Nathaniel “Shorty” Ward recently played his 200th game for the Wakehurst U15 team in a game against Lane Cove, LCJRU. It was a great achievement and a fantastic day for Shorty, his family and the Wakehurst Club.
Shorty has been playing since he was 4 years old. He plays up a year and has done so since the U6s and mixes it well with the big boys. For many years Shorty would play 2 games a weekend playing one in his age group and the second for the current U15s team. Shorty is a tremendously loyal young bloke and has been awarded the Brett Jacobson Award for Clubman of the year, which is the club’s most sought after award.
It was a see-sawing game with Lane Cove starting well, scoring 3 tries in 10 minutes before Wakehurst woke up and started playing rugby. The game was played in great spirit with both teams playing good open rugby in a hard, but fair manner. The 2 teams played a tight affair with Wakehurst running out eventual winners 36-27.
We invited Lane Cove back to the clubhouse for a party after the game. Lane Cove were exceptional guests and gave Shorty a Lane Cove t-shirt signed by their team. Shorty was presented with an “extra special” 200 game Wakehurst hoodie!
There were 40 pizzas to share between both teams and parents, lots of garlic bread and soft drink for the boys to celebrate the occasion. It was a great feast and the boys ate until they were too full. Thank you again to Lane Cove who made the day like a celebration of rugby and did their club proud with their exceptional behaviour.
Well Done to Shorty, you are a great teammate, a fantastic rugby player and a fine example of the type of person that Wakehurst produces. You have done the club proud!
Dave Cleary
Wakehurst President
