Women's Rugby
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Our story so far
2023
After a couple of seasons heavily disrupted by Covid and wet weather, the early momentum of our women’s programme had stalled with only six ladies returning at the start of 2023.
When Vice Chair Ashley Elek had to resign due to work commitments, things looked grim. Luckily, in stepped Bec Klimeck who went to work promoting the team and pre-season to the community. Posters went up, cards were handed out at every female sporting event in the district, social media went into meltdown. Pauli Sukanavanua was appointed coach, Chris (Axe) Atkins returned, we went to the Sydney 7’s, we went to the races - we were BACK!
Kicking the year off, 15 players made to trek to Kiama 7’s with great optimism for the first hitout of the season. After blowing the cobwebs out in game 1, we were brought crashing back to earth when superstar Lillie Edgar tragically broke her leg seconds into our 2nd game V West Wyalong. The team rallied together in game 3 but rugby was second in everyone’s minds.
Next up was the Subbies 7’s tournament which became a 3 way trial at UNSW. 8 of our ladies played their 1st ever game of rugby, all instant rugby tragics! Hunters Hill dominated the day, while also lending players to the other teams to help make sure the day was a success.
We made the ‘brave’ decision to commit to the new Jack Scott Division 2 -10’s comp, a new format for the team. We played our 1st ever 10’s game in a trial v a strong Sydney Uni squad and everyone was then hooked on the format.
Three more trials followed, unfortunately seeing season ending knee injuries to Ali Quinn & Carrie Edgar. We welcomed Stu Ryan to the coaching team, along with Alex Bellamy who was also was elected Club Captain. Karissa Kuka took over as Women’s Vice Chair.
After a monster preseason, the team was eager to hit the 10s season proper. We started with a convincing win v Petersham, followed by a narrow loss in a cracking game v Two Blues. The team suffered another narrow loss to Eastwood, despite Karen Waqa 2nd half superwoman efforts. It was then time for a bye round where the team frocked up for Ladies Day at Boronia.
The team battled it out against Gordon on Chatswood oval under lights in a thrilling 17-17 draw in which Jennifer Kaikaivonu starred, then travelling to Foreshaw Park for a rugby lesson by the indomitable Burra side, coping our biggest loss but not giving up throughout. After weeks on the road, the team then bounced back at home v Merrylands Boronia. We secured our biggest win of the season thus far, with winger Chelsea Killey scoring 5 tries, a new club record!!
The W10’s competition then reset for the second half of the season, with Two Blues dropping out & UOW & Easts joining. Lenny Rarawa as joined our coaching team.
We played Burra at Boronia in an eleven a side game. Building from our last encounter, the game was much more evenly fought with Bec Klimeck leading from the front to score a double. Next we returned the favour to Gordon, hosting them under lights after our Men’s 1st Grade at Boronia in which Salome Harrison starred in a convincing win and the men’s teams helped the ladies sing the team song loud and proud!
Our next two games we played the new sides UOW & East, who didn’t get the memo about not playing international players in the W10s comp.
For Back to Boronia Day we had enough numbers to play a double header with a 7s game v Blue Mountains (their 1st ever women’s game) prior to our W10’s game V Eastwood. We won both games convincingly with Enji Ragchaabazar & Renee Rarawa scoring tries in their 1st game of Rugby.
We then had a massive win v Merrylands at Wakehurst with 10 of our ladies scoring a try on the day! This setup a must win game v Petersham at Camperdown in which Karen & Jennifer dominated to secure a 1 v 4 semi-final game v Burra.
In a semi-final performance full of heart against the competition’s most dominant team, we fought hard but ultimately Burra proved too strong. An incredible runaway try from Jennifer was a highlight. The learnings for the team from the game will now serve as the foundation for growing and developing the women’s squad in 2024.
Off-field, the team bonded at Super W games, dinners at the Bayview and on the sidelines watching the Hunters Hill Men’s teams.
At the Sydney Women’s Rugby 2023 awards night, Hunters Hill Women’s Rugby was awarded the Spirit of Rugby award. A peer-voted award, it was an honour to have the culture the team had built over the year recognised by the other teams. We capped the year off with the Hunters Hill Rugby awards dinner at Woolwich Pier where the team glammed it up to celebrate the year that was.
2023 Women’s Award Winners:
Best and Fairest Jennifer Kaikaivonu
Players Player Alex Bellamy
Most Improved Maddie Hughes
Spirit of Rugby Sokoveti Nayacakalou
Top Try Scorer Chelsea Killey
Club Woman of the Year Ali Quinn
Women’s Club Captain Alex Bellamy
Most Tries in a Game Chelsea Killey (5)
2022
Season 2022 kicked off with Subbies 7s returning to Boronia Park, where the women’s team saw six debutants take the field. Following three wins, the group fell just short in the final, unable to take out the tournament in its second year but showing promising signs for the season ahead.
Unfortunately, the regular season was interrupted by rain, with tournaments and training cancelled. While it was difficult to build momentum, the team showed resolve on and off the field – ripping in during the tournaments that did go ahead and making an effort with one another outside of rugby.
Paul Shields finished up as team manager after years of tireless service to the team, as did Rob Drinkwater. Alexander Bellato came onboard as team manager, while Chris Orpen and Chris ‘Axe’ Atkins joined forces as coach.
Award winners were announced at the club-wide season presentation night at North Ryde RSL.
Player’s Player: Kate Mateffy
Best & Fairest: Carrie Edgar
Most Improved: Rachel Baird
Clubwoman of the Year: Becky Klimeck
2021
The women’s team started 2021 with a bang, taking out the inaugural Subbies 7s tournament at Boronia Park, defeating UNSW, Lindfield, Newport and then Briars in the final. The year was shaping up to be a big one with several new players joining the group, before COVID-19 reared its ugly head for a second year. While the season was cut short, there were a number of highlights.
The team welcomed a new committee – Nicole Safi, Kate Young, Laura O’Brien, Jess Cavalletto, Carrie Edgar and Sophie Barbaro, farewelling long serving members Lauren Salmon (vice-chair), Bella Hogan (club captain) and Olivia Hogan.
Chris Orpen joined Chris ‘Axe’ Atkins and Rob Drinkwater in the coaches box. Paul Shields returned as team manager.
Paint & Sip and Zoom trivia made up for the lack of rugby, keeping the team connected during Sydney’s lockdown period. When lockdown was over, the group enjoyed team dinners at Sporties and gym sessions at Vale Tudo – two of the team’s valued sponsors.
Award winners were announced at the club-wide season presentation day at Sporties.
Player’s Player: Nikki Drinkwater
Best & Fairest: Kate Young
Most Improved: Caitlin Fitzpatrick
Clubwoman of the Year: Kate Young
2020
Hunters Hill Women’s Rugby team welcomed a number of new female players from the Royal Australian Navy in 2020, as well an additional coach, Rob Drinkwater, who joined returning coach Chris ‘Axe’ Atkins and team manager, Paul Shields. The team also welcomed former English International, Nikki Drinkwater, who brought years of experience to the group.
Despite the season being interrupted by COVID-19, the team maintained a large women’s playing group and was competitive throughout the Sydney Women’s Rugby 7s competition. The team finished equal third in Sydney 7s Division 2.
Award winners were announced at Boronia Park and later celebrated at Sporties Gladesville.
Player’s Player: Courtney Frankl
Best & Fairest: Nikki Drinkwater
Most Improved: Nicole Safi
Clubwoman of the Year: Bella Hogan
2019
2019 was a breakout year for women’s rugby at Hunters Hill. After only five rounds of the Sydney Women’s Rugby 7s competition, Hunters Hill secured an unbeatable lead to go on and win the Div 2 competition. Kate Young and Carrie Edgar were rewarded at the club’s annual awards by being named the team’s joint Player’s Player, while Laura O’Brien was voted Best & Fairest for the second straight year. Bella Hogan won the inaugural the Clubwoman of the Year award.
2018
2018 began with a lot of changes to Women's Rugby in NSW, including a new competition format allowing teams to play both 15's and 7's, and a more formalised tournament schedule. HHRUFC recognised the need for greater organisation and support of Women's Rugby from the club appointing Lauren Salmon as the first Vice Chair - Women's Rugby on the Senior's Sub-Committee. For the first time HHRUFC hosted both the Men's Competition and Round 4 of the Women's 7's on the 30th of June, resulting in 28 teams playing across 43 games (that's over 14 hours of Rugby).
2017
Hunters Hill Women's Rugby Club first started playing ad hoc games in 2017 - during the clubs 125th anniversary year. With backing from both the Men's and Junior's Clubs, notables such as Rod Salmon & Russell Kershler both coaching & a lot of behind the scenes work from Paul Shields, as well as Lauren Salmon's continued drive and recruitment efforts, the team was always going to go places. The club hit the ground running hosting both the final round of the Sydney Women's 7's and the Sydney Women's XV Grand Final at Boronia Park.
