Club History

For over sixty years, the Roos have played a prominent part in the development of young men and rugby players in Manly and the surrounding areas.

We didn’t really get off to a flying start. The club in fact kicked its first year off in 1961 as the Wallaroos: known to some in Manly at the time as Wal’s Warriors.

On the table at the first annual general meeting held in February 1962, was a letter of demand from the NSW Rugby Union; the club had to change its name because there was already a Wallaroos in the eastern suburbs.

So, we became the Warringaroos, a name which to some became a burden when the Warringah senior club became a second division reality two or three years later.

The newly-elected officials were anxious to keep the red Kangaroo emblem, and also to attract players from more than one suburb, as in the Seaforth Pirates and Manly Vikings.

Those same officials also pledged their continued allegiance to the senior club,Manly Blues, now of course Manly Marlins. It was a pledge that has worked successfully until this day, with Roos products ever-present throughout Manly grades.

The first Roos team onto the field was in an under 9s game against Collaroy Plateau later in March 1962; the under 10s had a first round bye; the under 12s met Balgowlah at our home ground, District Park; the under 14s met St Matthews at Kierle Park.

The Roos had 72 boys registered in 1962, a terrific start to what was to become a wonderful club. A tribute to those men of vision: the first Patron Mr J Buckley,President B Spencer, Secretary R Gill, and Treasurer B Enright. These are the gentlemen we quietly toasted at the 50th anniversary lunch on 25 July 2012, and are among the officials remembered on the Roos Honour Board.

In 2012, we celebrated our 6th Wallaby when Michael Hooper took the field against Wales. In 2021, Hooper surpassed George Gregan’s record for the most caps as Wallabies captain, 60.
Our most recent Wallaby, Lakakai Foketi made his debut in 2022 is often seen at Keirle Park inspiring the next generation of young rugby players or helping out at the Club Bbq.  The Roos have provided SuperRugby players and countless others who have played grade rugby in the NSW competition. These great players and our magnificent Manly Marlins are remembered on the Roos Honour Board.