Round 3 of the Senior Men’s Competition marks the annual ANZAC Round, celebrating the rich history of rugby union within the services, driving community connections and uniting Australians.
With ANZAC Day falling on Friday, 25 April, ANZAC Round will be celebrated the following day, on April 26. With a long connection to the services, two clubs, Southern Lions and Perth Bayswater will be hosting special ANZAC celebrations, to honour the memory and sacrifice of the ANZACs.
In the Fortescue Premier Grade, Perth Bayswater will be facing off against Wests Scarborough, following the club’s annual ANZAC ceremony. 2025 marks the fourth year the club has hosted ANZAC Round, working with the local RSL to recognise the ANZAC spirit.
“This day is such a fit between Australia, New Zealand and rugby union, which means a great deal to our Club,” club member, Darrell Stops, said. “This is something the Club is very proud of.”
For Perth Bayswater, the event is about more than just rugby – it's about the whole community. In addition to providing activities for all family members down at the club, members of the Bassendean RSL will be involved in the ceremony for the second year in a row, and will speak on their experiences and what the day means to them.
It’s also an opportunity to reach all members of the club, with junior players forming a Guard of Honour for players and officials, and the Ceremony Flag Bearers being members of Perth Bayswater’s All Abilities team. Continuing with tradition from previous years, Match Officials and players from the Away club, Wests Scarborough, will also be included in the ceremony.
The Ceremony will commence at 3:15PM, prior to the Fortescue Premier Grade match, which will be streamed live on Stan from 3:40PM.
Down at Southern Lions, it will be a South of the River derby for the club’s first ANZAC Round celebration. With many of the club’s members being former Defence personnel, or having strong ties to companies around Henderson and Naval Base, the club will honour veterans and members of the Defence community with commemorative proceedings and an ANZAC jersey.
Whilst at the centre of the day are the Third Grade, Reserve Grade and Fortescue Premier Grade matches, the event also provides an opportunity to highlight the community, with family-friendly activities, including face-painting and bouncy castles, an All Abilities exhibition match, and an ANZAC Ceremony prior to the Fortescue Premier Grade kick off. Representatives from the City of Cockburn, Cockburn RSL, Australian Submarine Force and Government MP’s will also be involved in the celebrations.
Players from Southern Lions’ Premier Grade side will also be donning commemorative ANZAC jerseys, featuring both the Australian and New Zealand flags, the symbolic poppies, and the silhouette of an ANZAC. One of these jerseys will be auctioned off by the club following the match, with proceeds going to the All Abilities program, and their trip to New Zealand later in the year.
Celebrations at Southern Lions commence from 12:30PM.
RugbyWA would like to pay our respects to all service men and women of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, past and present, and all who have lost their lives on the frontlines. Lest we forget.
