Where Are They Now?

Over the weekend, I headed out to watch Gungahlin Eagles take on Uni-North Owls in the Battle of the Birds.
With the Owls hosting Ladies in Rugby Day, it was fantastic to see so many supporters of local rugby gathered at ANU North Oval to enjoy a beautiful autumn afternoon and some very high-quality rugby.
What stood out to me most, though, was the number of former Daramalan players taking the field for the Gungahlin Eagles.
For those who may not know the story behind the long relationship between Daramalan Rugby and the Gungahlin Eagles, it is one worth telling.
In 1966, Father Jack Dempsey, a teacher at Daramalan College, approached ACT Rugby with the vision of creating a club that would allow Daramalan boys to continue playing rugby together after graduating. From that idea, the Daramalan Rugby Club was born, entering the sub-district competition of the time.
By 1969, Frank Heggarty pushed for the club to enter the premier division, with Daramalan competing in the 3rd grade competition. Then, in 1973, Daramalan fielded its first 1st Grade side, with many club legends taking the field and some progressing to even higher honours.
In those early years, Daramalan Rugby Club trained at the monastery on Northbourne Avenue before later moving to Ainslie Oval, where they built a true fortress in black and red. Through the successful years of the 1980s, the club continued to grow, fielding five grades.
By the late 1990s, Daramalan had to move on from Ainslie, and after several temporary home grounds, an opportunity emerged in Canberra’s newest growth area, Gungahlin. In 1999, Daramalan Rugby Club officially changed its name to the Gungahlin Eagles.
While the name changed, the relationship between Daramalan and the Eagles never did.
That connection remains as strong as ever. The Eagles have become a club that not only provides a pathway for former Daramalan students, but also welcomes players from all backgrounds, schools, junior clubs and countries into a strong and supportive rugby community.
Now in 2026, that relationship is still alive and thriving.
As I sat and watched the Colts match, it was impossible not to notice just how many former Daramalan players are now proudly wearing Eagles colours. Players such as Jeziah Sega, Henry Laidler, Brad Patmore, BJ Pumpa, Pat Edwards, Denzel Veikune, Lebron Alofipo, Tyler Jones, Spencer Hancock, Moses Kaufusi, Nate Pfitzner and Jasper Melmoth are just a few examples of graduates from recent Daramalan rugby seasons who are now continuing their journeys with the club.
Just as exciting has been seeing the number of former 1st Girls players who have continued playing rugby beyond school. Amy Maka, Bri Patmore, Jasmine Reid, Frankie Cappello, Hulita Toefoki, Sannah Diou, Kayley McGuire, Daisy Goodwin Makenna Ravouvou, and current Year 12 student Eseta Tuipeatau are all part of that story.
To see these athletes continue in the game after school, and in many cases continue doing it together, is something truly special.
Because rugby has always been about more than just the scoreboard. It is about connection, belonging and shared experience. It is about the friendships built through hard work, sacrifice and community. Once you are part of rugby, those bonds stay with you long after the final whistle.
Seeing so many of our former students still involved in the game is a reminder that Daramalan Rugby is not just about what happens during the school years. It is about building a lifelong connection to the sport, to community, and to each other.
And that is something worth celebrating.