Pittwater Online News

June 1 - 30, 2026: Issue 655

Mona Vale Raiders Junior Rugby League Club: their 2026 Season so far

Website: monavalerugbyleague.com.au
Instagram: www.instagram.com/monavaleraiders

Formed in 1964, the Mona Vale Raiders are one of the fastest growing and one of the most successful junior rugby league clubs in the Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby League (MWDJRL) competition. The home of the mighty Mona Vale Junior Rugby League Club - better known as the Raiders - is Newport Oval - which is used by local cricket clubs during the offseason.

The club is keen to keep growing and with 800+ members and supporters from Under 6's through to Opens plus a growing female membership the Raiders need girls change rooms, better facilities and a clubhouse to meet that demand. In fact, the Raiders are the only junior rugby league club in Pittwater without a clubhouse.

Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby stated, after a visit to Newport Oval to look over the facilities with current Raiders president Hamish Mclean;

“Sports and sporting clubs are the heartbeat of our community yet they’ve been neglected for decades. I’m committed to investing the time and energy over the coming years to improve our sports facilities that have been neglected for decades.

The people showing up every weekend deserve facilities that show up for them too. Fixing that means doing the unglamorous work with multiple stakeholders — the meetings, negotiations, and groundwork and getting plans, designs and costing so if a grant opportunity opens, its able to be applied for.

These clubs slip through the cracks – despite having amazing club leadership. Council prioritises spending money where the developer contributions are, like the well-deserved and long overdue upgrades to Boondah Reserve. We’ve seen these clubs miss out again in the council’s rolling 4 year budget.

Although under council jurisdiction, I’ve called on the state government to come to the table with additional grant opportunities. I’ve invited the Sports Minister to come to Pittwater and see these sites.’’

To that end the MP for Pittwater has tabled a Notice of Motion which reads:

That this House:
(1) Notes that sport amenity blocks in Pittwater are over 50 years old, at the end of their asset life and no longer fit for purpose.
(2) Notes that many of the fields are regularly closed due to flooding and require drainage and improvement works.
(3) Notes that sports participation is surging, particularly women's participation in traditionally male dominated sports.
(4) Calls on the Government to reinstate Level the Playing Field and other grants programs targeted at local sports facilities with a focus on aged infrastructure and closure rates, rather than spend $300 million on closing the roof on Accor Stadium.

The Mona Vale Raiders were very pleased announce the appointment of David Heath and Matt Kelly as their 2026 Grade coaches.

After a win in Round 6 of the 2026 Northern Open Age Gold with 5 wins in 6 games, the Mona Vale Raiders A Grade sit at the top of the ladder as we head into Round 7 today, Sunday May 31 2026.

This Issue a few insights into a true local family rugby league club and a chat with Mona Vale Raiders president Hamish Mclean, A Grade coach David Heath and a few words from the Raiders Committee on their Mission to be and remain 'A true local family rugby league club'.

A chat with 2026 President Hamish Mclean:

This is your first year as president of the Mona Vale Raiders – what’s been involved?

Having just been on the committee before, there’s a fair amount of pre-season effort to get to kick-off. Even now we’ve got the Raiders Den running, we had our Mother’s Day round, and we have the Sponsor’s Day coming up, so me being across the club more wholesomely is a key part of what I focus on, trying to support each area of the club. That said, there is a huge amount of knowledge and work done by all our committee members throughout the Season and pre-season too. You are only as good as the team backing the club up – and we have a great team of volunteers focused in every area, from those who serve on the committee to those who set up the grounds, look after the equipment, man or women the bbq and kiosk on game days.

There’s also been a tremendous effort to support one of our own, and one of our coaches and favourite family’s – Jason Death. Jason had a fall and I’ve just been in the hospital checking on him.

Jason will have a long-term road to recovery and the club is keen to support that. We passed the kitty around at the Touch Footy game some of the dads play on Monday nights and I know there’s a GoFundMe page at present to try and support Jason and his family as well.

He’s out of ICU and in one of the wards now. He’s looking at a reasonably long rehab.

The Deaths have a long road ahead, and we’d love to support them in any way we can. We don’t know his full recovery path yet, but with your help and positive thoughts, we know he’ll get through this.

The community can support Jason and his family at: www.gofundme.com/support-jasons-road-to-recovery

The Mona Vale JRFC name was changed in 1987 after being part of the Pittwater R.S.L. J.R.L.F.C. and the Mona Vale Sports Club prior to that. This means next year is your 40th anniversary under the ‘Raiders’ name – are there any plans for anniversary celebrations?

Yes – there are some discussions taking place within the committee team. More on that soon.

Where does the name ‘Raiders’ stem from – why was this chosen?

Anecdotes state the Mona Vale Rugby League Club adopted the name "Raiders" because founders and early members wanted a fierce, energetic mascot, although local lore has often associated the moniker with the nearby Royal Australian Navy base at HMAS Penguin and the Australian commandos (also known as raiders) historically linked with the region's military training grounds.

Succession planning – the Raiders fielded an A Grade team for the first time in years in 2025 – why did the club want to start up a Seniors side again?

We wanted to create a pathway for younger players who wanted to continue playing for the Raiders. How the plan came about was, as an example, my middle son who plays football was at another club and that team folded and he came down to the Raiders. I met Frank, who was the coach, and Helda.

We all had our sons playing and they wanted to keep playing together. During the conversation it came up that beyond 18’s the boys start to looking to go elsewhere, to another club, because there was no A Grade at Mona Vale.

So we put a Senior Committee together to start to have discussions about what do we want to be as a club to players, families and the community, and we wanted to put an extension in there where they didn’t have to leave the club. The core of that team had been playing together since they were 5 years old, and then the joining of additional players over the years, means they have a really really strong bond. We decided that a); we could create a pathway to senior football, and b) create a pathway for them to go beyond that in doing the same for others.

A football club is not dissimilar to a surf club in that you want to maintain pathways for everyone – you have got to cater for all players and types of players – you don’t want to be just focussed on the best players. So you want every player in every team to become better players and better people – you want to help them build the best parts of their own character. So we set some KPI’s to look at pathways for the better players and we wanted to ensure that the players that were undeveloped could be developed into competitive players in that team so they could contribute and it would obviously be beneficial for them, for their confidence. That goes from Under 6’s all the way through to Under 21’s, and now we have that A Grade. So for our 21’s we made that decision that they’d do another year as that this year but also commence that transition into A Grade this Season and for next year. That came into the decision of who we wanted to approach as a coach and David was perfect because he has just got Mona Vale DNA, he has the qualities we wanted as a coach – he just ticked all the boxes – he’s a really good guy, he just gets it, and he’s planned a really healthy year for us this year and beyond. He’s probably a little but like me and plans three steps beyond – he’s making room for the next step for them.

You also spoke earlier about building the club members by paying attention to their characters and how to support them as individuals to become all they aspire to be, and how that can be realised through helping them to become better at their footy. Is that unique in a grass level footy club, taking that in-depth approach?

One of the assistant coaches that has come on board this year did refer to that as a level of detail they’d not heard of before in club football. But for me, and the committee members, we see across the volunteering platform the amount of people and effort it requires to run amateur sports teams. Generally the demographic and the people who are putting themselves forward aren’t in the business of wasting their time – if you’re going to do it you want to do it properly, you can’t be three-quarters pregnant, you may as well be fully pregnant and do it as best you can.

The Mona Vale Raiders has players, members and volunteers from juniors to seniors – how many are actively playing or volunteering to support teams or as committee members and volunteers on or off the ground?

We are one of the largest clubs in the area. With the juniors they want to play with their friends, so some may leave us to go and play at other clubs in order to do that. My approach is I want to help build a healthy competition across the Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby League as that makes for a healthy community across our area. Roughly speaking we have 27 teams – when you look at the numbers on that, and it’s in excess of 400 players and around 2 kids per family. I also look at the membership of the club also including the parents. So we have a membership base of 800+ people.

Avalon Bulldogs President Craig Schlitter and Mona Vale Raiders President Hamish Mclean with the Barrenjoey Cup - building connections across the Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby League clubs

The Raiders Den and Nik Vuko hosting that area at home games encourages big supporters and Life Members to be on hand?

We wanted to create an area for people who are highly supportive of the club to be able to catch up with the members and each other. To me, a Life Membership is not an insignificant award; those people have worked super hard for the club over a sustained period of time. They deserve recognition and they deserve some time to enjoy football because probably through their tenure they were running around like lunatics and not really getting to sit and watch a lot of footy.

You are also the 2026 Delegate to MWJRL?

Yes, it’s usually the president or the secretary of a club who takes on that responsibility to go to those meetings and stay abreast of what’s occurring. It can be a juggle for me because of my workload and I can have some domestic and overseas work travel, but it comes down to that great team we have at the club and that committee, we always have each other’s back.

How many hours would you be putting in to the what’s involved in looking after the Raiders each week outside of those big days when you have back-to-back games at Newport Oval?

Well, I’ve done it before at Freshwater surf club when I was a member there…

So it’s in your blood then – volunteering and putting into community, building community. How long were you at Freshwater SLSC?

My eldest son was there as a 5-year-old and through to a cadet at age 15, so that was 10 years. Then my middle son went through as well, so another 2 years, so that’s 12. The structure is similar to junior rugby league – you become an Age Manager if you want to get involved. From my experience, the people who volunteer are a special type of person. You see the people who are really busy but want to step forward and do more – you can’t stand there and not doing anything when so many step up and want to do whatever they can to support the club and what it’s trying to do.

Our committee at the Raiders is split between Tag and tackle – so we have Hughie who handles Tag, the Junior side of football which is handled by Alex, and then we have Nik who handles the Senior side, and there’s a committee around the Seniors which has the strategic discussions and how to put those into action, and then we have the overall committee. So all of those people are doing lots of work each week – we have Mitch, Alex, our Registrar Suellen, Matthew, we have Frank Sergi and Shane Pretty – there’s a committee across the club and they’re all putting in the time to make it better.

The Raiders seems to be the only local rugby league outfit that doesn’t have a clubhouse. You have change rooms, storage and a kiosk at Newport oval, and ladies and gentleman’s amenities at the back of the change rooms but no facilities for meetings or any other function. With such a large membership, and a growing cohort of girls playing, is there a plan to get a clubhouse built?

We’ve been attempting to get an upgrade on our facilities since 2015. There is no clubhouse and no internal space for development of players and/or administration of the club. So we have a canteen, limited storage space and totally antiquated change rooms. We have looked into grant cycles, and have applied for one recently, but I learnt is we cannot apply for any grant until we have approval from council to do any work. The current council budget for 2026/27 has allocated 50 for design towards Expansion of Newport Oval Sports Amenities, so hopefully that commences a way forward.

As the club has at its core wanting to be part of the whole community, we have been talking to the cricket clubs that use the oval outside of the footy season, and they would use that clubhouse all year round in conjunction with us.

Raiders girls

The DNA of the Raiders is a whole of community club – whenever there’s a game on there’s everyone from mums and dads to grandparents and knee-high players running around as well. It’s like a family. How do you maintain that?

I think the people who work as volunteers and committee members have just worked over decades to ensure the narrative of inclusiveness is clear in what the expectations are. I’ve always been a massive fan of knowing that when you put good people in place it attracts more good people.

The Raider’s favourite place in Pittwater is obviously their home ground, Newport Oval – but is there a motto?

I know what our committee has discussed as our aspirations are in terms of what we stand for and that was and remains to be 'A true local family rugby league club'.

Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby with Raiders Vice President Seniors, Nik Vuko (right) and President Hamish Mclean

A chat with A Grade Coach David Heath:

How long have you been coaching teams?

I’ve been coaching for the past 15 years. I was working in strength and conditioning at Manly in what was their under 20’s, their NYC (National Youth Competition) many years ago and then ultimately coached the Under 20’s from 2013 to 2015. We took a team to the Grand Final in 2015 but lost unfortunately.

I then went to the West Tigers and worked with them on their NSW Cup campaign for two years, 2016 and 2017. I then had a break and came back and coached for the NSW Cup at Blacktown in 2022. In 2023 and 2024 I coached for the Ron Massey Cup at Hills. I had a year off and then found myself coaching locally, which is good – I live locally too.

The A Grade Team at Mona Vale Raiders is having a great run this Season – what has been your approach?

We’ve concentrated on getting a great group of people together that want to be there, want to be part of a team and at the moment we’re ticking that box of having a unified group. We’re only 4 weeks in to the Season but so far they’re enjoying themselves, they want to play football with each other, which is great.

And there are 3 members of the same family playing on the team this year?

Yes, the Faatui families; Elia is the eldest. I first met Elia several years ago when he was playing down at Manly, and there’s Tautua and Noah, who’s the youngest at only 22 years old, it’s been nice to have them. Within the team there are groups of friends, which certainly helps football.

There is a fair amount of work that goes into coaching – what is your routine?

For me it’s all about bringing people together and pointing them in the right direction. I think people who work in team sports like being around teams, it’s that simple. It’s the relationships you build; you’re constantly catching up with people you helped years ago and that’s a nice feeling, to have contributed something to others.

Succession planning – in seeing the Under 21’s play on Mother’s Day and their support of the A Grade team game straight afterwards, there’s clearly cohesion between the teams right across the club in all age divisions. Will they be stepping up to play in the Opens next year?

Yes – we’ve also had some playing with them this year too. The focus of the club re: entering senior footy again last year, was because provide a pathway for the older teams. There’s an 18’s team as well moving through so they wanted senior football to be an option for them at Mona Vale, to retain them at Mona Vale. So it’s very much part of the plan for those young men to come through and filter into A Grade and we’ve already had some of that this year – a few boys have made a debut from that 21’s team and they’ll continue to do so throughout the year. We actually brought those two groups together pre-season, they train together on Tuesday nights. We’ve done that intentionally to make sure we’re all on the same page.

David Heath - eyes on the members of the teams

The Mona Vale Raiders Committee states:

At Mona Vale Rugby League Club, our home ground isn't just a place; it's where dreams take flight, where passions unite, and where communities thrive.

Our Mission

Our mission is simple yet profound: to foster a culture of inclusivity, excellence, and sportsmanship. Through our programs, initiatives, and events, we aim to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds to discover the transformative power of sport.

What distinguishes us is not just what happens within the lines of the playing field, but the values that underpin everything we do. Integrity, respect, and teamwork are the cornerstones upon which our community is built. Here, winning isn't just about the score—it's about the journey, the lessons learned, and the bonds forged along the way.

Get Involved

Whether you're a seasoned athlete, a budding enthusiast, or simply someone who loves to support a good cause, there's a place for you here at Mona Vale Rugby League Club. Explore our various programs, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising initiatives to see how you can be a part of something truly special.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest news, events, and happenings within our community by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter. Together, let's continue to write the next chapter of our collective sporting journey.

Join Us at Our Home-ground: Newport Oval

From the buzz of competition to the camaraderie of training sessions, our home ground pulsates with energy. Here, friendships are forged, skills are honed, and memories are made. It's more than just a venue; it's the beating heart of our vibrant sporting family.

So, come on in, kick off your shoes, and make yourself at home. Whether you're here to compete, to spectate, or simply to soak in the electric atmosphere, know that you're always welcome on our home ground and in the Raiders Community.

2026 Committee and Office Bearers

Executive committee
President: Hamish Mclean
Senior Vice President of Operations: Vaughan Wooldridge
Secretary: Shane Pretty
Treasurer: Ben Cooper

Committee Members
Vice President Juniors: Alex Hayman
Vice President Tag: Matthew Lloyd
Vice President Seniors: Nik Vuko
Registrar: Suellen Whitfield
Delegates to MWJRL: Hamish Mclean

Life members

Col Burdon
Di Burdon
Paul Vescio
Tania Marr
Kevin Marr
Mel Trbojevic
John Trbojevic
Steve Wilson
Warwick Phillips
David O’Donnell
Jade Warner
Mitch Murphy
Frank Sergi

A Grade: 2026
David Heath – Coach
Matt Kelly – Level 1 Trainer
Cameron Ashe – Level 2 Trainer

Players
Eli CLARK - Fullback
Jona KOROIADI - Winger
Pateresio BERAMAISUVA - Centre
Tautua FAATUI - Centre
Jacob LOWE - Winger
Archie SERGI - Five-Eighth
Oskar WARNER - Halfback
Noa FAATUI - Prop
TJ HERRING - Hooker
Elia FAATUI - Prop
Marco SEVERINO - Second row
Phoenix DEATH – Second row
BAYLEY WHITFIELD - Lock
Tj LAVAPESI-SIMI
Zac FLOYD
Akemi MA'U
Cooper JOYCE
Tyrone SHELLEY
Max DALBY-BALL FAITHFULL - Fullback

2026 Northern Open Age Gold competition results from rounds

Raiders A Grade Team, coaches, 2026

Mona Vale Raiders U/21: 2026
Max DALBY-BALL FAITHFULL- Fullback
Michael FELEDY- Winger
Lachie DAVIS - Centre
Xavier MCLEAN - Centre
Kieran CASEY - Winger
Blake LONG - Five-Eighth
Ethan Maltby - Halfback
George LAWSON - Prop
William KEEP - Hooker
David KELLY - Prop
Dylan BELLAMY SPACKMAN - Second Row
Cooper JOYCE - Lock
Che MCGAW
Lachlan TAYLOR
Lachlan MCANALLY
Josh BATCHELOR
Hamish DOUGLAS

2026 Metro Under 21 competition results from rounds

Try! + Raiders U21's team, May 10 Mother's Day Round 2026

History of the Mona Vale Raiders Junior Rugby League Football Club

1964

In September, Mona Vale Sports Club incorporates with Pittwater R.S.L., leading to the formation of Pittwater R.S.L. Youth Club. Seven rugby league teams were entered, highlighting the strength of the sport in the Mona Vale area.

The Melville and Johnston families played a significant role in running the club. Four teams were entered each year.

1967

In February, Alan Wilson, President of the Youth Club, announced the discontinuation of rugby league teams due to a lack of support.

In March, an U/19 C grade team was formed thanks to the dedication of a staunch supporter, Harold Porter, and they reached the finals.

Mona Vale Raiders: the Name

[Reference - Manly-Warringah Rugby League Football Club which was begun February 11, 1932 as the Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby League. Original A Grade clubs: Brookvale, Dee Why, Freshwater, Manly, Narrabeen and North Curl Curl. First Junior League President: Harry Bones]

The Mona Vale Junior Rugby League Club was incorporated in the mid-1960s, predating the Canberra Raiders by nearly two decades.

Some of the original training grounds include the Mona Vale ‘The Oaks’ at Mona Vale Beach, used by the Light Horse pre WWI. Later, during WWII, the Mona Vale Golf Course and The Oaks, by then named 'La Corniche', was utilised by the AIF as training grounds and as the centre for defence along the coast in defence posts as much as setting up tank traps from Mona Vale to Bungan to Bayview. The son of the then owner, Gerald McPhee, became a Commando in New Guinea during this conflict as a M Special Unit member.

Additionally, the commandoes of Z Force who led a raid on Singapore in The Krait, Operation Jaywick, trained in the estuary adjacent to and around Pittwater. The Krait was, from 1964, a rescue vessel with the then Volunteer Coastal Patrol on Pittwater so The Raiders, in being focussed not just on footy but in helping others to become all they can be and be a part of growing the community, certainly follows in some very proud footsteps. It speaks further to the rich maritime history of this area when you find out that Z Force trained for that mission in the bays in and around Pittwater and Broken Bay.

1968

Extensive discussions and advertising at all levels failed to garner support, resulting in no teams being entered.

1969

In April, Reg Hansell managed to assemble seventeen U/13 players to form an H grade team. Their jumpers were bottle green with a white V, and Jack Halsted donated $10 to the best and fairest player.

1970

No teams were fielded this year.

1971

In April, Reg Hansell fielded an F grade team, narrowly missing the semifinals by two points.

No teams were fielded until the club's reformation in 1978 by Norm Monico, which marked the beginning of Pittwater R.S.L. J.R.L.F.C. John Trbojevic, having played junior league for Narrabeen Sharks became a part of Mona Vale’s Pittwater RSL JRLFC era. Melissa and John are now life members of the Raiders.

1978

In February, an A grade side was entered in the M.W.J.R.L. competition. The President was Norm Monico, the Coach was John Spittles, and Bernie Morris served as the Patron.

1979

An A grade side, coached by Gary Spittles, was entered. Norm Monico remained the President.

1980

In February, an A grade side was once again entered, along with junior H and J grade teams. Laurie Beetson, Carl Thorne, and Ian Orr served as coaches. Norm Monico was the President.

1981

Multiple grade teams were entered in the competition, with Laurie Beetson, Carl Thorne, Ian Orr, John Wiles, Mick Robertson, and Frank Downing as coaches. Norm Monico remained the President, and Bernie Morris continued to be involved in the club's administration.

1987

The club was renamed Mona Vale J.R.L.F.C.

Scott Burdon, son of the original club president’s Col Burdon, who played in the U11’s 42 years ago (1984), recalls the colours were selected because all of the other club colours were taken (presuming they were looking at the then NSWRL Winfield Cup).

1989

The AGM in October saw Norm Monico as President, with Eric Watts and Ray Purser as Vice Presidents, Col Burdon as Secretary, and Richard Bell as Treasurer. The committee included several members, and Max Delmege served as the Patron.

1990

Norm Monico remained President, with Chris Bourke as Vice President. Kay Millar and Di Burdon shared the Secretary position, and Di Peck was the Treasurer. The committee expanded, and Max Delmege continued as the Patron.

1991

Teams nominated for the season included N Grade, L Grade, K Grade, I Grade, G Grade, F Grade, and C Grade. Office bearers remained mostly the same, with the inclusion of Carl Thorne and Lee Whitney.

1992- 2024

The club fielded teams in F Grade, J1, J2, L Grade, M Grade, and N Grade.

In December 2024 the Mona Vale JRLFC, the Mona Vale Raiders, announced the return of an A Grade Team after 23 years - with Steve Wilson and Frank Sergi coaching, former Raiders players the Trbojevic brothers volunteering their time to help develop the team, and a family spirit within the team like that in the Raiders club itself - including actual family members playing together; the three Thomas brothers, Wes, Juwan and Quincy, were playing A Grade for the Raiders this Season.

2025

The club fielded an A Grade Team for the first time in several years. This was based in part on a succession planning which saw players from previous years wanting to go beyond the U18’s as Raiders members. The MVJRLFC aims to grow the game across the area by supporting current and future members as well as the Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby League (MWDJRL).