WORLD VINTAGE RUGBY NEWSLETTER: Vol. 5 No.1
From August 29th to September 4th 38 teams from 11 countries descended on Cape Town, one of world rugby's Meccas, for the 4th World Vintage Rugby Carnival of fun, friendship and frivolity. Cape Town turned on mostly great weather and some extraordinary experiences that those lucky enough to be there will remember for the rest of their lives.
In this newsletter you will be able to relive and share some of the great moments and lasting memories of the week, read about the Carnival awards, discover just how well two charities were supported and why one of the teams has such a high media profile plus you'll find out all about the venue for the 5th World Vintage Rugby Carnival.
Read on, and welcome to Newsletter No 1 - Take a wander … everything is just a click of the mouse away
HONOURING MATES IN RUGBY'S MECCA
Vintage Rugby is all about honouring the game and each other and that's exactly what the 38 teams assembled in Cape Town managed to do - all week - as they took the opportunity to ruck and maul one more time with their mates.
Just imagine ....Vintage Rugby - in Cape Town - at Wynberg Boys' High School's pristine grounds where many former Springboks have started their illustrious rugby careers - in the land of the current Rugby World Cup Champions - with nearly 800 players and partners from all over the world. What could be better than this?
All the elements necessary for another highly successful Vintage Rugby Carnival fell into place as the teams from the USA, Australia, France, New Zealand, Thailand, the Bahamas, Germany, Argentina, Switzerland, England and throughout South Africa arrived in Cape Town determined to have a good time. A cloudless sky and 20 degrees was all they needed for a remarkable parade through the spectacular V&A Waterfront (much to the amusement and enjoyment of locals and tourists alike) led by the famous Cape Minstrels to the opening cocktail party at Paulaner Brauhaus which 800+ quickly turned into ‘party central' for the next 3 hours.
The buzz created by the opening festivities and the wonderful grounds, facilities and continually full bars at Wynberg Boys' helped set the scene for the 3 playing days that followed. In between teams enjoyed themselves in the company of other teams and at the Big Day Out in the Winelands at Stellenbosch. Follow this link for more details.
The week finished with the traditional Dine & Dance Dinner at the lavishly decorated Ratanga Junction a perfect venue to wind up a great week of rugby, fun and friendship.
Click here to go the photo gallery for photos of the teams at various stages of the Carnival!
EVERYONE ENJOYED THEMSELVES - BUT DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Although the dust has hardly settled after Cape Town the organisers have already received some very complimentary comments from team leaders. We share a small selection.
"As usual we had a great time at the Carnival. Everyone on our team, players, wives (cheerleaders) and spectators thanked me for a great tour and Carnival." Dr William Welsh - team leader Archiball Association (USA).
"...overall the Festival was great. Obviously the location helps and there is no doubt that Cape Town is one of the world's great cities. Everybody said what a great time they had." Peter Muscroft - team leader Cracked Conchs (Bahamas).
"Cape Town was awesome. Even the South Africans were impressed. Once again the organization was superb, the city, the venue, the people, the scenery, there is so much to talk about. I think Vintage made a very big name for itself in Cape Town." George Wilson - team leader Union Bulldogs (South Africa)
"Thanks for a wonderful carnival in Cape Town - they just keep getting better” David Morgan - team leader Bustard Eagles (Australia)
"It was a great carnival and well organised. We enjoyed it very much. Everything was great" Adele Rossouw - team organiser Middelburg Ougatte (South Africa)
"We had a fantastic time and since talking about the trip to our guys that did not make it, well, they are now regretting not coming. We are looking forward to the Hawaii tour now.
I guess the biggest thing for us was how the local teams that we met in Christchurch in 2008 (the Union Bulldogs in Jo-burg and the Citi Warriors in Cape Town) took us under their wing and looked after us. This is what World Vintage Rugby is all about. Rugby is the bonus, its meeting up again with the friends you have met and enjoying each other's company once again. Can't wait to catch up with the Swiss, the teams from the States, the Aussies of course, our very good friends from SA, the Argentineans', just every one. What a great atmosphere the Carnival presents." Stuart Gouk - team leader Ohaupo Old Farts (New Zealand)
"The Goldies were just so proud to have attended the Cape Town Carnival to witness the beautiful people and the magnificent scenery, truly a great and lasting memory” Kevin Kiri - team leader Queensland XXXXs (Australia)
CONDAMINE CODGERS SPONSOR CAPE TOWN RUGBY CLUB
The Condamine Codgers have left a legacy in Cape Town by deciding to sponsor the Rocklands Rugby Club, a local Cape Town club.
How did all this come about? Just another feel good Vintage Rugby story - it's the result of a friendship that developed at the Christchurch Vintage Rugby Carnival between one of the Codgers and a player from the Citi Warriors who has had a lot to do with the Rocklands Club and as they say the rest was history
The Codgers gave the team their second set of jerseys as well as a lot of playing gear and R13, 000 to help out with other expenses. Some of the Codgers took part in a training run with the team and attended one of their games.
Final note - they are even trying to get 2 of their players out to Australia to play a season at the Condamine club - who knows they might just unleash another Springbok - watch this space.
5TH CARNIVAL HEADS TO NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
After 3 Vintage Rugby Carnivals in a row in the southern hemisphere organisers thought it was time to head north in search of some different scenery, sea, beaches and sunshine to compliment the rugby. The fifth World Vintage Rugby Carnival will be staged in Hawaii during September 2012.
The 7-day Carnival will include 3 playing days, two huge social functions and an exciting optional mid-week trip. Plus - there will be a comprehensive sightseeing and activity programme. And of course every night there will be any number of dining and social options all within walking distance of your accommodation.
The 5th Vintage Rugby Carnival will be played at Queen Kapiolani Park under majestic Diamond Head - just a stone's throw from the world famous beaches of Waikiki.
Teams will be accommodated in a range of hotels and apartments - something to suit all requirements.
How friendly are the Hawaiian Islands? Click here and watch the video of Miss Hawaii inviting the Vintage Rugby fraternity to come to Hawaii in 2012.
Full Carnival details are being finalised now and the launch of the carnival programme and packages will take place in mid-November through www.vintagerugby.com.
So start planning now for Hawaii 2012 - it's going to be out of this world!
TO LEARN AND LEAVE A LEGACY
It's been said that we exist to ‘live, love, learn and leave a legacy'. Since the inception of the Vintage Rugby Carnivals, VSL has as one of its objectives supported a nominated charity in the region in which the carnival is staged - to leave behind a tangible legacy in exchange for a week of enjoyment on and off the field.
The organisation identified for support by VSL for the 2010 Cape Town Carnival was the ‘Bobs for Good Foundation' whose vision is to put shoes on the feet of the 7 million children in South Africa that do not have them. The Foundation is the inspiration of former Springbok Captain Bob Skinstad and was created to tackle the daily plight and indignity of children with no shoes, raising funds to provide children with sturdy shoes made in South Africa. Shoes are symbolic of pride in Africa, and help give hope to young learners knowing that they are believed in and the dignity that they can walk to school in comfort, as opposed to barefoot.
The teams who played in the Carnival responded enthusiastically to the call to donate one of their touring jerseys for a raffle/auction and the organisers developed a number of strategic opportunities that would enable teams to get more involved, if they wished, with the Foundation.
One team in particular responded immediately to the challenge.The Bundaberg Rumruckers have a long and proud history of supporting local charities when they tour overseas (they were awarded a 2010 Australia Day Award for their assistance to Community and Charities). They discussed a number of fundraising initiatives with the Foundation and then with the support of local sponsors set out to raise additional funds. After lots of hard work they were able to hand over R9,288 at the end of the Carnival.
A total of R45,389 was raised during the Carnival which enabled the foundation to provide 450 brand new pairs of 100% leather South African shoes to every child at the Makanyu Primary School. That's a real legacy! Read the letter received from the Bobs for Good Foundation.
This photo from the Cape Argus are the beaming faces of Zwonka Munyai, Rabelani Tshikalaha and Thompson Tsilatsila with their new shoes.
Top photo Bundaberg Rumruckers leader Ken Martin makes the presentation to Ron Rutland, M.D. of the Bobs For Good Foundation.
SPARE A THOUGHT FOR ....
Whilst the 2010 Carnival is over we still need to spare a thought for ...
Mike Hogden (from Norfolk Island) a member of the Queensland XXXX who had a heart attack in Botswana after the carnival while the team was visiting the Chobie National Park. He was medi-evacuated to Johannesburg where he underwent a quadruple heart bypass operation. We wish him well for a speedy recovery.
Members of the Canterbury Baa Baa's were in Cape Town when an earthquake that measured 7.1 on the Richter Scale hit the Canterbury area in the early hours of Saturday 4th September.
Team leader Trevor Holder sent Vintage Rugby the following message after they'd returned home ..
"Well what a way to end our trip. 7 of the guy's homes are destroyed and my in-law's house is to be demolished, thankfully no one is hurt. I am so busy at the moment. We arrived home at 2.50pm on Sunday and it was straight into work I have had about 8hrs sleep since I got back.
Our kids are fine and all our family are OK. What we have to remind each other is that it is only material stuff that can be replaced. Thanks for your support and well done on a great carnival."
CARNIVAL AWARDS PRESENTED AT FINALE FUNCTION
The following Carnival awards were presented at the conclusion of the 2010 Carnival:
- BEST LOCAL TEAM JERSEY AWARD - Villager Old Crocks (Cape Town)
- BEST INTERNATIONAL TEAM JERSEY AWARD - Helvetes de Geneve (Switzerland)
- OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD - For continuous support of Vintage Rugby 2004 - 2010
Kirsten Nel and Studrugby
- THE ‘TRAVELLERS AWARD' - Cracked Conchs (the Bahamas)who travelled 11860 kms to be at the Carnival. (Note: Post Carnival calculations proved organizers were wrong - the award should have been presented to the Texas XXXs who travelled 14116 kms ! A replacement award is on its way to them).
- OLDEST PLAYER AWARD - Fred Schouw - 81 years old - Citi Warriors Cape Town.
- BEST CONTRIBUTION TO POST MATCH HOSPITALITY - False Bay Old Crocks (Cape Town)
- SPIRIT OF THE CARNIVAL AWARD - For the team best displaying the true spirit of Vintage Rugby - The combined team of the Bundaberg Rumruckers (Australia) & Losberg Golden Oaks (South Africa)
QUEENSLAND TEAM HAS A HIGH MEDIA PROFILE
The Condamine Codgers from the tiny Queensland town of Condamine were well represented in Cape Town - they brought the biggest touring group (a party of 36) AND an ABC Australia TV Network crew! The network was filming a documentary about ‘The Codgers' and their efforts to help educate the local community about men's health.
As a result there was an item on the national news in Australia with some great footage of the Cape Town Carnival as well as the documentary. Click here to see the news item on You Tube. Click here to see the ABC documentary - This Sporting Life
OUT OF THE CLOSET … ONTO THE RUGBY FIELD
Many of the teams at the Cape Town Carnival responded enthusiastically to the invitation to leave their rugby gear in Cape Town when they left for home. They were supporting an innovative social responsibility project backed by the Western Province Rugby Union which aims to encourage current and former rugby players to rummage through their closets and donate their unwanted rugby gear to the ‘Out of the Closet ..Onto the Rugby Field' organisation.
Hendri Terblanche is the man behind this initiative and he told Vintage Rugby…….
“Having been involved with rugby for many years, the development of the game and players is something which lies close to my heart. However, in my recent dealings with various teams on different levels of the game I have once again become aware of the great need that exists among players from disadvantaged backgrounds. Before their need for training can be met, their basic needs, in terms of rugby gear such as jerseys and rugby boots must be addressed. This motivated me to launch this initiative which requires us to identify the most important rugby needs at school and club level that would benefit most from this project and then collecting and distributing old or unwanted rugby gear from players in Western Province and elsewhere.
As a result of local publicity we now have collection bins at a number of strategic sports stores where anyone with unwanted gear can drop it off.
Trainee workshops are also provided for all club first aid people as well as donating medical equipment to ensure the correct treatment of all injured players.
Thank you Vintage Rugby for your generous donations.”
Note: During the Cape Carnival over 80 items of clothing were donated by the visiting teams.
ENJOY THIS SELECTION OF CARNIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Follow this link to view a big selection of photos taken during the Cape Town Carnival.
WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ABOUT VINTAGE RUGBY AND THE 2012 WORLD VINTAGE RUGBY CARNIVAL IN HAWAII….
The next issue of the Vintage Rugby newsletter will be sent in mid November and will feature all the details about the Hawaii World Vintage Rugby Carnival.
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