Sydney - The Waratahs have announced the re-signing of powerful backrow Jack Dempsey who will stay with the Sydneysiders for another two seasons.
Dempsey has recently been called up as one of four
development players to join the Wallabies in this year’s end-of-year tour of
Europe, together with his Waratahs team-mate, Andrew Kellaway and Reds duo
Taniela Tupou and Izaia Perese.
The promotion caps off what has been an impressive season
for Dempsey, who has made a name for himself as a powerful ball runner.
Following his debut for the Waratahs last year, Dempsey has earned another 11
caps for his home state, becoming a regular in the side in 2016.
He currently sits on identical figures to his uncle, former
Waratah and Wallaby, Tony Dempsey, with 14 caps and three tries to their names.
Dempsey has continued to impress following a standout season
in the recent Buildcorp NRC with semi-finalists, the Sydney Rays.
Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson said the club is delighted
that Dempsey has re-committed as the team continues to build for the future.
“Jack is amongst a number of new and exciting players that
have stepped up this year and that I am sure fans will enjoy seeing continue to
progress,” Gibson told the Waratahs' official website.
“Next year he has an opportunity to cement a regular
starting spot and fulfil his enormous potential.
“Competition for back row spots will be fierce and will push
Jack to greater heights.”
Dempsey first joined the club back in 2015 before he was
named on the bench for the round 14 clash against the Sharks last year at 21
years of age.
Having impressed the coaches in his first year with the Tahs
in 2015, Dempsey was elevated from the supplementary squad to the core playing
squad in just his second season.
Born and bred in Sydney and a representative of the Gordon Rugby
Club, Dempsey has represented his country at every junior level. A product of
St. Ignatius College Riverview, he played a major role in helping their 2011
side to a GPS Premiership in the number six jersey.
He was awarded a spot in the Australian Schoolboys side the
following year after performing consistently for the NSW Schools side and
emerged in the senior levels of Club rugby with Gordon, where his tenacity in
defence and work over the ball was noted.
Dempsey was selected in the Australian Under 20s team that contested the IRB Junior World Cup in New Zealand in 2014, impressing many as part of the run-on side. He also accompanied the Waratahs Sevens side that played in World Club Sevens tournaments in Ireland and London the same year.