SPARTANS NEWS FLASH!

SPARTANS COURSES LAUNCH IN THIS JUNE

Great news! Spartans Rugby Club’s First Aid Courses are now officially open for business, with the club now taking Expressions of Interest from members and the wider veteran community.

Applicants are invited to apply online, with successful applicants being notified in due course once applications have been reviewed.

The initial course will be conducted in Toowoomba, Queensland, however we expect additional courses to be rolled out further afield as the program continues to develop and expand.

These courses form part of the Spartans’ ongoing commitment to supporting veterans and the wider community through qualifications, development opportunities, and engagement through the platform of rugby.

If you are interested in getting involved, now is the time to put your hand up and submit your Expression of Interest to the club.

SPARTANS TURNING HEADS AT THE INTER SERVICE CHAMPIONSHIP

 As part of our continued growth and engagement within the Defence and rugby communities, members of the Spartans Rugby Club recently attended, at the invitation of Australian Defence Force Rugby, the final round of matches at the Inter-Service Championships held at GPS Rugby Club in Brisbane.

Throughout the day, members of the Spartans were on hand showcasing what our club stands for, our aims and objectives, and where we see the organisation progressing into the future as we continue to support veterans and serving members through rugby, camaraderie, qualifications, and community engagement.

The club attracted significant attention across the event, leading to a number of meaningful and positive engagements ranging from discussions with potential donors and supporters through to future cooperative opportunities with ADF Rugby itself.

It was an outstanding opportunity to further strengthen relationships within the Defence rugby network, promote veteran wellbeing through sport, and continue building momentum behind the Spartans vision of “For Veterans, By Veterans.”

We would like to thank Australian Defence Force Rugby and GPS Rugby Club for their hospitality and support throughout the day.

PUTTING US ON THE INTERSERVICES MAP 

 The Spartans Rugby Club would like to sincerely thank the Royal Australian Airforce Rugby Union teams for hosting us last night for a fantastic meet and greet.

With the Air Force team currently preparing for the upcoming Inter-Service Championships, we were extremely grateful that they took time out of their training schedule to sit down with Spartans Head of Coaching, Gus O’Neill.

Gus was able to outline the foundations of who we are as a club, what we stand for. Emphasis of “For Veterans By Veterans” being our key, and that all serving Air Force members are future veterans, who right who can integrate into the Spartans Rugby community before they seperate from Defence. 

It was a great evening of connection, new friendships, and shared rugby values. Having already had Air Force members represent the Spartans in Fools Fest and ANZAC Day, we were truly privileged and honoured to be included in the team’s preparation.

We wish the Royal Australian Air Force Rugby Union teams all the very best for the Inter-Service Championships
 

THE SPARTANS V TOOWOOMBA BEARS XV 

 In a fitting contest for such a significant occasion, the Spartans Rugby Club secured a hard-fought 7–5 victory over the Toowoomba Bears in their ANZAC Day Charity Match, showcasing resilience, discipline, and unwavering determination.

The opening half belonged largely to the Bears, who controlled possession and territory, applying sustained pressure on the Spartans’ defensive line. Despite repeated defensive efforts, the Spartans were eventually undone by a moment of individual brilliance, with a Bears player slicing through to score a well-taken try. Heading into halftime, the Bears held a deserved 5–0 lead, while the Spartans regrouped knowing they had work to do.

The second half saw a marked shift in momentum. While possession remained a challenge, the Spartans began to assert themselves physically, particularly through the forward pack. Building phases and applying pressure, they gradually forced errors from the Bears, especially deep in their defensive third. That pressure paid off when a rushed clearance from the Bears’ back three was charged down, allowing the Spartans to pounce and score. The successful conversion edged them ahead 7–5.

From there, the match turned into a tense, end-to-end battle. The Bears mounted several strong attacking opportunities, pushing deep into the Spartans’ 22 on multiple occasions. However, handling errors at crucial moments—knock-ons and dropped balls over the line—denied them the chance to reclaim the lead.

The Spartans’ defence held firm under immense pressure in the closing stages, showing grit and composure to repel the Bears’ advances. As the final whistle blew, it was the Spartans who emerged victorious in a contest defined by effort, resilience, and respect for the occasion.

A hard-earned win, and a performance that reflected the spirit of ANZAC Day—courage, mateship, and endurance
 

SPARTANS ANZAC CHALLENGE REPLICA JERSEY

Own a piece of history from our epic 7–5 battle against the Toowoomba Bears on ANZAC Day. This isn’t just a jersey — it’s a tribute to those we honoured, and a symbol of what it means to be a Spartan.

Head over to our RAKA page and secure yours now.

Limited availability. Don’t miss out, and click below.
 

THE SPARTANS LAUNCH THEIR SEASON IN STYLE!

 History was made in Canberra as the Spartans Defence Veterans Rugby Club took to the field for the very first time at the ACT Fools Festival.

Across a huge day of rugby, the Spartans played four matches — securing two hard-fought wins and two narrow defeats — in what proved to be a powerful debut for the club. More importantly, the day saw a host of new players pull on the green and gold for the first time, strengthening the ranks of a club built for veterans.

In a fitting recognition of the Spartans spirit and values, the team was proudly awarded the Cosgrove Shield for Sportsmanship, a testament to the respect, camaraderie and professionalism shown both on and off the field. The club was also honoured to host supporters and partners from the Veterans Comp Association, who joined the Spartans to witness this historic moment.

The Spartans have arrived — and there’s no going back now.  

THE SPARTANS LEVEL 1 SPORTS TRAINER COURSES

Going live in winter 2026 the Spartans will be hosting Level 1 Sports Trainer Courses. After an initial Pilot Course, if successful further courses would be added to our programme. We are looking for around 10-15 students for our first pilot course. Location TBC, most likely SEQLD, Sydney or Canberra, subject to interest and availability. To be eligible, you need to be a veteran, or serving member, and registered under Rugby Xplorer to the Spartans Rugby Club. The cost for the course is TBC, subject to the size. For more information, click below to register an interest now via our application page for courses.