As the Northern Territory Rugby Union celebrates its 50th year in 2026, we acknowledge and recognise the individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the growth, development and success of rugby in the Territory over the past five decades.
The people recognised within this list have helped shape rugby in the Northern Territory both on and off the field. Their contributions span generations and include players, coaches, referees, administrators, volunteers, officials and supporters who have dedicated significant time, energy and passion to the game across Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, Gove and regional communities.
Territory rugby has always relied heavily on the commitment of individuals willing to contribute beyond expectation. Whether through leadership, service, participation, development of players, governance, event delivery, facility support or advocacy for the game, these contributors have played an important role in building and sustaining rugby union in the Northern Territory.
The NTRU 50-year milestone provides an important opportunity to formally recognise and celebrate those whose efforts have left a lasting impact on the rugby community and helped create opportunities for future generations.
It is important to note that current Northern Territory Rugby Union Life Members have not been included within this recognition, as their contributions have already been formally acknowledged through the awarding of Life Membership — the organisation’s highest honour.
On behalf of the Northern Territory Rugby Union, we thank all recognised contributors for their dedication, service and commitment to rugby in the Territory over the past 50 years.
Ben & Selina did a huge amount for Palmerston over many years, player, President, Junior Coordination, Ben represented for NT Schools plus the Mosquitoes. Ben & Selina were named the HSBC Rugby Australia Volunteer of the Year in 2019.
Although Kathy was an employee of the NTRU forever, she also put in huge amounts of unpaid overtime to keep things turning over. Many will remember her being a fixture behind the bar at Skyring Rugby Park. For about 25 years or so.
Bernie is credited with being one of the founding fathers of rugby in the NT. Following on from that he coached for many years at Palmerston and with the NT Schoolboys team plus was involved in club administration.
Robbie was an outstanding junior rugby player on went on to be an outstanding senior rugby player. His career would be close to 25 years. Besides playing he has been very active in coaching and development, primarily juniors and at representative levels but also, at club level.
Clive was there at South Darwin in the beginning of rugby and is still here today helping out when and wherever he can.
James was a driving force at South Darwin as an administrator, player and sponsor while also coordinating the Mozzies 7s and Summer of 7s programs for NT Rugby from 2017 to 2020. He continues to support Souths despite living interstate.
If there had not been a Phil Devine there would not have been a Jabiru Bushratz. Phil did everything that needed to be done to get and keep a team on the paddock for many, many years.
Ben represented the Mosquitoes, 35 times over a period of 6 years, with 30 as Captain. This included as Captain of the Aussie-Mozzies (combined Wallabies & NT side) in their win over Samoa in 2005. He played in excess of 100 A-Grade games for Palmerston and during his time winning a Premiership and was also named Club Person of the Year for Palmerston in 2006.
Maureen was a driving force for many years with junior rugby at both the NTRU and Palmerston club level.
University and Mosquitoes prop forward who spent many years leading and driving the University club.
Digby started life as a player with the Bayside club but quickly moved into refereeing and sports medicine where he excelled at both for a very long time.
Mark is another who served at both NTRU and club levels for extended periods. He was the driving force at Casuarina during some difficult times and kept the club moving forward.
Long term player and administrator at Swampdogs as well as being a very good referee for an extended period.
Jacko, as he was affectionately known, was busy in all areas of the game and across multiple clubs as well as representative teams. There isn’t much that Jacko didn’t do during his years in rugby.
Wayne is a long term player, coach and administrator at the Darwin Dragons including stints in representative coaching.
Like many others Bruce was active in many areas of our game, playing and coaching, at both club and representative levels before moving into the business world with the Rugby Shop. He was also busy for many years organising European school sides to visit Darwin to play local junior and schoolboy sides as part of their Australian tours. This was a great experience for the families and players who billeted the teams.
Graeme and Annette were stalwarts of the Casuarina club during the 1980’s and 90’s. They were busy doing everything that needed to be done to get and keep junior and senior teams on the field.
Shelley played a leading role in the establishment of women’s rugby in the NT in the early 1990s. She coached at club, territory and national levels, represented the NT on national committees and was a selector for the first Wallaroos team in 1994.
Evan has been a stalwart of the South Darwin club forever doing everything from playing, coaching and administration for over 20 years. He has also represented the Mosquitoes on many occasions.
Sarah’s fortes are in sports medicine and administration / management. And she has been doing them very successfully for about 20 years at club, schools and representative levels.
Alan joined the Darwin Dragons in 1979 and went on to win the A Grade Best & Fairest award in that season and again in the 1982/83 season. He represented the Mosquitoes for 6 years before moving into club administration and junior coaching / administration with the Dragons. Robyn too was active in everything that needed to be done to keep the club running.
Guy played with the Bayside club and was active in club administration (including when they decided to shutdown). He then went on to completely reorganise and develop the NTRU judiciary processes into the approach still used today.
Chandra was recruited into NTRU activities when the Mosquitoes were planning to tour Sri Lanka. He then continued overseeing the referee ranks and introduced professional activities such as mentoring, review sessions and coaching.
Alison was the organiser of the Palmerston junior teams for many years including the coaching of teams. When Snogga’s work took him to Nhulunbuy, Alison got involved in East Arnhem rugby including junior coaching, team management and administration activities.
Robbie is another who has done it all in NT rugby. From playing, club level junior coaching through into representative coaching and team management and refereeing for what seems like ever. In my mind though his greatest achievement has been introducing the processes to recruit young players into the referee ranks and supporting them to continue the refereeing journey.
Drew was a major contributor on and off the field with the Jabiru Bushratz but became everyone’s mate through his organising and management of social touring teams, introducing many to this enjoyable side of the game.
Puru was a tough player for the Darwin Dragons but also did a huge amount for the club for many years through coaching at both senior and junior levels and club administration.
Matt has been a mainstay of the Central Australia rugby community for over 20 years. He started as a player then moved into refereeing and has been the leading match official in Alice Springs for many, many years.
Kim is Katherine based and was enormous in senior, schools and junior rugby for many years at both the Katherine and NTRU levels.
Leith spent many years coordinating the Casuarina junior teams, spent near 8 years on the NTRU Board but is probably best known for her nonstop efforts up and down the sideline taking photos of the rugby action.