Newport Breakers Rugby Club has seen people come and go, but stalwart Alan Murray-Jones is in the for the ‘long kick’.
Alan Murray-Jones has been volunteering with Newport Breakers Rugby Club for 32 years. But his love affair with the club began as a player in 1976 when he returned to Australia after living overseas. He is now the club’s vice president and gives a big chunk of his time to volunteering.
Most weekends you’ll find Alan at the club’s home ground, Porter Reserve in Newport, supporting the players. As well as cheering on the club’s teams, he spends many hours helping out on the sidelines.
You’ll also see him turning sausages on the BBQ, organising teams, marshalling games, and a multitude of tasks to keep the large rugby club going.
“We run the match day operations on the oval from the first game to the last,” Alan says.
“It’s making sure that we’ve got a good strategy so that the game day runs very smoothly and that we don’t have any issues. And I liaise with the opposing clubs and make sure that everybody’s happy and we’re all looking in the same direction.”
Alan grew up in Castlecrag but settled on the Northern Beaches on his return from a stint living overseas. “When I came home from overseas, I lived in Whale Beach and Avalon. And somebody said, ‘Newport’s got a rugby team’. So I came down and I’ve never left!”
The Breakers believes in mateship, hard work and fun with a strong community-based ethos, and Alan says the club is one big family.
“We are a very community-orientated club and we have crowds of locals coming to watch our footy every Saturday.” The teams also support each
other. “All the juniors come and watch the seniors play and vice versa. It’s fabulous.”
With over 250 registered players, they’re a loyal bunch. Alan says that many players grow up with the club, donning their boots from a young age right through to the senior teams -‘unless they’re pinched by the Rats for their skills!’ he laughs.
Alan is a grandfather now, although his grandkids don’t live locally. But he has seen many of his colleagues from the 1970s have kids who played footy for the club, and now their grandkids want to play for the Breakers too.
Established in 1963, Newport Rugby Club has about 30 teams ranging from the minis (under-fives), right up to the over 35s.
Until recently, it was mostly men who played for the Breakers. These days, the club has many female players with The Newport Breakettes team forming in 2021. Alan thinks this is ‘absolutely fantastic’. “That’s the way it’s going now on the Northern Beaches. Newport Juniors are full of girl players. It’s wonderful.”
A government grant allowed for a new clubhouse with well-needed female amenities, opened earlier this year. “That has been a game changer,” says Alan. “It will get more girls coming down to play.”
After 32 years of volunteering, Alan is more committed to the club than ever. Lucky Breakers.
To volunteer or play with the club, go to newportrugby.com.au.
