Warwick Water Rats reunion round brings three generations of players, supporters together

Marking the anniversary of one of the Warwick club’s biggest premiership wins, dozens of past and present members will celebrate decades of history and mateship at the special reunion event.

Three generations of Warwick’s rugby union community will be brought together for the first time in years at the Water Rats reunion round this weekend.
Players, volunteers, and supporters from when the club was started in the 1960s to the current era will team up at Risdon Oval for an afternoon of footy and reminiscing on days gone by.

After decades of involvement with the Water Rats and much of it as a volunteer groundsman, Guy Sugden said the Old Boys reunion was sure to bring up good memories.

“I’ve always been involved with the club when I come back to Warwick. It’s the friendship with the players, the old members of the club, and it’s just a good social outing,” he said.

“It’s good to see a lot of different players from all age groups ... there’s still a lot of older players left in Warwick from the ‘70s, who played in the first Gold Cup back in ‘64.

“I’ve actually been to three grand final wins, which was great. The away trips and bus trips are always good ... it’s more after the game than during the game, even though it’s good to have a win.

“They’re just a great bunch of blokes, no matter what age group they’re in.”

Long-term Warwick Water Rats volunteer Guy Sugden said he was excited to see several generations of his beloved club come together. Picture: Warwick Daily News

The reunion round was first organised last year to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the club’s 2000 A-grade premiership win, but it was ultimately postponed due to COVID.

Even with ongoing travel restrictions still preventing former members from making the trip to Warwick from NSW and even overseas, club secretary Tess Enchelmaier said players new and old were looking forward to the get-together.

“They have a Facebook group where they’ve been putting in old memories, swapping photos and reliving the glory days a bit, which I think they’re loving,” she said.

“It’s nice seeing all those photos and stuff from so long ago, especially for someone like me when I’ve only been around to see this new-generation club, so it’s quite nice to see how proud everybody is of it.

“We’ve already had some of the old boys come down and help tidy up the club and things like that. They want to give back to the club they love and enjoyed playing for, which is really heartwarming to see.”

While attendees won’t see any old boys take the field, footy fans will be treated to two massive Downs Rugby clashes.

It will kick off on Saturday at 1.30pm when the Water Rats men’s side takes on the Toowoomba Bears in the B-grade game, followed by an A-grade clash between the Bears and Gatton.

The Water Rats are also hosting an informal meet and greet from 5pm Friday in the lead-up to the reunion.