Kiama Rugby Club’s first grade team got a preview of the 2025 rugby union season over the weekend when their second grade team faced off against the Wollongong Tech Warratahs.

Due to scheduling issues, including byes, the Easter weekend, and cancelled trial games, the first grade team - who lost the grand final in 2024 - will have to wait until 26 April to take the field. 

Due to the little amount of preparation, several first grade players joined the second grade team in their round one clash, which ended in a dominant 41-3 victory against the Tech Waratahs.

“Firstly, we’re really grateful to Tech. We know they’re having a tough time and weren’t able to field a first grade team,” said Kiama player Dante Patrick. 

“And they definitely gave us a good game to start off with. We had a few from firsts playing to release a little bit of those cobwebs, which was good.

"This was actually our first test all year, and we're very proud of the result, but there's definitely a long way to go.”

Kiama’s first grade team will face Campbelltown in their opening game on 26 April, and Patrick knows they’ll need to be sharp. 

Campbelltown will be out for revenge after Kiama knocked them out of the finals race in 2024.

“They’ll definitely have some vengeance on their minds after we knocked them out in the grand final qualifier last year. So, we’re expecting a tough game and we’ll need to be well-prepared,” Patrick says.

Dante Patrick coaching the Kiama squad at the Sevens tournament earlier this year. Photo: Brian Scott

There have been a few changes to the first grade squad since last season, with some players departing and new faces joining, including key recruit Tom Baker. But Patrick is confident the team will be firing on all cylinders in 2025.

“Two years ago, when we made the semis, it really got people excited. There was a shift in momentum, and that carried us into last year’s big push to the grand final,” says Patrick. 

“So, for us, the first year was about reigniting interest, the second was about competing, and this year it’s about focusing on the little details to execute everything perfectly and go all the way.”

When it comes to Shoalhaven - the team that broke Kiama’s hearts in last year’s grand final - Patrick knows they’ll be just as strong in 2025.

“As long as they’ve got that trophy, they could lose a few key players and it wouldn’t matter. They’ve built such a winning culture down there, and that environment just keeps breeding success. But if we can test them as much as possible when we play them, I believe we can definitely compete,” he says.

Kiama’s first grade team will face Shoalhaven in a grand final rematch in their first home game of the season on 10 May at Kiama Showground. They’ll be eager to take on the reigning champions and prove themselves as one of the top teams in the Illawarra.