Rugby League


Fred Yanz and Son


Fred Yanz senior played first grade for Wests 1922-28 while one of his sons, (all of which also attended the School), also Fred, also played first grade for Wests, 1944-48. Fred Senior’s grandsons also attended the School. his other son, John, was a teacher at the school from 1974 until [to be checked – please leave comment or use the contact form if you can help.]


Denis Fitzgerald

Denis Fitzgerald – Eels in the 1970s and later Parramatta Rugby League Club CEO for many years. The days of cigarette advertising. For more see Wikipedia.

A PDF copy of the Wikipedia file for Denis can be downloaded HERE


Graeme Atkins (1973)


A Parramatta junior made his first grade debut as a replacement fullback for Phil Mann in the fifth place play-off against Wests in 1975. While five-eighth was his favoured position, it was as a darting winger that Atkins played the majority of his first grade career.

Atkins was a reserve for centre John Moran in the final minutes of the 1976 grand final but his great form the following year cemented a first grade place on the wing. He played in both the Eels’ grand final appearances in 1977 and was a try-scorer in the club’s maiden grand final win in 1981. Cut from the club prior to the start of the 1983 season, he returned to the Eels after two years with Easts. He retired in 1987. See Wikipedia.

A PDF copy of Graeme’s Wikipedia page can be downloaded HERE


Find the former coach of the Parramatta Eels (and St. Helen’s) 


Also a former teacher at Parramatta Marist High – Peter Bowd, 1998 – 2013, 16 Years.

Mathematics Teacher and Years 8, 10, 11 & 12 Coordinator


Ljubo (Lew) Zivanovic (1976)

Lew Zivanovic (born in Penrith, New South Wales) is an Australian former rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the New South Wales Rugby Leaguecompetition. He primarily played in the second row but could also played at lock-forward and prop.


Zivanovic, who played 116 games for the Panthers between 1979-1986, is a passionate supporter of the club and has previously been involved with its charitable venture, Panthers on the Prowl.

A Wentworthville junior, Zivanovic was a tireless worker in both attack and defence in his seven years at the Penrith club, often topping the tackling tables for his side. He retired after the 1986 season because of outside work commitments.



Amco Cup & Shield 1977 Program Page 1 –
Thanks to Mark Attwood (School Captain 1977) for dropping in this program from the 1977 AMCO cup final against Ashcroft High. Some familiar names on the draw on page 2 of the program.


Amco Cup & Shield 1977 Program Page 2


Paul Gallen – State of Origin Captain


You can download a PDF copy of the article HERE


Recognise this Parramatta and Souths Rugby League Player?

Daniel Irvine (born 13 February 1982) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s. He played in the National Rugby League for Australian clubs, the Parramatta Eels, Canterbury-Bankstown and South Sydney.

Nephew of Australian Rugby League Great Ken Irvine,[3] Irvine attended Parramatta Marist High and was selected to play for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1999.

Irvine formerly played for the Parramatta Eels then Canterbury-Bankstown and is commonly known by the nickname of Bubsy. Irvine signed a 2-year contract with South Sydney for 2007/2008 season

Irvine went on to coach the South Sydney Toyota Cup team for the 2008/09 seasons.

He is now a chiropractor at Irvine Chiropractic servicing the Parramatta, Northmead, Winston Hills, Merrylands, Greystanes, Oatlands areas and the surrounds.


Nathan Cayless (1995) 

Nathan Frederick Cayless (born 28 March 1978) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, and has coached in the 2010s. He played at representative level for New Zealand (captain), and at club level in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Parramatta Eels, for whom he was a long-time captain, as a prop.[1] He captained the New Zealand national team to a Rugby League World Cup victory over Australia in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, and coached at club level in the Intrust Super Premiership for the Wentworthville Magpies from 2016 to 2018.

Cayless was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, he has Maori ancestors, and eligible to play for New Zealand due to the grandparent rule, and he is the older brother of the rugby league footballer; Jason Cayless.

While attending Parramatta Marist High School, Nathan played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1995 and 1996.[4] However, he later chose to represent New Zealand at senior level.

Read more about Nathan by downloading his Wikipedia page HERE or online HERE


Jason Cayless

Jason Paul Cayless[3] (born 15 January 1980) is a former New Zealand international rugby league footballer who played as a prop in the 2000s and 2010s. He played for the Parramatta Eels, Sydney Roosters and the Wests Tigers in the NRL and St Helens in the Super League.

He won the 2002 Telstra Premiership and the 2003 World Club Challenge with the Roosters, and the 2006 Challenge Cup, 2006 Super League Grand Final, 2007 Challenge Cup and the 2007 World Club Challenge with the Saints.

He is of Maori descent. He is the younger brother of Nathan Cayless.

You can read more about Jason by downloading his Wikipedia page HERE or read ONLINE


Chris Warren – Player & Sports Commentator (1988)

Chris Warren (born 1 September 1970) is an Australian television presenter/producer and former professional rugby league footballer. He is the son of Australian Sports Commentator Ray Warren, best known as the “voice” of Rugby League.

He was brought up in Sydney attending Marist Brothers Parramatta where he gained his Higher School Certificate and later became a Bachelor of Commerce, with a major in marketing.

Playing career
Warren played seven seasons in the NSWRL and ARL after making his debut for Western Suburbs Magpies in 1990. He was a Parramatta junior and played in their winning SG Ball side of 1986. Was also captain of NSW CCC at under 15 and Open age but missed out on making the Australia Schoolboys side in 1988. He was a foundation member of the Western Reds squad in 1995, but never made an appearance in first grade for the club. He retired from playing in 1997 and joined Tennis West as their Marketing Manager before heading to the UK in 1998.

Read more about Chris’s media career HERE

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