Congratulations to Darcy Breen, Bruce Lin and Scott Fraser who received University Blue and Gold awards in 2020.
The Blue is the highest sporting honour at University. It is earned by sportsmen and women who are studying at the University of Sydney, competing in the highest level of their sporting competition, and have attained outstanding achievement, Rugby’s 2020 recipient is Darcy Breen.
The 20-year-old Prop who is studying a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Studies, played his first year of senior rugby in 2020, making his 1st Grade debut during Round 1, and going on to play in all 13 1st Grade matches.
Darcy is part of the NSW Waratahs extended squad and represented Australia A against Argentina in 2020. Congratulations to Darcy who he are sure has a long and exciting career ahead of him.
Golds are awarded to individuals who have provided outstanding service in the field of sports administration within Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness (SUSF) or one of its clubs. The 2020 rugby recipients were Bruce Lin and Scott Fraser.
After hanging up the boots, Bruce assisted his former team UNSW 1st Grade with managing and training duties. In 2001, he saw the light and came across to SUFC, initially as a trainer for 2nd Grade. This then led to assisting as Team Manager, alternating between 3rd Grade and 2nd Grade for many seasons.
In 2011, SUFC required a new scribe to produce the weekly match reports as long-term writer Graham Croker retired. Not a journalist but armed with a post-graduate qualification in Communication-Journalism from UTS under his belt, filling this void of match day writer was happily taken on board. Write ups are never rude but will portray the match of the day under a different perspective. Where in the world does a rugby report introduce Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un annually? Or a word so obscure you would have to consult a Professor of English literature for its meaning. Nothing is off limits as praise, gossip, cheek, humour, satire and just a hint of sarcasm is included. It is a University rugby club so life would be boring if there was no alternate spin to a story!
Coupled with the weekly writing, Bruce is entrusted with the 2nd Grade Assistant Referee duties. A necessary job that requires a thick skin with prolific banter from players, officials and supporters directed his way.
Scotty first became involved with SUFC in 1976 when he conducted a training program for members of the end of season touring team. The team had great success and came home undefeated, Scott carried out a similar role in 1978.
In 1979, 1st Grade Head Coach at the time, Rupert Rosenblum requested that Scott run fitness sessions prior to club training. This led to Scott running conditioning sessions prior to rugby training on No.1 Oval for club players one night per week for several years.
It wasn’t until 2001 that we saw Scott back at SUFC, when he teamed up with his former colleague Bruce Lin to manage the 2nd Grade team. After one match as a spectator, Scott was convinced, and he has been a Team Manager for SUFC ever since. From 2001-2005 he managed 2nd Grade, 2006 he was the sole 1st Grade manager, from 2007-2017 he again managed 2nd Grade and for the past 4 seasons (2017-2020) he has been assisting with 1st Grade.
Anyone who knows Scotty, knows he is an avid supporter of the Club, not only do our players and coaches get his assistance with game day prep, but he can also provide everyone with entertaining stories and facts on any player who has ever pulled on the Blue and Gold jersey over the years!
Congratulations and our sincere thanks go to both Bruce and Scott for their commitment and support of SUFC over so many years.
Unfortuantely due to COVID there was no Blues Awards dinner for the 2020 recipients, however they will be celebrated at the 2021 edition later this year.