Members of the NSW Waratahs made the journey to A.R. Hurst Reserve to help celebrate the Sylvania Bulldogs’ 50th anniversary last weekend.
The players took part in a meet and greet with Bulldogs’ juniors and put the club’s young players through their paces with a rugby skills and drills session.
The club’s long history started with their association with the former Blakehurst Rugby Club across the Georges River before they became their own entity in 1967.
Sylvania’s home ground at A.R. Hurst Reserve was donated to Sutherland Shire Council more than 50 years ago at the request of the Hurst family. The Sylvania Bulldogs Junior Rugby Club was founded by former members of the Easts Rugby Club, who decided to move south to the Sutherland Shire soon after.
That connection lives on through the Bulldog’s red, white and blue club colours, which have remained unchanged since the club’s formation.
Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce also attended and passed on his congratulations.
“50 years is an amazing achievement by any measure,” he said.
“We are proud to recognise the heritage and success of the Sylvania Bulldogs in today’s celebrations alongside the NSW Waratahs.
“It’s my pleasure to welcome these great sportsmen from the NSW Waratahs to the Sutherland Shire. I’m sure they can impart some wisdom here today that will see some of these young rugby stars of ours wearing that famous Waratahs blue one day.
“Council is proud to have been able to assist the Sylvania Bulldogs consistently over the past five decades.”