The Sydney Roosters are pleased to introduce the establishment of the Sydney Roosters Heritage Committee, aimed at recognizing, commemorating, and advancing the Club’s rich history as it approaches its 117th season in 2024.
In order to underscore the significance of the Sydney Roosters’ historical legacy, the Club has proactively established a Heritage Committee. This committee is responsible for maintaining a steadfast focus on all aspects related to the preservation and celebration of our history. Acting as both a working and advisory body, the Committee reports directly to the Board of Directors.
Led by Roosters Director Peter Newton, the Committee will lend organizational structure and backing to the Club’s strategic initiatives, notably the “Honouring Our History” pillar, which forms one of four key focal points.
Carefully chosen for their ability to provide oversight to this crucial aspect of the Club’s operations, the Committee aims to amplify its significance among stakeholders, including staff, current and former players, as well as Members and supporters with ties to the Sydney Roosters.
Among its various duties, the Committee will assume management responsibilities for heritage events and functions, aiming to become a primary resource for heritage-related content across the Club’s digital and social media platforms.
The Club proudly announces the inaugural members of the Sydney Roosters Heritage Committee:
Peter Newton, a Sydney Roosters | Easts Group Director since 2001, serves as the Chairman and majority shareholder of All-States Finance Pty Limited. Additionally, he co-founded Metals X Limited and currently holds the position of Chairman. A devoted supporter of the Sydney Roosters since 1961, Newton was appointed Chairman of the Sydney Roosters Foundation in 2021.
John Quayle, a former Roosters player and Australian rugby league international, boasts an extensive career in sports administration. Initially serving as a senior official at Easts Leagues Club, Quayle ascended to become the NSWRL’s inaugural General Manager in 1983.
Following this, he assumed the role of General Manager of the ARL in 1988, overseeing the management of the sport until late 1996. Notably, Quayle held the position of events manager for SOCOG during the 2000 Summer Olympics and has been a member of the Board of Venues NSW since 2012. Widely recognized as one of Australia’s top sporting administrators, Quayle has left a significant mark on the industry.
Joe Kelly, a prominent figure in rugby league administration, has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Roosters | Easts Group since 2017. Before assuming this role, he held senior executive positions with various clubs, including the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Chief Executive Officer from 2014 to 2016), the South Sydney Rabbitohs (Chief Financial Officer from 2007 to 2014), and Chelsea Football Club (Financial Controller from 2002 to 2007). Additionally, Kelly currently holds directorship positions with the NSW Rugby League and NSW Leagues Club, starting in 2023.
Jarrod Johnstone is the Chief Operating Officer of the Sydney Roosters, a position he has held since 2017. Prior to this role, he served as the Club’s Head of Commercial Operations. With over 17 years of experience in the NRL spanning three different clubs, Johnstone has held various roles ranging from Membership, Match Day Entertainment, Merchandise, and Stadium Operations to Commercial Operations and Senior Management.
Trent Robinson holds the record for the longest tenure as Head Coach in the Club’s history, reaching a milestone of 250 games with the clipboard in 2022.
Robinson immediately made an impact upon joining the team in 2013, securing both the Minor Premiership and NRL Premiership in his debut season. Throughout his tenure, he has accumulated numerous accolades, including multiple Minor Premierships (2013-2015, 2018), an Auckland Nines title (2017), and the distinction of being the first coach in the NRL era to guide a team to consecutive Premierships in 2018 and 2019.
With roots in the Club dating back to his time playing in the lower grades during the late 1990s, Robinson’s dedication to the Roosters and the eastern suburbs is evident, reflecting his profound connection to the Club’s history and values.
Mitchell Aubusson has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Roosters Academy since its establishment in 2021. Following his retirement from the NRL in 2020, Aubusson concluded a remarkable career as a one-club player, setting a record as the most-capped player in Roosters history with 306 NRL appearances.
As a three-time Premiership winner (2013, 2018, 2019), Aubusson was recruited to the Club at the age of 16 by the esteemed Arthur Beetson and showcased his versatility throughout his illustrious 14-season career, earning the nickname “Mr Fix It” for his ability to fill various roles for the Roosters with skill and dedication.
Aubusson’s leadership is highly esteemed by the Roosters, having assumed the captaincy on multiple occasions. He has been honored three times with the Club’s James Mathews Club man of the Year Award, in 2011, 2015, and 2016.
Cathy King, a dedicated supporter of the Sydney Roosters for generations, marked her 30th anniversary of service with Sydney Roosters | Easts Group in 2023. Throughout her tenure, King has held various administrative and human resources positions.
Notably, she made history in 2010 as the Club’s first female Football Manager. King’s profound knowledge of and passion for both the Roosters and the local eastern suburbs have earned her immense respect and recognition within the Club. In November 2023, King was announced as the Sydney Roosters’ first female Life Member.
Terry Murphy, who played five seasons of first grade (1977–1981) at the Sydney Roosters and was a member of the 1978 Roosters Amco Cup winning team, has played a pivotal role for the Club as the convenor of the Roosters Old Boys. Despite his successful career as the proprietor of an office supply company, Murphy now focuses on fostering and maintaining relationships with past players.
Alan Katzmann, a Football Club Life Member, has been a devoted supporter of the Roosters for nearly six decades. He recently served on the Roosters Hall of Fame Committee and is recognized as one of the Club’s most dedicated supporters. As a Roosters Junior League Board member, Katzmann brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of Rooster history to the Committee, playing a crucial role in preserving the Club’s historical data.
Heritage committees and societies are common within sporting organizations with extensive histories. In Great Britain, they are present in English Premier League clubs like Everton, county cricket teams such as Lancashire, and renowned rugby league clubs like Wigan and St Helens. In Australian rugby league, the Western Suburbs Magpies formed a heritage committee in 2013, making it the only other club besides the Sydney Roosters to have one.
As the sole club to have participated in all 116 seasons of professional rugby league in Australia, the Sydney Roosters Heritage Committee aims to ensure that those who laid the foundation for the club’s success are never forgotten.
The Committee’s mission is to enlighten the public about the club’s remarkable history and to commemorate the contributions of all individuals who have shaped the club since its establishment on January 24, 1908.
