The work is by no means done for St Marys Rugby League, who celebrate not one but two NSWRL Minor Premierships this weekend in Sydney Shield and the Leagues Clubs Australia Ron Massey Cup.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden was on hand at St Marys Leagues Stadium on Sunday (30 July) to hand the Minor Premiership shields to the club after Round 18 action – the last round in the regular competition. Finals Week One begins on Sunday 13 August.
In Round 18, St Marys’ Ron Massey Cup side ended the regular season with a resounding 50-18 win over the visiting Kaiviti Silktails. Meanwhile, the St Marys’ Sydney Shield squad scored an even more impressive 70-4 victory over Cabramatta.
“It’s recognition for our performances throughout the season and we appreciate Dave coming out,” said Football Manager Adam Przybyla.
“It’s a very nice achievement but ultimately the players are driven for more. The two groups have been rewarded for consistency and hard work.
“But in Shield we want to go back-to-back (Premierships) and in Ron Massey it would be our first ever title – we’ve been in three grand finals but haven’t quite got it done yet.
“We’ll be holding Week One and Week Two finals here too, which is another good reward.”
Regardless of the Round 18 scorelines today, St Marys were unbeaten in both grades heading into this weekend with the Minor Premierships already secured.
A core of players from St Mary’s 2022 success – Minor Premiers in Sydney Shield and second on the ladder in Ron Massey Cup – have been kept in the 2023 squads.
“There’s been a bit of that but there’s always changeover in these competitions as players seek opportunities elsewhere to try to get a NRL contract,” Przybyla said.
“But I just think there’s also a nod of respect to the environment and culture that’s here at St Marys. That goes a long way as we’ve always been pretty consistent with our performances year on year.”
The St Marys culture was the key theme behind success, according to Przybyla, along with a strong coaching staff that includes Penrith’s 2003 Premiership-winning captain Craig Gower.
“We stay really well-connected with the boys at the club,” Przybyla said.
“I’m not sure what happens at others in club-land but these guys invest three nights a week from November right through to September.
“There’s no whinging, they just get the job done. And we like to have practices and pathways and standards here that help them excel and get opportunities beyond our program – the NRL.
“Craig Gower and I were talking at the weekend. And he’s been a professional since he was 17 but you take your hat off to these guys, who work, are up at 5am or 6am to get to their jobs.
“They work at those all day and then come and lift in the gym and train on the field.
“It’s about making themselves better and aspiring to higher levels in footy. They do it willingly; they invest in it.”
