Shute Shield: Randwick’s Ryan Powter makes long awaited debut after support from late Jeff Sayle
UPDATE: Ryan Powter made his long-awaited Shute Shield debut for Randwick rugby in round one. But his second game for the club didn’t have such a happy ending.
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As a rugby-loving 11-year-old kid Ryan Powter always knew what he wanted to do and that was play first grade for Randwick in the Shute Shield.
And nothing ever deterred the now 25-year-old from that goal.
In the opening round of the delayed 2020 Shute Shield Powter finally achieved the feat - and scored a try on debut - with the Ben McCormack coached Randwick at Coogee Oval last Saturday.
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His 14-year journey with the club has now seen him notch up an incredible feat with the Galloping Greens - playing for every team across grade and colts.
“I played as a junior with Randwick. I’ve been playing since I was 11,” Powter said.
“I have played third, second and first colts and then fourth, third and second grade.
“I love the game. The goal was always to play first grade.
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“Growing up you see that team playing, you hear stories about them, see them training. I alway look up to them.”
And urging him to stay true to his dream along the way was one of Randwick’s most beloved members and former Wallaby, the late Jeff Sayle.
He impacted the way you wanted to play the game
Sayle, a former president of Randwick and club icon, passed away late last year aged 77.
“A lot of older players like Jeff Sayle would always come over and have a chat, tell you how important you were to the club,’’ Powter said.
“He impacted the way you wanted to play the game. He’d turn up at training and give everyone a pump up.”
A Sydney Water graduate living at Maroubra, Powter is hoping to spend more time in first grade this season.
But that won’t be happening for another week or so after he took a head knock in Randwick’s 13-8 victory over last year’s runners-up Warringah in round two.
Coach Ben McCormack said both Powter and Dave Horwitz will have to follow concussion protocols ahead of their next appearances for the club.
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Randwick defeated the Hunter Wildfires 50-7 in their season opener and are now one of only four teams with two wins in the competition.
This round the club takes on the Two Blues at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday.