CLUB HISTORY
Published JULY 19, 2018·
Lennox Head Rugby Union Club ('The Trojans') was formed in 1999 after a chat at the local nursery where foundation President Rik Buhl, inaugural captain and coach Mick Sheather and club stalwart Rhona Fraser met one day. In the club's inaugural year, the Third Grade side won the minor premiership and in the grand final became FNC major premiers - a stunning achievement. The second season saw more success with the team finishing runners up in a heart rending, hard fought grand final against Mullumbimby.
2001 saw the addition of junior rugby with U13s and U11s teams under the expert and experienced eyes of Graeme Barnes and Tony Bindon 13’s, Robby Clarke and John Bungate 11’s. In 2002 a third age group was added, being under 15’s coached by Barry Kiddle and John Bungate. For the 2004 and 2005 seasons our grade side moved to the Village Competition - open only to clubs who had only a single senior side. The Trojans won the first Village Comp Grand Final. 2005 also saw Lennox form an Under 19 side for the first time, also coached by Barry Kiddle and John Bungate. This was a big step up and in the first 2 years in this grade the club won only one game (and this by a single point and still being coached by their under 19’s coaches).
2008 saw the arrival of key players and new coaching techniques under Scott Wisemantel, Lennox Head resident and former Skills Coach to the Wallabies under Eddie Jones and Waratahs under Chris Hickey. The Trojans quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with and in 2008, as the clear underdog, having just scraped into the semi-finals in 4th spot, won our first 1st Grade Premiership beating Tweed Heads 23 - 15. (Coach Brad Stamp)
Success followed with the club taking out Premierships in 2009, 2010 (double with 2nd Grade), 2011, 2012 (Coach Paul Jeffreys) and 2020 (Coaches Rob Fish and Jamie Treddinick) In 2021 both 1st & 2nd Minor Premiers, however the Grand Finals were cancelled COVID19 (Coaches Steve Condon and Mick Sheather.) During this time we developed both on and off the field. With Scott Wisemantel’s connections, a number of Wallabies and Waratahs, namely George Gregan, George Smith, Berrick Barnes (now a Lennox Head resident), Tatafu Polota-Nau, Lachlan Turner, and others have given coaching sessions to our teams (senior and junior). Some have also been guest speakers at Lennox Rugby Functions. This gave the Trojans huge media coverage and interest in Lennox Rugby soared. Our junior base has now expanded to around 300 players, the largest in the Far North Coast Rugby zone! Through Rugby we promote and encourage an inclusive environment where values supporting fitness, teamwork, community engagement, volunteerism, comradery and fun are taught and promoted. In addition to our community focus and desire for all to participate in rugby we also offer a pathway to elite sporting success with junior players from our club representing at NSW Country, NSW and Australia U20’s levels and going on the both the Shute Shield with Sam Croke - Randwick, Lachie Creagh and Connor Wi******er - Northern Suburbs, Dan Boardman - Bond Uni in the Brisbane Prems.
