South Sydney Player Association (SPA)

In early 2008, former South Sydney captains Sean Garlick and Mario Fenech established the first South Sydney Past Players’ Association, a financially-independent body with its own committee.

Its aim was to foster the camaraderie that past players and officials of the South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club enjoyed and shared when they were active members of the club in any capacity.

Members are defined as:

• Players in first, second and third grades, plus Under 20s, Under 21s and Under 23s;
• Coaching staff (both paid and honorary attached to the above)
• Volunteer staff (trainers, managers, time keepers, statisticians, gear stewards, masseurs, waterboys, mascots and general support staff.)
• Board Members
• Football Club office staff

A comprehensive database of contact details was set up and continually updated, enabling members to be informed of functions and re-unions. Membership is free but members are asked to join the Family Of League organisation.

The name was later changed to Souths Players’ Association and nick-named ‘R-Ageing Rabbits’.

The following is a timeline of previously held functions:

1. Friday 14 March 2008 at 6pm - Millennium Room at ANZ Stadium for the opening game of the season between Souths and Roosters. Souths lost 20-34 but the function was well attended and considered successful.

2. Friday 26 September 2008 at 12 noon - Sky Lounge Souths Juniors, also well attended.

3. Friday 2 October 2009 at 6pm - Fox and Lions Hotel, near Fox Studios. By now themes were introduced, this one being 20 years since the winning of the minor premiership, 15 years since the winning of the Tooheys Challenge and 10 years since being expelled from the NRL competition.

4. Friday 10 May 2010 at 12 noon - Yarra Bay Sailing Club. This one was the inaugural launch of the R-Ageing Rabbits and name change to SPA.

5. Friday 9 July 2010 at 6pm - Paddington Room at Sydney Football Stadium for the Round 18 South Sydney vs Roosters clash. Souths went down again 14-18.

6. Friday 1 October 2010 at 1pm - Mr B’s 390 Pitt St, Sydney.

7. Saturday 12 May 2012 at 12 noon - Auditorium of the newly opened Souths Leagues Club, called Souths On Chalmers. This was a celebration of the Grand Final teams of 1967-71 and to christen the new licensed club. Only 25 players were used in those Grand Finals, and most of them were present at a very well attended function.

8. Friday 21 September 2012 at 12 noon - Souths On Chalmers with MC Andrew Voss, where the Top 13 most capped first graders were honoured. About 360 attended including then-current coach Michael Maguire. Comedian Vince Sorrenti entertained the gathering.

9. Saturday 29 June 2013 at 12 noon - Games room, Souths Juniors. Unfortunately by now Souths On Chalmers was closed, placed in administration in March 2013. This one was where the ‘past met the present’, with Michael Maguire and most of his squad present due to having a bye that weekend. MC was Steve ‘Chimes' Gillis. Comedian Jason ‘Rash’ Ryder entertained the gathering.

10. Friday 8 August 2014 - Round 22 South Sydney vs Manly-Warringah game at the Sydney Cricket Ground where the past players formed a guard of honour for the first grade team, which recorded an impressive 23-4 victory.

11. Friday 5 September 2014 at 12 noon - Wintle Room, South Juniors, when the 1989 teams were honoured. First grade minor premiers, reserve grade lost a play-off for fifth spot and Under 21s won the grand final over Canberra 23-4. The committee was especially pleased to welcome former first grade coach and club legend George Piggins. Andrew Voss was again MC.

12. Friday 17 April 2015 at 12 noon - Games room, Souths Juniors when the captains and coaches of the last 50 years were honoured. MC Jimmy Smith interviewed many of them on stage.

13. On Saturday 30 May 2015 at 3pm - Henry Morris Bar, Souths Juniors. A get together to watch the South Sydney vs Gold Coast game.

14. Thursday 27 August 2015 - Lap and Guard Of Honour vs Brisbane Broncos at ANZ Stadium.

15. Friday 15 July 2016 - George Piggins and Mario Fenech Roast at South Maroubra Surf Club. MC’s Stephen Sim and Rick Wayde. Guest singer Digger Revell.

16. Friday 23 September 2016 - The late Lionel Potter’s 80th birthday at The Hub, Coogee.

17. Friday 28 April 2017 - Lap and Guard of Honour vs Manly-Warringah at Allianz Stadium.

18. Saturday 17 June 2017 - ‘Most Capped First Grader’ John Sutton luncheon at the Wintle Room at The Juniors Kingsford.

19. Saturday 14 April 2018 - Past players, coaches, trainers, officials, administrators were invited to a free event at the Henry Morris Bar, The Juniors Kingsford.

20. Saturday 16 June 2018 - ‘Biggest Hitters' luncheon in the Wintle Room, The Juniors Kingsford.

• David Boyle
• Sam Burgess
• Mark Carroll
• Les Davidson
• Mario Fenech
• Charlie Frith
• Peter Johnston
• John O’Neill
• Dean Rampling
• Tony Rampling
• Ian Roberts
• John Sattler
• Gary Stevens

21. Saturday 2 February 2019 - ‘30 Years Since 1989’ at the Wintle Room, The Juniors Kingsford. First grade Minor Premiers and Under 21s Premiers were celebrated.

22. Saturday 8 June 2019 - Old Boys Day, Long Room Metricon Performance Centre (Redfern Oval). Watching the Pathways teams play.

23. Saturday 23 November 2019 - Free Event for past players, coaches and officials at the Henry Morris Bar, The Juniors Kingsford.

24. Saturday 1 May 2021 ‘Excitement Machines’ event at the Wintle Room, The Juniors Kingsford.

• Phil Blake
• Mitch Brennan
• Michael Cleary
• Greg Inglis
• Alex Johnston
• Bob McCarthy
• Nathan Merritt
• Craig Wing

25. Saturday 11 December 2021 - Lionel Potter Memorial at the Terrace Room, The Juniors Kingsford.

26. 26-28 February 2022 - Mudgee for the Charity Shield. Friday night re-union, football Saturday and races Sunday.

27. Friday 29 April 2022 - Re-union at the South Sydney vs Manly-Warringah game in Gosford.

28. Saturday 22 May 2022 - Re-union at the South Sydney vs Canberra game in Dubbo.

29. Saturday 9 July 2022 - ‘Modern Day Legends' event in the Wintle Room, The Juniors Kingsford.

• Sam Burgess
• Greg Inglis
• John Sutton

30. Saturday 6 August 2022 - Re-union at the South Sydney vs Warriors game at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

31. Friday 2 September 2022 from 3:30-6:30pm - Free event and re-union in the Henry Morris Bar, The Juniors Kingsford, followed by the opening of the new Allianz Stadium and South Sydney v Roosters game.

32. 17-19 February 2023 - Mudgee for the Charity Shield. Friday night re-union, football Saturday and races Sunday.

33. Friday 17 March 2023 - Re-union and free event including Football Club staff and select supporters, followed by South Sydney vs Roosters game at Allianz Stadium.

Notes:

• 2020 events were cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Current committee:

• Sean Garlick (Chair)
• Michael Andrews
• David Boyle
• Shannon Donato
• Stephen Fenech
• Bill Guard
• David Lyons
• Steve McDermott
• Arvind Naidu
• Brad Ryder
• Troy Slattery
• Desley Smith
• Gary Wright

Events Manager:

• Claudia Lovett

Designer:

• Adrian Coates (Icons of Sport)