Moruya Sharks players tap the head of Ack Weyman before playing. Photo: Kat Patton Photography, Moruya Sharks RLFC Facebook.
The Moruya Sharks Rugby League Football Club is the heart and soul of the South Coast town, with almost every resident having some form of connection with the team.
This year, the Sharks have the largest committee they have ever had, and numbers are up significantly in the playing ranks across all four grades.
Like many country communities, this hasn’t always been the case.
In the past 23 years alone, the Sharks have folded twice, first in 2002 before reforming in 2003.
The club went on to win the Club Championship the following season.
Then, in 2007, the Sharks folded again before reforming in 2009.
Four years later, the club won the premiership.
The Sharks’ golden run of back-to-back premierships in 2015 and 2016 coincided with the return of local legend Michael Weyman after 141 NRL first-grade games.
Michael Weyman at the entrance to Moruya’s Ack Weyman Oval. Photo: Supplied.
Weyman was part of the Sharks family from an early age. Weyman’s father, Ack, was a driving force in the local rugby league community.
Says Michael, “Dad had the kids on the ground in prams while he marked the lines, so it’s been part of our lives forever.”
Michael’s passion for the club shone through on his return.
“I love the club as it is what Moruya is all about. It’s our town’s game. Everyone wants the boys to do well, and there’s nothing like sitting on the hill at Ack Weyman Oval cheering the Sharks.”
The Sharks have an enormous following, so tickets for the 100th birthday celebrations are expected to sell out quickly. Image: Facebook.
Justin Zutt is the club president and has held practically every position the Sharks have had on offer, including captain-coach.
He says, “It’s a really good club. Everybody is part of it. We’ve always used locals; we don’t go out and bring players in.”
Justin and his committee will have their hands full this season as the Sharks celebrate their 100th year.
The club’s first game was in June 1925 against Braidwood.
They won premierships in 1938, 1989, 1998, 2004, 2013, 2015 and 2016, and there are high hopes for the Sharks this season given the growth in numbers.
The club will be holding its 100-year celebration dinner on 28 June. For tickets, visit TryBooking.
Original Article published by Tim Gavel on Region Canberra.
