Sunday, 13 June 2010 21:46
TeamTalk #43 is now available.
The International Olympic Committee voted both Rugby Sevens and Golf into the 2016 & 2020 Olympic Games. What was the difference between the percentage of IOC votes for and against for Rugby Sevens, compared with Golf?
Was it: (a) 5%, (b) 10%, (c) 20%?
The Rugby Board has had a busy and productive year to date. After signing off the premier and senior draws to start the club season, the Board also approved representative team coach appointments, and signed off an amended youth player eligibility policy, specifically the requirement for all college players to seek WRFU approval should the wish to play for a senior club whilst still at school. Current focus includes the development of a new Club Rugby Strategic Plan, and ongoing work with the RWC Legacy Project, in particular club hosting opportunities and promotion of age grade rugby.
A vital sub committee of the Rugby Board, the CRSC is responsible for policy and strategy around club competitions, including grade structure, by-laws and regulations. Recently, after several seasons, Gary Gosper stood down as Chairman of the CRSC. Alan Woods was elected as Gary's successor. Gary, who has been a significant contributor over a number of years on the Rugby Board, will remain as a sub committee member. Currently, the CRSC are focused on the completion of First Round competitions and strategic planning.
With the recent inclusion of the second Taskforce resource, the programme is now in full swing. Eleven of the twelve premier clubs have engaged a CCO fulltime, while the Taskforce programme has a RDO based in the Hutt Valley, and also dual resource operating part time in the Porirua basin and Wellington. Junior registration campaign; secondary schools registration; emerging players and open skills days; coach accreditation and up-skilling; building college-club relationships; senior club observation and support are just some of the key areas of focus for both CCO's and the Taskforce over the first part of the year.
This new facility, constructed by Wellington City Council as part of their Artificial Turf Sportsfield Programme (which will include a further five synthetic fields over the next six years), is now complete. Training sessions are already underway and shortly competition play will commence, including FRIDAY NIGHT AGE GRADE RUGBY. We strongly recommend getting up to Newtown to have a look at this new facility as it will be the future of club rugby - games will NEVER be cancelled!
Congratulations to the following on their outstanding contributions to club rugby in Wellington!
200 Premier games
Misipalauni Moananu (Poneke)
150 Premier games
Polonga Pedro (HOBM)
100 Premier games
Fa'atonu Fili (MSP)
Anthony Perenise (Norths)
Ged Robinson (MSP)
100 Premier games as Head Coach
Richard Watt (Poneke)
100 Premier games as Coach
Dave Loveridge (OBU)
150 Premier games as Referee
David Walsh (WRRA)
This year's Hope Tournament saw St Bernard's College 1st XV and Upper Hutt College 1st XV play in a hard fought final. St Bernard's played with a strong northerly wind at Petone Rec in the first half but could only manage a five point lead at the change-over. With the difficult conditions Upper Hutt knew they were in with a chance. With just ten minutes to go the Upper Hutt half-back Sheredin Rangahuna kicked a 54 metre penalty, pushing their lead out to 14 - 5. St Bernard's were not prepared to give up and came back with a converted try under the posts, closing the gap to only two points. The last five minutes showed two teams desperately wanting to claim the Hope Cup for 2010. The passionate supporters gave up the comforts of the grandstand to be nearer the action alongside the field. When the final whistle blew the Upper Hutt team erupted in excitement with high fives and hugs all round.
Third and fourth places were also hard fought with Hutt International Boys coming out on top over Wainuiomata High School 34 to 25.
Taita College played last year's winner, Naenae College, in the playoff for 5th and 6th , with the former leaving their best game to the last day, winning 30 to 7.
HVHS played St Bernard's College 2nd XV for the wooden spoon, ending with a 12 all draw.
The Tournament went off without a hitch, with all eight teams enjoying a traditional after-match function at the Petone Clubrooms at the conclusion of play.
The U16 trials will be held in the three regions on Sunday, 13 June, and are open for all to watch. They will be held at the following venues:
Hutt Valley Trial
Naenae College from 9.30am
Wellington City Trial
Wellington College from 12.30pm
Western Bays Trial
Porirua College from 3.30pm
After these trials the CCO's will select 100 of our up-and-coming talent in Wellington to attend the U16 Mick Williment Development Week on Monday to Thursday, 12 to 15 July.
If any further information is required then contact Rick Whatarau at 389 0020 x 718, 021 228 2129, or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
The CCO Cup is a knockout competition for all co-ed colleges and is run similar to the FA Cup in England. 1st XV teams from any grade enter and each fixture is drawn at random. The winners remain and progress to the next round and are again draw at random.
The semi final games to be played are:
Taita College (Premier 2) v Bishop Viard College (Premier 2)
Upper Hutt College (Premier 1) v Porirua College (Premier 3)
Dates and venues for these games are still to be finalised.
Taita College (2009) and Bishop Viard College (2008) have both been beaten grand finalists and will be keen to take the next step. Upper Hutt College and Porirua College are both making their first semi final appearance.
Te Upoko o te Ika Wellington Maori Rugby is proud to announce their 2010 representative programme. They will be competing for the RDO Cup, played for by Heartland Provincial B teams.
This team will be all about development for the future of Maori rugby in Wellington, with over half the team to contain players that are Under 21.
Head coach will be Paul Wharakura (Johnsonville), assisted by forwards coach Rangi Kelly (Rimutaka), and backs coach former Wellington player John Bradbrook (Avalon).
Fixtures for 2010 are:
Saturday 28 August v Wanganui B in Wanganui
Saturday 4 September v Wairarapa Bush B in Masterton
Saturday 11 September v Poverty Bay B in Napier
Saturday 18 September v King Country B in Taihape
Saturday 25 September v Horowhenua-Kapiti B in Paraparaumu
If any further information is required then contact Rick Whatarau at 389 0020 x 718, 021 228 2129, or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Junior Rugby has been hit by bad weather, but all three zones have managed to hold trials for their representative teams for the Interzone Tournament to be held at Ian Galloway Park on 15, 16, and 17 July. 18 July will be kept as a reserve day in case of any weather problems. Teams from Wellington, Western Bays, Hutt Valley and Horowhenua will be competing in this tournament, which is a great spectacle of our future rugby players.
(c) 20%, with IOC vote count:
Rugby Sevens: 81 votes for, and 8 votes against; namely, 90% support
Golf: 63 votes for, and 27 against; namely, 70% support