The Ray White Noosa Dolphins commence their 40th Anniversary season when they take on Brothers in an Anzac Day special at Sunshine Beach this Friday. In a first for Rugby on the Coast, the match will be played on Anzac Day and form part of a full day of junior and senior rugby culminating in a special ANZAC ceremony, a time to reflect and remember those who have lost their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.
“What better way to start 2025 – our 40th year – than a full day of Rugby incorporating an ANZAC ceremony so our Rugby community can get together and remember what the day is about; honouring those who have and continue to serve and the sacrifices they have made,” Dolphins president Chris Burton said. “Junior matches will commence at 8.30am, Senior Womens at 12.30pm, Reserve grade 1.50pm and A Grade 3.30pm. Our ANZAC ceremony will commence at 3.15.”
Coming into the season as reigning A Grade Premiers, the Dolphins have enjoyed a solid preseason with trial matches against Dalby and Maroochydore. Last year saw the club benefit from a raft of changes on and off the field.
A number of significant changes to playing personel has occurred including the loss to Sydney rugby of last years Best and Fairest Jock Hansson, Pala Mailinga to Brisbane and the retirements of the consistent Jonathan Davies and Jimmy Wilson-Bishop. With the inclusion, though, of the reigning Queensland Country Number 8 Tai Ford, former Caboolture centre Kegan Tuhega and kiwis Albie Polu and Drew Narby-Nimiti to the senior men’s squad, along with longtime Dolphins Alex Tollis, Matt Kelly, Reon Fortington, Tyler Searle and Julian Scott-Davies and the return to rugby of Ethan Pohlner, the battle for A Grade starting positions has been intense.
“The preseason has been good, but we are still building and that is by design,” said coach Jim McKay. “We know competition will be tough when we face all our opposition, that’s just how it is, clubs quite rightly want to knock off the reigning champions. We will continue to play exciting running rugby, and when I look at our squad, I know we can do that.”
The Ray White Noosa Dolphins entered the competition in 1985 with the A Grade side appearing in 34 Grand Finals, winning 19 of those. The 40th year will see a formal celebration on May 24 with a Cocktail Night at Peppers. For all information on the dinner and the ANZAC Match Day, go to the Dolphins Facebook Page.
