Western Sydney Rams

Western Sydney Rams

Union	Australian Rugby Union
Founded	2007
Location	Western Sydney, Australia
Ground(s)	Parramatta Stadium (Capacity: 20,000[1])
Coach(es)	Brian Melrose
Captain(s)	Ben Hand
League(s)	Australian Rugby Championship
2007	Semi-Finalist
Team kit
Union website
www.westernsydneyrams.com.au

The Western Sydney Rams were an Australian rugby union football club that played in the now defunct Australian Rugby Championship. The Rams were formed as one of New South Wales' three clubs that participated in the inaugural and only season of the championship, in 2007. The team were based out of the Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta. The team colours were orange and blue. Their local team rivals are the Sydney Fleet and the Central Coast Rays. The Rams were the minor premiers of the 2007 ARC season. The Rams were knocked out of the 2007 finals by the Melbourne Rebels at the semi-final stage.

History

The inaugural Australian Rugby Championship included eight teams of which three of which were based in the state of New South Wales. A team in Western Sydney was always likely, and before specific names and colours were unveiled, the locations of the three New South Wales' teams were revealed, one of which was a Western Sydney team to play out of Parramatta. The name, logo and team colours were officially unveiled 20 March 2007 by the New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU).^[2]

As well as the team location and stadium, the coaching set up was also announced prior to the unveiling of the Rams' name, logo and colours. In January 2006, the NSWRU announced that Brian Melrose as the head coach for the inaugural season.^[3] Melrose has in the past been assistant coach to the Waratahs and is also involved with Manly and the Australian Sevens team.^[3] He has also played with Eastwood and Parramatta.^[3]

Colours and logo

The colours, logo and name of the Rams' was officially unveiled at the team launch on 20 March 2007. The inspiration for the name Rams derives from the pioneering past of Western Sydney – in respect to the history of settlers starting Australian sheep and wool industries in Parramatta.^[2] The team launch took place at Old Government House, Parramatta – a National Trust location which is also near the Rams' stadium. The NSWRU Chief Executive Officer said of the location; "History is being created in the Australian Rugby Championship and it’s fitting in doing so we pay tribute to our past, Old Government House is Australia’s oldest public building and it provides a strong foundation upon which to launch a new team.".^[2] Inaugural head coach Melrose described the name as a strong front for the team.^[2] The Rams were the last of three NSW-based teams to be officially launched for the ARC championship. The Rams' team colours consist of orange and blue which mirror the colours of Parramatta City Council.

Stadium

Main article Parramatta Stadium

The Rams played at Parramatta Stadium – home of the National Rugby League club Parramatta Eels. The current stadium was built in 1985, and at present has an all-seater capacity of 20,000. Prior to Parramatta Stadium, Cumberland Oval existed on the grounds from 1847 to 1981. Cumberland Oval was burnt down after the Parramatta Eels won their first of 3 consecutive grand finals 1981, 1982, 1983, by a mob of drunken Eels fans. Rugby union was first played at Cumberland Oval in 1879, through to 1939. The construction of Parramatta Stadium began in the early 1980s, and the new stadium was opened in 1986.

Franchise area

New South Wales' three teams in the ARC were aligned with existing clubs and regions. The New South Wales clubs aligned with the Western Sydney Rams were Eastwood, West Harbour, Parramatta and Penrith, who all compete in the Tooheys New Cup and Shute Shield club competitions.

Current squad

Records

Head coaches

• Brian Melrose (2007 -)

Captain

Ben Hand

See also

• New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU)
• New South Wales Waratahs
• Tooheys New Cup
• Shute Shield

References

External links

• ARC on NSW Rugby
• Australian Rugby Championship on rugby.com.au