known as the spine of a team.

As previously announced, former Wests Tiger and North Queensland Cowboy Shannon Gallant will be returning in 2015. Gallant is most comfortable at fullback but can also play wing and centre.

Continuing with building the spine, the halfback for Western Suburbs in 2015 will be Wayde Dunley, who is coming off a premiership year with East Campbelltown in the Sydney Shield. Dunley has previously played NSW Cup for Western Suburbs and will provide strong guidance around the paddock.

In a nod to youth, Peter Nay will come on board s a hooker, halfback and five-eighth. Nay played the 2014 season with Wests Tigers in the Holden Cup and is a Glenmore Park junior.

Campbelltown City Kangaroos junior Luke Williams will be returning to the Magpies on a regular basis in 2015. Williams played for the Wests Tigers NSW Cup side in 2014 while also making several appearances for the Magpies. Williams can play second row, lock or centre.

Finally, we have two returning Magpies for the 2015 season in Tom Morrison and Ronnie Palumbo. Tom has recovered well from a horror injury in 2013 and began to hit his straps late in the 2014 season. Tom can play second row or lock and is working hard at improving his speed. Ronnie is the Magpies' Mr fix it, and is comfortable at hooker, second row, lock, five-eighth or centre.

These six signings provide a strong base from which to launch a promising 2015 campaign and we look forward to announcing more signings in the coming weeks as pre-season training hots up!