Norths had a broad range of players in the 80 to 1985 era who went on to make a mark in rugby either nationally or in the ACT.
The 2 Norths juniors who burst onto the ACT rugby scene together were Brad Girvan and Ian Vest.Brad Girvan was a blockbusting centre who played for ACT for many years.
Brad pulled on the boots for Australia Under 21s and the Wallabies. Brad was also Captain of the ACT team.
The Vest name Is synonymous with rugby in the ACT and Ian Vest is one of 3 brothers (all sons of Bert Vest) who played for Norths.
Ian was an extraordinary number 10 who renowned for making things happen in a game and was an extremely accomplished goal kicker. Ian moved to Sydney and played for Warringah (129 first grade games) and NSW before moving to play rugby in Italy.
Both Brad and Ian had a key role in the ACT defeat of Argentina in 1982.Greg Langford was known in the club as BP – The Quiet Achiever (a reference to a petrol ad at the time).
Greg played many seasons for the club and won numerous best and fairest first Grade player awards.
Greg was a solid, fast flanker who commanded respect from all the teams he played against. Greg was also a Norths junior coming into seniors through the Northbourne Lions.
Russell Ingram came to the club in the early 80s and set about claiming a position as 1st Grade fullback/wing.
Russell (a club Life Member) has spent many years coaching junior rep teams, club sides (including opposition) and worked for the Brumbies improving the profile and player base of rugby in the region. He is now back where he belongs with the OWLS as a Coaching Director.
Watson Blaikie arrived at the Norths club in 1984 following a season at UC Killer Bees. Prior to this Watson played for University of Queensland. Watson immediately had an impact on the club as his lineout ability (at No2 in the pre lifting era) was game changing.
He was a great competitor and tourist and greatly enjoyed his 1986 Norths tour to Europe.
Watson has gone onto manage the 1st grade team and more recently has spent his home game days ensuring the Canteen runs efficiently and effectively.
A series of brothers were also prominent during this period with Mark and Paul McGarry , Joe and Luke Jansen and Michael (Axel) and Tim Axelsen all participating as players coaches or administrators.
Ross Walker, a Grand final winning team member in 1971/72, became President of Norths during this period and was subsequently elected a life member in 1990.Universities Rugby Club as known as ANU Rugby until am arrangement with UC Killer Bees in the 90s led to Universities Rugby club .ANU Rugby attracted several coaches and players from the Royals Club.
Coaches included Mick “Chicken” Little, Gerry Daley, Peter Smyth and Peter Scott (whose sons Ian and Gordon both played 1st grade) Peter was a former wallaby;ANU maintained a winning advantage over the Royal Military College for the Hatchet Trophy , a traditional June long weekend game attracting a large crowd of Rugby supporters.
This included a surprise ‘visitor’ dressed in a chicken suit unexpectedly kicking off the 1st grade game in 1983. The Hatchet Trophy served as the conduit to simmering tensions between the two institutions and so ‘Burying the Hatchet” led to this fixture. These tensions escalated in the mid-60s, with damage being caused to Bruce Hall on the ANU campus, and a vehicle set alight on the RMC parade ground.
The matches regularly drew large crowds of spectators;ANU won 4th grade in 1982 - Richard Garnett, Jack Pappas, Peter Medlock, Jim Brewster, Tony Moleta, Kim Chapman featured;ACT representation was also realised by Michael Apps (who also represented Australian Under 21s for two years), Jim Renwick, Adam Duthie and Peter Stanek;
Brigadier Bill Rolfe (dec) was a popular figure at ANU Rugby, having completed a law degree after losing his legs in Vietnam - he undertook a couple of stints as 1st Grade coach;
In 1982, 1st grade prop Craig Edwards kicking a field goal;
Sitiveni Rambuka played prop in first grade in 1982 before returning to Fiji to lead a military coup;
and Peter Bradley collected his second (of his 3) Macdougall Medal in 1984
