Celebrating Woods Women

We are sharing this memory of the first Woods Women in honour Women and Girls in Rugby week, thanks to Lyn West

With the looming departure of the hallowed ground that is TG  Millner, I am sure there are many of us that share amazing memories and friendships, either as a player or a supporter of the wonderful "Woodies." I would like to share one of my cherished memories. 

In 1968, the Secretary of the club, Merve Neil, passed away suddenly in his early thirties leaving a wife and two very young children. The club launched an appeal to raise funds to assist the young family. A Barbarians game was organised and many international players were invited to participate. The game refereed by Dr Roger Vanderfield the most prominent ref at the time. 

The curtain raiser was Eastwood Ladies verses Gordon Ladies. Quite the drawcard back then. My father having no sons thought this was wonderful, me playing for the Woodies. My mother who loved her Rugby too, strangely enough thought I was a disgrace to the family name !! I was sixteen years old and the youngest member of the team. So the first ever Eastwood Ladies Rugby Team was formed.

We trained very hard for our big day under the tutelage of Bryan Palmer the First Grade coach and  coach of the Wallabies. There was a lot at stake, we were playing Gordon, there in lay a major motivation !! We were victorious 6 - 0 in a packed out TG Millner.

After the game my dad was speaking to Dr Vanderfield and he said he could not understand why the crowd were so engrossed and talking about our game when all these wonderful talented players were there as the main attraction and played so well. Our game was also on the ABC news that night and also the sport section of the Sunday paper.

My Dad Fred Johnson, was the person who put forward the motion to merge Epping and Eastwood rugby clubs as documented in Those Magnificent Men. A fact I did not know until I read the book. He  played for the club in the mid to late 1950's before we left for four years living in England. He was First Grade manager for several years, was a linesman for fourth grade and on several committees at various times. Dad would have turned 100 this year.

I am now in my seventies and have been a lifelong supporter of this club. My son and grandson have picked up the mantle and are proud of their grandfather and great grandfather's contribution and connection to the great club that Is Eastwood District.

Do you know a women who’s keen to play for the Woods? We would love to hear from them - admin@woods.rugby