Shute Shield 2020: Easts legend becomes member of every club
A diehard fan has done the unthinkable in support of grassroots rugby, becoming a member of every Shute Shield club, even swallowing his pride to join his greatest rival.
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Easts diehard Hamish McCathie never imagined he’d be a Randwick member in 2020.
Joining the green slime? No chance.
But McCathie’s love for Sydney club rugby outweighs any resentment he may hold for the neighbouring Galloping Greens, who are the Beasties’ greatest rival.
In fact, his love for the Shute Shield is so great that he purchased memberships with all 11 clubs to support the competition during the COVID-19 shutdown.
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“Randwick was 100 per cent the hardest,” Mr McCathie said.
“I played first and second grade for Easts, I’ve coached first colts at Easts. Randwick have always been the arch enemy,” Mr McCathie said.
“But I wanted to hop on and make a difference. Thought it’d be a good way to support all the clubs.”
The Easts sponsor and foundation board member said rugby is special to the McCathie family.
His great uncle Mick Grace played for the Wallabies back in 1933.
His sons Jack and Max are also “Beasties”.
“Community rugby clubs are so important, so many of your good mates come from the clubs, it becomes your home,” Mr McCathie said.
“When the boys were younger, if they were ever lost or scared and we weren’t around, they could always go to Easts. They used to do their homework down there, it’s their second home, a family.”
Mr McCathie hopes to inspire other members and sponsors to join all Shute Shield clubs to boost the competition during the pandemic.
“I want to try and get 100 people to do the same thing before we kick off, if we do end up kicking off in July,” Mr McCathie said.
“Now, when Easts play away, I can go to home games of West Harbour or Western Sydney Two Blues knowing that I’m a member of that home club too.
“That’ll be quite fulfilling.”