The Story Behind the Dr John George Shield

The Dr John George Shield is one of junior rugby’s most enduring and meaningful trophies, with a history stretching back more than four decades.

The Shield has been awarded to the Under 10 age group since at least 1980. While records prior to that time are unavailable and the exact inaugural year cannot be confirmed, its presence across generations of junior rugby players is undeniable. From 1980 through to 1998, the Dr John George Shield was presented to the winners of the Under 10 State Championship, recognizing on-field excellence at the highest junior level.

Following the 1998 season — won by Gordon Juniors District —a decision was made by the NSW Juniors committee to discontinue the Under 10 State Championship format. As a result, the Shield remained with Gordon and, for many years, disappeared from the junior rugby landscape. It wasn’t until 2022 that the trophy resurfaced, discovered in a storage locker and returned to NSW Juniors.

In the intervening years, the Under 10 age group had been reintroduced as a development-focused State Gala. In 2019, this event was combined with the Under 11 State Gala, creating one of the largest and most celebrated fixtures on the junior rugby calendar. From 2022, NSW Juniors began awarding a ‘Spirit of Rugby’ shield for both the Under 10 and Under 11 age groups, and the Dr John George Shield once again found its place — this time recognizing the team that best embodies the spirit and values of the game.

Uniquely, the Dr John George Shield is awarded not only based on player conduct, but also takes into account the behaviour of coaches, parents and supporters. It is the only award of its kind in junior rugby to formally recognize the collective culture surrounding a team.

As the Shield became re-established as a cornerstone of junior rugby, a natural question emerged: who was Dr John George?

That question was answered in mid-2025, when NSW Juniors received an email from Patrick George, who had recognized the Shield through NSW Juniors’ website and social media. Dr John George was his father. A meeting later that year provided valuable insight into the man behind the trophy and his significant contribution to rugby in New South Wales. I also learned that Patrick himself was a fine rugby player having played at St Augustine’s and later in the 1^st XV at St Josephs College, Hunters Hill.

Originally from Proserpine in Queensland, Dr John George later moved with his family to Sydney’s Northern Beaches. In the early 1960s,he served as the team doctor for the Manly Sea Eagles rugby league club. Through his friendship with Gordon Willoughby, he was introduced to rugby union, and by 1966 he was coaching at St Augustine’s College in the local rugby competition.

Dr George was deeply involved with Warringah Rugby Club, coaching junior and senior sides throughout the late 1960s and 1970s. Patrick George recalls his father coaching a Warringah team at the 1969 Under 10–11 Metropolitan Championships. Dr George later became President of Warringah Juniors and remained an influential figure within the club for many years.

After leaving Sydney, Dr John George retired to Grenfell in central New South Wales, but his legacy within junior rugby continues to this day.

The Dr John George Shield now stands as a powerful reminder that rugby is about more than results. It honours sportsmanship, respect and community — values that Dr John George lived and championed throughout his life, and values that continue to shape the future of junior rugby.