SPARTANS NEWS FLASH!

SPARTANS TO PLAY ON THE WORLD STAGE? 

   The World Deaf Rugby 7s Championships are heading to Japan this October, and there is an opportunity to represent them there!

The Australian Barbarians Deaf Rugby Teams are currently seeking:
3 x Men's players
1 x Women's player

If you're a member or supporter of the Spartans – Defence Veterans Rugby Club, and you have a hearing impairment or hearing loss and are still playing (or capable of playing) rugby sevens, we have been offered a truly incredible opportunity.

Representing Australia on the world stage is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we'd love to see Spartans represented in Japan as part of the greater Australian team.

If you think you may be eligible, or would simply like to find out more, contact the Spartans as soon as possible. We'll help determine your eligibility and put you in touch with the right people.

This is an outstanding opportunity to represent Australia, meet players from around the world, and be part of one of the biggest events in international deaf rugby.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Get in touch with the Spartans 

SPARTANS RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF NAIDOC WEEK

  As Australia marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week, the Spartans Rugby Club, a club built on respect for all Veterans of Defence, acknowledge all First Nations service men and women, past and present, and support the sharing of their stories so they are remembered for generations to come 

ALL THE NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPARTAN'S WORLD

  Packed with exciting updates, exclusive club news, player spotlights, upcoming events, and all the latest from the Spartans Rugby Club, the July Online Magazine is now live! From our growing veterans’ programs and training opportunities to tour updates, partnerships, and what’s ahead for the club, this edition is full of important information for players, supporters, and the wider Spartans family. Don’t miss your chance to stay up to date with everything happening as the Spartans continue to build momentum across Australia and beyond. Check it out now! 

SPARTANS SUMMER PARTY SEVENS LOCKED IN FOR NOVEMBER

 The Spartans Rugby Club are proud to be co-hosting the Toowoomba Sevens on 7 November, alongside the Toowoomba Rangers Rugby Club, in what promises to be one of the biggest rugby events in the Darling Downs this year. Bringing together men’s and women’s teams, community spirit, and veterans rugby, the event will also feature the annual Brett Forte Cup charity match, making it a huge day of rugby, remembrance, and support for great causes. Lock the date in now — this is one you won’t want to miss! 

SPARTANS SPORTS TRAINER COURSES GO LIVE THIS AUGUST

The Spartans Rugby Club are proud to announce our next Level 1 Sports Trainer Course, commencing 29 August in Toowoomba. This is a fantastic opportunity for club members to gain nationally recognised skills in sports medicine, injury management, and player welfare, while continuing our mission of supporting veterans through qualifications and development pathways. Club members are invited to apply now and take the next step in becoming an accredited trainer. Limited places available - don’t miss out!

SCRUMS, SCONES & ANZACS 2027

ALL SET FOR NEXT YEAR!

It's official. The Spartans Rugby Club's United Kingdom Tour is now locked in and ready to go for April–May 2027.

What promises to be the trip of a lifetime will see our players and staff travel across England and Scotland, proudly representing Australian veterans rugby on the international stage while honouring the ANZAC legacy overseas.

The tour will begin in London, where the Spartans will participate in the ANZAC Day commemorations before taking to the field against a UK Forces Veterans side as part of the historic Army v Navy weekend. Playing as a curtain raiser during one of the biggest events in the British military sporting calendar will be a truly special occasion for everyone involved.

From London, the tour heads north to the historic city of York, where the Spartans will take on a specially assembled Yorkshire Barbarians side under lights in what promises to be an unforgettable midweek clash.

The final chapter of the tour will see the team travel to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, where we will round out the campaign against the Scottish Prison Service in what is shaping up to be an epic finale.

For our players, supporters and veterans, this tour is about much more than rugby. It is about remembrance, camaraderie, friendship, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The fixtures are confirmed.
The destinations are locked in.
The countdown has begun.

Now comes the hard work - preparing the squad, building the team, and making sure every detail is in place for what will be one of the biggest milestones in Spartans Rugby history.

ONLY A 100 DAYS TILL WE HIT THE PADDOCK AGAIN!

  The Spartans Rugby Club will return to the field on 26 September as we head south to compete in the prestigious Bathurst Rugby Festival.

With one of the biggest turnouts of the year expected, the team is preparing to once again showcase what Spartans rugby is all about—mateship, resilience, veteran spirit, and quality rugby.

After making a strong impression throughout 2026, the Spartans are looking to turn heads once again at one of New South Wales' premier Old Boys rugby events. Bringing together teams from across the region, the Bathurst Rugby Festival promises a fantastic day of competition, camaraderie, and rugby tradition.

Whether you're travelling with the team, supporting from afar, or following the action online, this is one event you won't want to miss.

SPARTANS LAUNCH THERE FIRST ONLINE MAGAZINE

 Welcome to the Spartans Online Magazine – your one-stop source for everything happening across the club. 

Designed to keep all our members informed, connected, and engaged, each edition will bring you the latest club news, upcoming fixtures, event updates, player stories, course opportunities, tour information, sponsor highlights, and much more. 

Not everyone spends their time on social media, so this magazine ensures that wherever you are in Australia, you can stay up to date with the continued growth and success of the Spartans. Published every month, we hope you enjoy it and look forward to sharing our journey with you throughout the year. 

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.

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
 

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.