This is our first newsletter for the 2009 season and I hope that you like the new format. After the summer lay off, pre-season training commenced on 27 January. Brock Parker and his team of coaches delivered a set of tightly organised activities and drills over the ensuing months which were genuinely appreciated by the players in attendance. Training nights were well-attended with well over 120 different players contributing to an average attendance rate of 65 - 70 per session. On occasions, we had over 80 players in attendance which is the highest number we have seen at pre-season for many years.
We were also able to recruit some quality players to the club over the off season. Look out, in particular, for our new Fijiian lock Maciu Vosa, ex Auckland Marist 1st XV halfback Brendan Goodwin and Mark 'Fonz' Luafalealo who joins us after having played 9 tests for Manu Samoa as well as Hawkes Bay, Ponsonby and Eastwood. Fonz, Maciu and Brendan will join with Ben Constable, Martin Campbell, Steve Johnson, Jay Graham, Niko Lauina, Corey Robertson and the Iosefo brothers to form the nucleus of our 1st XV squad.
In 2008, the Club had just over 150 members. For a club of
our size this is a little disappointing figure given that there would be many
hundreds, if not some thousands, of people in the Harlequin diaspora who
identify as a Quin. Accordingly, the Committee has instituted 'TARGET 250' a
campaign where we aim to have, in 2009, at least 250 financial senior members.
We have a range of membership options to suit everyone from players to social
members who are passionate about rugby union and would like to support one of
the leading clubs in Victoria. Payment of subs is now a very straightforward
matter: simply follow the steps on the 'subscription' button on our great new website. Martin Fuggle has taken steps to ensure that, a receipt and a formal acknowledgement from the Club are issued following payment of subscriptions. Last week, our players paid nearly $10 000.00 in subscriptions to honor their commitments to the club. Please join the players and get on board for 2009!
2009 promises to be a
marvelous season for our club and I look forward to seeing you on the sidelines
or in the bar.
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We've had a great start to the social year with a BBQ and about 30 players watching the Super 14 on the big screen after the Powerhouse trial game. The 18th April saw many of us at our sponsor the Station Hotel for a 'welcome to the season' function. This was a great night and a good opportunity for players and partners to meet and socialise before a great season of Rugby. This function was well patronised with approximately 60 people attending.
We have some good social events planned for the year and look forward to seeing you all at these events. Key dates so far for the year are as follows:
Kangaroo Court (2nd May)
Harlequins Wallaby Dinner (19th June)
Wallabies v Italy (20th June)
Annual Ball (11th July)
All Blacks versus Wallabies - Live at the club (18th July)
Reverse Raffle draw - at the club (15th August)
The Harlequins Wallaby Dinner will be attended by
ex-Wallabies Dan Crowley, Daniel Herbert and Tom Lawton who will make up
"The Panel". Email Justin
Sampson for tickets.
These are the major dates and there will be more to come.
Saturday Lunch Club
The Saturday Lunch Club (gentlemen only) meets at the clubhouse at 12.30pm on selected Saturdays when the 1st XV is playing at home. The club provides an excellent lunch and all Harlequins are invited to bring a friend or colleague and watch the match following lunch. Dress code requires members to wear a jacket and a 'rugby' tie otherwise you need to beware of the fines master who is always sniffing out misdemeanors.
The club President provides an update on the previous month's club news, the Club coach gives an insight on the prospects for the day, and the fines master gets an opportunity to fine those attendees who disgrace themselves (or not!). Guests are introduced, a special guest speaker appears from time to time and the lunch ends with a rendition of the club song at around 2.45pm giving plenty of time to watch the main match which starts at 3.10pm.
All funds raised are strictly for the benefit of financial players, senior or junior, who suffer major injuries on the field and as a result suffer hardship. The first lunch to be held on Saturday 2nd May has been sold out with more than 50 attendees. It pays to book early! The lunch on 30th May will be the 20th anniversary of the lunch club and plans are afoot to make this extra special.
The scheduled lunches for 2009 are as follows:
Melbourne (2nd May)
Melbourne University (30th May)
Booroondara (4th July)
Moorabbin (1st August)
Power House (15th August)
Enquires to Stan Gyles (Mobile: 0407 836 436) or Andy Corp (Mobile: 0411 796 816).
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The 2009 season started with a good win for 1st Grade, 33-22 over a Boroondara team that will surely be amongst the top teams in 2009. A tough and willing game, Quins displayed typical 1st game rustiness - but the commitment and patience shown by the team were the prevailing attributes on the day with a bit of help from lady luck. Player of the day was openside flanker T J Lavea with blindside flanker Niko Lauina and flyhalf Marty Campbell also playing well. Mic Iosefo in the centres bagged himself 2 tries with the scrum scoring a pushover try and debutant lock Maciu Vosa also getting over the tryline. 1st Grade boasted 4 debutantes on Saturday and another 3 players returning after missing the 2008 season.
2nd and 3rd Grades were both slow to start in their games letting Boroondara get away to strong starts with both teams failing to make up the leads. 2nd Grade were down 15-0 after 15 minutes and eventually lost 15-10 with 3rd Grade being down 29-0 after 20 minutes and going down 37-19. Colts played a trial game at University with their season to start in the coming week.
Numbers are solid through all the grades, but more players are always needed and welcome. It is great to have every club member serve as a recruitment scout - every kiwi, islander or brit you meet - ask them if they play rugby and if so get their number and please pass it onto me (Mobile: 0417 014 971).
Player Profile - Jay Graham
Position: Wing & Club Captain
Hometown: Wanganui, NZ
S14 Team: Crusaders
Top Rugby Honors: Crusaders Academy Squad
Favourite Food: Any of the FREE food I get at Jason Haeata's place
Favourite Movie: When Harry Met Sally - it gives me hope that someone is out there for me
Favourite DVD: Love songs MIX DVD I made myself
My Hero: Phil Robinson - he has an attractive intelligent wife who loves cooking and cleaning (obvious eye sight issues in marrying Phil though)
Goals: To be loved by the right (single) woman
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First of all a big welcome to all Harlequin junior players and their families to the 2009 rugby season about to commence in earnest this Saturday 2nd May. This season we have entered one team in Under 8's, 10's, 12's, 14's and 16's and have a combined team with the Eltham Rugby Club in the Under 18 one section competition.
Under 8's and 10's will play their games in the South East section of the VRU Pathway framework Under 12's, 14's and 16's will play in the 'B' sections of their respective age groups. It is hoped that at this level of competition these teams will be more competitive than in recent seasons where at times we have struggled against bigger and predominately older opponents (2nd year) in 'A' section streams. Some measure of early season success would boost the confidence of the playing ranks and enable our coaching staff to improve individual and team skills in a positive fashion.
Coaches and Managers for 2009 are as follows:
| Team | Coach/Manager |
|---|
| Under 8 | Michael Degotardi, Martin Cooper, Bob Swartz, Steve Eskridge |
| Under 10 | Coach - Jamie McCracken, Manager - Eric Lely |
| Under 12 | Coach - David Christoffelsz, Daryl Stout, Manager - John Ortner |
| Under 14 | Coach - Mark Burrell, Paul Kennedy |
| Under 16 | Coach - John Eglinton, Assistant - Timoci Tamani, Manager - John Dale |
| Under 18 | Coach - Geoff Mckie, Geoff Raymond, Scott Collin, Manager - Denise Thompson |
Thanks to you all for the undertaking, it is much appreciated. A reminder to all parents and guardians that the clubrooms will be open every Wednesday evening during and after training and we cordially invite you all to come inside and enjoy. Canteen and bar will be open. Our registrar and gearperson/secretary, Tracey Quigg, will be in attendance on Wednesdays to complete outstanding registrations and receive monies for gear and subscriptions.
Mike Bull
Chair - Harlequin Junior Rugby
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