Barney - the Man the Legend

Barney: A Rugby Life in Motion - Archaic History

.. or is it Chaotic !

Is it Time …….

Love the Game, its been in my blood, or I have shed blood for the game since playing for the

Narrabeen Tigers under 7’s way back in …. yes 1970.  That may be 55 Years ago!!

Playing in the shadows of the Mighty Flannel Flowers (Lets see who knows who they became).

Aspiring one day to wear the Green and White of the peninsular!

How it unfolded ….

The Early Years (1970-1988)

Barney's love affair with rugby began at just five years old in 1970, when he first laced up his

boots for the Narrabeen Tigers under 7's on the Northern Peninsular of Sydney. It was the start of something extraordinary. Over the next eleven years, from age 5 to 16, Barney dominated junior rugby Well his team did --), collecting an impressive seven premierships with the Tigers—a foundation that would shape a lifetime on the field.

At 16, Barney transitioned to colts rugby with the Flannel Flowers, (Who are they?) where he honed his skills for two seasons before stepping up to the senior ranks.

University and the Wandering Years (1988-1993)

Barney's senior union career kicked off at Newcastle University, where he played hooker for one season. But the call of adventure proved irresistible. For the next two years, Barney became rugby's ultimate nomad, travelling around Australia and playing for any team that would have him—Bayswater in Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Mount Tamborine, and Bangalow. Each town, each team, each scrum added another chapter to his growing rugby story.

Building a Legacy in Sydney (1993-1998)

Returning to Sydney, Barney didn't just join a team—he helped create one. He co-founded the Narrabeen Tigers, ins the Sydney Subbies comp and when moved West for work joined up with the Hill Subbies.

The draw of the Peninsular however saw a return to the Beaches and a love affair with the

Newport Breakers ensued. Running up to 5 teams on the field per home game the temptation to be at the ground with the boots at 9am for a 3pm game was just too tempting, 2 – 3 games a day became the ritual.

The Global Game (1998-2018)

Around 1998, Barney's career took him international. Working for a company that sent him

overseas frequently, he turned every posting into a rugby opportunity. His passport became a

collection of rugby stamps: a season in Sochi, Russia, a season in France, and two years in

Macau—where he earned the ultimate honour, playing two international matches for Macau

against Hong Kong.

Settling in Hong Kong for a great deal of this time barney become the only non Police player in Hong Kong Police side in the 1st division competition, with the wider HK community assuming he was part of the SAS squad of guys in the team that seem to just disappear at times. Even while playing overseas, Barney's commitment to home never wavered. Whenever he returned to Australia, he'd pull on the jersey for the Newport Breakers, spent three years with Terrey Hills Subbies, and racked up an astounding 250 games for the Newport Breakers—serving as club president for two years along the way.

The Triathlon Interlude (2008-2009)

In 2008, believe it or not, Barney took a year off rugby. But rest isn't in his vocabulary. He threw himself into triathlons, training so hard he made the Australian sprint triathlon team for the over-45s category. He competed in Vancouver and finished 16th in the world—proof that his athletic excellence extended far beyond the rugby pitch.

Byron Bay and Beyond (2009-2016)

The rugby pull proved too strong. Barney moved to Byron Bay and joined Bangalow, playing 100 games for the club while still travelling overseas—where he notched another 100 games for Hong Kong.

In 2015, Barney relocated to Wauchope, though he initially continued playing for Bangalow. In 2016, he finally joined his local club, the Wauchope Thunder, bringing decades of experience and passion to the team.

The Year We Don't Speak Of:

Somewhere in this journey, there was a season when Barney won the comp for the Pirates. We do not speak of this year.

The Golden Years (2016-Present)

Even now, Barney continues to play on and off for the Newport Golden Oldies, proving that rugby isn't just a sport—it's a way of life.

The Numbers

Over a career spanning more than four decades and four continents, Barney has played

approximately 1,500 senior games—a testament to his enduring love for rugby, his remarkable fitness, and his unwavering commitment to the game. From a five-year-old at the Narrabeen Tigers to a Golden Oldie still running onto the field for the Thunder, Barney's rugby career isn't just a biography—it's a legend.

“Its an Honour Not a Right ……”

“ Cross that line and you make a commitment, a commitment to Yourself, a commitment to

your Supporters, a Commitment to your Club and a Commitment to your Team …”