Geelong Rams Rugby Union

10/10/2026

FINALS DAY for the Australian Rugby Shield (Geelong) 🤝

Come down to Hendy Street Reserve!

07/10/2026

07/10/2026

🏉 AUSTRALIAN RUGBY SHIELD COMES TO GEELONG! 🏉

This week, some of the best representative rugby talent from across Australia descends on Geelong Rugby Club for the Australian Rugby Shield.

The ARS is Rugby Australia’s premier competition for regional and emerging rugby unions, bringing together players representing their state, region and community with pride. It's fast, physical, passionate rugby and it's happening right here at the Rams' home ground.

With Victoria taking on teams from South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Defence Force, this is a fantastic opportunity for our rugby community to experience representative rugby at its best.

🔥 Let's pack the sidelines. 🔥 Wear your Rams colours. 🔥 Bring your family, teammates and friends. 🔥 Show visitors from around Australia what Geelong rugby is all about.

Whether you're a current player, past player, junior family, sponsor or supporter, we'd love to see the entire Rams community down supporting the athletes and helping create a fantastic atmosphere.

📍 Geelong Rugby Club
📅 8-11 October
🏉 Australian Rugby Shield

Let's get behind Victorian rugby and show Australia that Geelong is a rugby city!

Thank you again to the City of Greater Geelong and our volunteers behind the scenes to make this event possible.

17/09/2026

🏉 From the Geelong Rams to the Netherlands! 🇳🇱

We'd like to congratulate Brodie Haugh on his exciting opportunity with Castricumse Rugby Club in the Netherlands.

Brodie spent a significant part of his rugby journey with the Geelong Rams, developing his game, building lifelong friendships, and representing our club with pride. Seeing one of our own take the next step and continue their rugby career on the other side of the world is something our entire club can celebrate.

Brodie's journey is also a reminder to every young player pulling on a Rams jersey that there are incredible opportunities available through rugby. While Melbourne may not have a professional rugby team, the pathway doesn't stop here. Rugby is a global game, with opportunities to play, travel, study and work all around the world.

Many of our current and former players have gone on to play overseas, and Brodie is another fantastic example of what can happen when talent is matched with hard work, passion and commitment.

To all our junior players: keep turning up to training, keep working hard, and keep enjoying the game. You never know where rugby might take you. The friendships you build, the lessons you learn, and the opportunities that come your way can reach far beyond Victoria and far beyond Australia.

Congratulations, Brodie. We are incredibly proud of your achievements and can't wait to follow your journey in the Netherlands. Once a Ram, always a Ram.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19SHxPDSZt/

16/09/2026

🏉 Celebrating Our Coaches & Coach of the Year 2026 🏉

At the heart of every rugby club are the coaches who give their time, energy and passion to help others grow. Being a rugby coach is about far more than drills, game plans and results on the scoreboard. It is about building confidence, teaching resilience, creating opportunities, and helping players develop both on and off the field.

Our coaches are mentors, role models and leaders. They are the first to arrive and often the last to leave. They volunteer countless hours preparing trainings, supporting players through challenges, celebrating successes and helping create the sense of community that makes our club so special.

To all of our coaches, Conrad Scheepers from Pathways, Rowan for Under 9's, Andy McKechnie for Under 11's, Luke Hooper for Under 14's, Vaimauli Tavita for Under 18's and Conrad Meredith for Seniors, thank you. Thank you to all our Assistant Coaches as well for the support you give.

Thank you for your dedication, your patience, your passion for rugby, and your commitment to our players and families throughout the season. We thank you and your family by giving up some 200+ hours of your own personal time for our club and our players. Our club would not be what it is without you.

🏆 Brian Batchelar Coach of the Year 2026 - Vai Tavita 🏆

It is our pleasure to recognise a coach who has made an outstanding contribution to our club in a remarkably short period of time.

Since joining the club, Vai Tavita has made an immediate and lasting impact, both on and off the field. Not only did he bring new players into our rugby community, but he also built a team culture founded on respect, humility, inclusion and pride.

Vai consistently encourages players to support one another, respect their opponents and represent the club in the right way. His leadership has helped create an environment where players can develop not only as rugby players, but as people.

One of Vai's most impressive initiatives was organising post-match meals after every home game. What started as a simple idea quickly became a powerful way to strengthen team connection, belonging and culture. The initiative was so highly regarded that it drew praise from other clubs, with many wishing they could provide the same experience for their own players. Even more importantly, Vai and his team manager personally contributed towards the cost, demonstrating their genuine commitment to the wellbeing of their players.

Beyond his coaching contributions, Vai and his family have become valued members of our club community, bringing positivity, generosity and a strong sense of belonging wherever they are involved.

For his commitment to player development, outstanding leadership, and the positive culture he has helped create, we are proud to announce Vai Tavita as the Brian Batchelar Coach of the Year 2026.

Congratulations Vai, and thank you for everything you have contributed to our club.

14/09/2026

Hi all,

Rugby Victoria is now calling for Expressions of Interest for the 2026 Victorian Junior Regional Championships (VJRC) for U12 and U14 players and coaches.

We’re asking all clubs and schools to help spread the word and encourage eligible players, coaches and staff to get involved.

I have attached some details around when the sessions will be held. More to be released soon.

Player EOI – U12 & U14
The VJRC provides young players with the opportunity to:

Represent their regions and Rugby Victoria
Play alongside some of the best junior players from across Victoria
Develop their skills in a representative environment
Experience higher-level coaching and competition
Build connections with players and coaches from across the state
We want to make sure we reach as many eligible players as possible, so please share the EOI with your junior players and families.

Player EOI: 2026 VJRC U12 & U14 Players
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=F-huibWcBEaX8kACzI-pnHRygHO8tJ1PkEZbH_YyDRtUNVROSE1INjlZTkFCTjY4M0ZBUlE0R0gxUS4u&route=shorturl

Coach EOI – U12 & U14
We are also looking for coaches to be involved across the U12 and U14 programs.

If you have coaches within your club or school who are interested in developing their coaching, working within a representative environment and contributing to the next generation of Victorian rugby players, please encourage them to submit an EOI.

Coach EOI: VJRC Development Program - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=F-huibWcBEaX8kACzI-pnHRygHO8tJ1PkEZbH_YyDRtUQUo1UlVTUTdDRzZOOVYzVkpaMU5FU0g4Ty4u&route=shorturl

We would appreciate clubs and schools sharing this through your normal communication channels, including team chats, newsletters, social media and directly with players, parents and coaches.

The more players and coaches we can get involved, the stronger we can make the 2026 VJRC program.

If you have any questions or would like further information to assist with promoting the program, please get in touch.

Thanks,

14/09/2026

🏆 Rugby Victoria Junior Volunteer of the Year 2026 🏆

A huge congratulations to Whetu Manukau on being named Rugby Victoria's Junior Volunteer of the Year at the 2026 Rugby Victoria Awards Night! 👏

Anyone who knows Whetu knows that this recognition could not be more deserved. Whetu is the person who is always there, often before anyone else arrives and long after everyone has gone home. From marking fields before dawn, setting up grounds, roping off spectator areas, firing up the BBQ, collecting rubbish, packing everything away, and making countless trips to the tip, Whetu simply gets the job done.

What makes Whetu truly special is that none of it is done for recognition. In fact, anyone who knows him knows he would much rather avoid the spotlight altogether! He volunteers because he genuinely cares about the club, its people, and creating the best possible environment for everyone involved.

Beyond the countless hours of hard work, Whetu is a fantastic ambassador for our club. Whether it's welcoming visitors, chatting with parents on the sidelines, or lending a hand wherever it's needed, he helps create the community spirit that makes our club so special.

This award recognises the dedication, selflessness, and commitment of volunteers who go above and beyond for grassroots rugby, and Whetu embodies those values every single week.

Congratulations, Whetu, on this outstanding and well-earned achievement. We are incredibly proud to have you as part of our club

14/09/2026

🏆 2026 Best & Fairest Winners 🏆

Being named Best & Fairest is one of the highest individual honours in rugby. It is about far more than scoring tries or making big plays. It recognises the player who consistently demonstrates skill, commitment, sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and a positive attitude throughout the season.

A Best & Fairest winner leads by example, puts their team first, competes hard, and upholds the values of the game every time they pull on the jersey.

Congratulations to our 2026 Best & Fairest recipients:

⭐ Rocky – Under 11s
⭐ Don – Under 14s
⭐ Jeff – Under 18s
⭐ Kyro Tavita – Seniors

These players have earned the respect of their teammates, coaches, and supporters through their dedication, effort, and conduct both on and off the field. We are incredibly proud of what each of them has achieved this season.

Well done to all four winners on a fantastic year and a well-deserved recognition of your commitment to the game and our club.

13/09/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our 2026 Clubperson Award Winners! 🎉

A huge congratulations to Whetu Manukau, this year's Dick Wilkie Clubperson of the Year. Whetu is the very definition of selfless service, the person who quietly gets things done without ever seeking recognition. From marking fields before dawn, setting up and packing down grounds, running the BBQ, collecting rubbish, and countless jobs in between, Whetu is always there, often already tackling a task before anyone else has even noticed it needs doing. Beyond the hard work, Whetu is a fantastic ambassador for our club, helping create the welcoming community spirit we are so proud of. This award couldn't go to a more deserving recipient. 👏🏆

Congratulations also to Tarquin vT, our Junior Clubperson of the Year. Tarquin has shown outstanding commitment to the club both on and off the field. Whether helping in the canteen, setting up early in the morning, cleaning the clubhouse, supporting senior games, or encouraging teammates from the sidelines while recovering from injury, Tarquin has consistently gone above and beyond. His enthusiasm, teamwork, and willingness to help wherever needed embody everything this award stands for. 👏⭐

Thank you both for the incredible contribution you make to our club.

30/08/2026

A huge thank you to all our junior and senior players and their families for making our 2026 Annual Awards Evening such a special and memorable occasion. It was fantastic to come together and celebrate another great year for our club.

Congratulations to all of our award winners! We’ll be announcing each of the winners in a separate post later this week, along with sharing some of the wonderful photos from the night.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success. And another big thank you to Luke Eaton for your outstanding MC performance on the night.