A special jumper will feature at St John’s College for decades to come after a recent presentation was made to the school by Martin Cook and John Walkom.
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The St John’s College 40-year jersey includes the photo and career highlights of St John’s two internationals, Dean Pay and Andrew Ryan.
The jumper will be on display next to other jumpers in the college’s human movement centre alongside Beau Robinson’s Waratah jumper from the 2008 Super 14 final, and Andrew Ryan’s first State of Origin jumper.
Long time teacher and principal Warren Frew was on hand at the presentation of the jumper and reflected on the role that rugby league has had on the college. “Rugby league has always been played at the college, and it has been one of the extracurricular activities that has given the college it’s identity in western NSW, and on the larger stage as well,” he said.
“Seeing the older faces of past teachers and students with the current students is pleasing, as it further enhances the concept of tradition, and the wider community support for the college.”
Paul ‘Pop’ Fahy, who was named as coach of the 40-year team, was also present.
Former Men Of League CEO Martin Cook, who has just returned to Dubbo with his young family to live, and local rugby league identity John Walkom were also present.
Current students Isaah Yeo, Billy Sing and Ben Marlin accepted the jumper on behalf of the college.
Rugby League is alive and well this year in the college with more than 90 boys trialling for the junior league teams.
St John’s has a proud 40 year-plus tradition of playing rugby league with about 40 former students having been graded with Sydney and NRL teams over the decades.
At the moment former St John’s students Andrew Ryan and Daniel Conn are playing in the NRL, and class of 2009 product Lionel O’Mally is playing hooker in the Bulldogs Toyota Cup squad.
Former student from the 1980s Dean Pay is in charge of the Melbourne Toyota Cup side while Martin Meredith, who was a student in the 70s, currently heads the NSWRL Academy at Narrabeen.
The current generation of students at St John’s are continuing the tradition of rugby league at the college with enthusiasm.
Recently 10 boys travelled to Forbes for the Western NSW Combined Catholic Colleges trials.
Marshall Sing, Joe Stageman, Mitch Dunlop, Bailey Jenkins, Harry Kempston, Kaide Rapley, Jesse Dunlop, Billy O’Connor and Hewett Haycock trialled in the under-15s, and Isaah Yeo in the Opens.
Sing (five-eighth) and Dunlop (wing) were successful in being selected to attend the NSW Southern Country Catholic trials, while Isaah Yeo was picked in the Opens.
Those games will be played in Wagga Wagga early next term.
