Like father like son - mini Masters are rugby nuts!

As the HSBC Waratahs’ Athletic Development Manager and a former Manly Roos flanker, Haydn is looking forward to an afternoon on the sidelines with his rugby-mad sons Sullivan (six) and Reuben (three), with mum Erin and one-year-old Melba keen to leave them to it!

 

Responsible for the training programs for all the HSBC Waratahs players, this time of year is a busy one for Haydn and the rest of the team, as they manage the differing needs of their Wallaby contingent, their Shute Shield club players and those recovering from injury or just putting the training in ready for next season. 

 

Overall, the focus for the next few months is on developing individual training plans that help get every player ready for the demands of next season.  Whether it’s from training or playing in the Rugby Championship or Shute Shield, all the players will then enjoy a short rest before all 30 members of the 2013 HSBC Waratahs squad get back together in mid-October, ready for pre-season.

 

He may be at least a decade younger than the rest of the players his dad works with, but that doesn’t stop six-year-old Sullivan from impressing his dad on the rugby pitch.

 

At a recent game for the Manly Roos, Sullivan showed the opposition a clean pair of heels with a perfectly executed in and away to find the tryline! 

Watch Sullivan in action on TahTV. 

Their passion for rugby doesn’t stop with playing, with both boys massive fans of the Waratahs.  “Their heroes are Dave Dennis, Tatafu, Wycliff and Tom Carter,” says dad Haydn.  Thanks to their dad, Sullivan is the envy of his Under 6s Blues team mates, having joined his heroes in the dressing room after several of last year’s home matches, with Dave even invited to his sixth birthday party.

 

Sullivan and the rest of the team will get to meet Wycliff and Dave this Saturday, with both players heading to the Blues under 6s presentation.  There may be another chance to meet Wycliff –a fellow Manly player - on Sunday.  Unlike Tatafu Polota-Nau, who will join the rest of the Wallabies on a plane to Perth on Sunday afternoon, injured Number 8 and his toddler Muti could also be spending Father’s Day at the rugby.

 

“The boys love it,” said Haydn.  “They watch the footy, run around with all their Manly Roos mates and join all the dads for the sausage sizzle.”

 

Needing a win at the weekend against rivals Parramatta to progress to the Shute Shield semi finals, the Manly team will feature two HSBC Waratahs players in lock Greg Peterson and No. 8 Tevita Metuisela, another one of the eight dads in the current NSW squad.

 

But does Haydn think there’s any Super Rugby stars of the future running around in the under 6s?  “Sullivan certainly has far more skills and ability than I ever had – I think it’s down to his mum!

 

“His grandad played rugby league for Balmain Tigers so I leave the technical tips to him and stick to encouraging him on how to pass the ball, sportsmanship and playing as a team and having fun.”

 
Membership - the perfect Father's Day gift...
An HSBC Waratahs membership is the perfect Father’s Day present for every rugby-supporting dad.  With a new 9 Game Membership now on sale, you can treat your dad to a ticket to see the British & Irish Lions take on the HSBC Waratahs as well as all the home Super Rugby action in 2013.  And with supporter memberships starting at just $40, there’s something for every budget, from pocket money to the ultimate gift for the best dad in the world. Click here for more information on 2013 membership packages.