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As the business end of the 2011 Rugby World Cup kicked into action in New Zealand veteran rugby teams from all over the world continued to register in large numbers for the fifth World Vintage Rugby Carnival being held in Hawaii from September 23-30, 2012.
12 months before the start of the Carnival, Vintage Rugby has 40 teams already confirmed who include over 1100 participants from 11 countries.
In this Seventh newsletter you will read about the influx of international teams coming to Hawaii, what to expect during the carnival, meet the men from MARS and the Vets from Canberra, get some shopping hints for the ladies, consider the question every Vintage Rugby player ponders and view another video about Hawaii.
Read on, and welcome to Newsletter No 7 - Take a wander … everything is just a click of the mouse away.
HAWAII ENTRIES & NEWS
Yes it’s true .....12 months before the start of the 2012 Carnival, Vintage Rugby has already confirmed 40 teams registered comprising over 1100 participants from 11 countries. Teams from USA, Australia, New Zealand, Bahamas, Argentina, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal, South Africa, Brazil and England have confirmed their entry and many more are expected to follow between now and next August.
Australia, New Zealand and the USA lead the way in terms of teams already registered with 12, 7 and 7 teams respectively. New entries received since our last newsletter include the Cracked Conchs (Bahamas), 4 New Zealand sides – Stuffed Hawks (Southland), Bays Bullshitters (Canterbury) Canterbury Baa Baas (Canterbury) and Upper Hutt Yellowbellies (Wellington), Harlequin Gentlemen (England), Keep Walking Rugby Club (Brazil) and MARS (aka Middle Aged Rugby Side) (USA).
Earlier this month the entry received from the ‘Keep Walking Rugby Team’ from Brazil created much excitement – they are the first Brazil team to play in a Vintage Rugby Carnival. We will have more news about the team in a future newsletter.
Thanks to all the teams who responded to the invitation to nominate their favoured destinations for the 2014 World Vintage Rugby Carnival. The information received is still being analysed and will help organisers to identify your preferred venues and ultimately a short list for further investigation.
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MEET THE MEN FROM MARS AND THE ACT VETERANS FROM CANBERRA
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It’s said that men are from Mars and women are from Venus so let’s meet the rugby men from MARS (Middle Aged Rugby Side) who will be making their first appearance at a Vintage Rugby Carnival next year in Hawaii.
Team organiser Andy Smith told Vintage Rugby that the roots of MARS may be traced back to 1985 in Philadelphia where Tony Studdy (their esteemed founder) decided to put together a team to participate in the Golden Oldies Festival in London.Since then MARS has participated in every Golden Oldies Festival with the exception of Wellington NZ in 2006.
The team plays only at Oldies events and is open to anyone looking to “lace up the boots one more time” for a run (jog?) in a non-competitive setting. Current and past team members have come from nearly every state in the US as well as Australia and Great Britain. A past highlight was facing off against the “Silver Ferns” a team made up of former All Blacks. In addition members have played on USA sides that hosted the Wallabies and All Blacks back in the early 1970”s.
MARS is excited about playing in its first Vintage Rugby Carnival and looks forward to renewing old friendships and making new ones.
MARS may be found on Facebook under “MARS Rugby".
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Lindsay Callaghan told Vintage Rugby that “the ACT Veterans Rugby Union was formed in 1995 to offer those who still enjoy the game the opportunity to play without suffering the ignominy of competing against babies in grade rugby. Since then the ACT Veterans have played games on a regular tri-weekly basis during Canberra’s rugby season, reliving our past glory days, or just trying to catch and pass a rugby ball, make the occasional tackle, and enjoy the social interaction. The Vets are non club aligned and its members come from the ACT & surrounding NSW region. We have players who come from all walks of life, and have rugby experience all levels and probably should know better at our age. The ACT Veterans have also been regular participants in the Biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games held on the Gold Coast, winning a number of medals in the process.
Our home ground is Portsea Oval, Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon and we have a long and friendly relationship with the staff and cadets of RMC. Our patron is the Chief of the Defence Force and we play regular games and annual charity matches against the Army Old Boys, The Navy Old Salts and the RAAF Mirages as well as other defence related teams. Through the generous sponsorship of numerous supporting organisations we have been fortunate enough to have raised well in excess of $100,000 for our ‘Charities of Choice’ including Legacy, the George Gregan Foundation, and Snowy Hydro Southcare.
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Many of the Vets are avid Vintage Rugby Festival participants, with members in the past attending all of the Vintage tournaments to date, with a larger contingent (11) joining forces with the Bustard Eagles from Queensland for the last Carnival in Cape Town (SA). So much fun was had by all that for Hawaii in 2012, the decision was made to send our own team and we have a touring party of 28 like minded spirits keen to enjoy the sights of Hawaii, build on the friendship made at previous carnivals and make new ones with all the rugby heads in Hawaii 2012. We hope to bring Vintage Rugby to Canberra in 2014 and are keen to show you all the very best of times in Australia’s capital city”.
More information about the team can be found on their excellent website.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT IN HAWAII NEXT SEPTEMBER ?
With just under a year to kick off in Hawaii it’s timely to consider what players and their partners can expect to experience in Hawaii next September.
There is no other location quite as bucolic as Kapiolani Park, nestled at the foot of Diamond Head and right on the shores of Waikiki Beach, it’s the perfect location for the parade of teams, the 3 playing days and post-match hospitality where teams will be able to mix with all the other teams as they watch the sun going down on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. In September the temperature will be a balmy 27/28 C, 85-87 F during the day, just perfect for playing rugby and creating big thirsts.
There is no fear of using too much energy in getting to the grounds either, all the Carnival hotels are close to Kapiolani Park making the trip from bed to pitches no more than a pleasant 10 minutes stroll.
All teams will be required to be in top shape, the social demands will be high so be prepared to bring your best efforts, the competition will be ruthless. The HHOBO’S (Hawaii Harlequin Old Boys Overseas Side), your Hosts, will use all of their 50 years of entertainment experience to put you to the test. Waikiki, with its many fine eateries and watering holes may be a major obstacle to your on field performance, but will certainly enhance your many social skills.
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During the non playing days there will be an abundance of optional choices. Take one of the many official 2012 Carnival tours/excursions (details are being advised separately to teams) or take that once in a lifetime Waikiki Beach surf lesson, ride a six man Outrigger Canoe, sail off on a Sunset Catamaran ride with a MaiTai in each hand or just laze on the beach and check out the Wahine (ladies).
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RUGBY NEWS WORLD CUP SPECIAL EDITION YOURS TO READ
Vintage Rugby has used Rugby News to support the advertising campaign for the 2012 Carnival – very successfully given the 19 teams from Australia and New Zealand who have already registered. The magazine has published a Rugby World Cup Special Edition which includes everything you need to know about the tournament and the teams. Its been made available in digital form.
Follow this link to read your own copy and see our advertisement on page 67. |
TEAMS QUESTION LOCATION OF RUGBY GROUNDS
Organisers of the Hawaii Carnival have recently been puzzled by some teams who have questioned the positioning of the rugby fields at Kapiolani Park. How they ask can you say that the Carnival hotels and grounds are so close together and the rugby fields just a stone’s throw from the beaches of Waikiki ? Our response to such assertions is that people shouldn’t just take our word for it - and photos don’t lie. This illustration shows the position of the hotels, rugby fields and the beaches of Waikiki |
SHOP TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT
For those (ladies in particular) who love shopping, Hawaii will provide the ultimate opportunity to test those shopping skills and your bank manager’s patience !
O’ahu not only has some of the best beaches and golf courses in the world, it also boasts some of the best shopping venues. From high-end fashions to uniquely Hawaiian products, you will be able to shop ‘til you drop on Oahu.
O’ahu not only has some of the best beaches and golf courses in the world, it also boasts some of the best shopping venues. From high-end fashions to uniquely Hawaiian products, you will be able to shop ‘til you drop on Oahu.
There are several large shopping centres across the island, including Ala Moana Centre, Aloha Tower Marketplace, Pearlridge Centre, Victoria Ward Centres, Kahala Mall and Waikele Premium outlets. Waikiki also provides great shopping opportunities, offering the world’s leading luxury brands as well as island-made crafts. So don’t forget to pack your most comfortable shoes and bring an empty suitcase !
Follow this link to get more details about shopping in Waikiki. |
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DON’T MISS THE HAWAII CARNIVAL – REGISTER NOW!
The 7-day Hawaii Carnival will include 3 playing days, two huge social functions, an exciting optional midweek trip and a comprehensive sightseeing and activity programme. Full details about the 2012 Hawaii Carnival can be found on the Vintage Rugby website . Details include information about the Carnival programme and costs.
BE PART OF THE 5TH WORLD VINTAGE RUGBY CARNIVAL BY REGISTERING NOW … Enter on-line here.
VINTAGE RUGBY IS NOW ON FACEBOOK
There really is no better way to be kept up to speed with the latest news and photos from Vintage Rugby than browsing our facebook page. Better still if you click the “like” button you will instantly become a fan of the Vintage Rugby page and will receive news feeds in real time. The only catch is that you need to register for facebook in order to receive these updates. Registering your facebook page is very simple. All you need to do is log on to www.facebook.com, fill in the “Sign Up” form (First Name, Last Name, Your E-mail, Password & Birthday), facebook will send you a confirmation e-mail and that’s it.
And for those of you who have been with us since Limerick, you are in for a pleasant surprise. We have photos uploaded onto the Vintage Rugby facebook page from the Limerick Carnival 2004, Buenos Aires Carnival 2006, Christchurch 2008 and Cape Town 2010. We even managed to post a great video clip of the Condamine Codgers in Cape Town.
If you have video or photo’s you would like us to post to the Vintage Rugby facebook page please send or e-mail them to us and we will upload them.
So don’t be shy, click on the link below and have a look or drop us a line, we would love to hear from you.
If there are any photo’s posted on our facebook page that you would like us to remove, please e-mail us and we will action it immediately.
“DO YOU MIND TELLING ME WHY YOU STILL PLAY?”
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This is the question many veteran rugby players are asked time and again by their family and friends who don’t play Vintage Rugby (nor understand how playing it can make life worth living) and even younger players as well. This story entitled ‘The Oldest Player’, which was written by David McIlveen-Wright, deftly provides an inspired answer. (It appears on the Calgary Saracens RFC ‘Old Boys’ Website page).
The Oldest Player sat crumpled on a bench in the back corner of the university locker room, covered in mud, a bit of blood, and quite a few bruises. He had a blissful look on his face. Had he scored the winning try? Put over a drop kick from half-way? Sprinted 30 yards, even once? Nope. Much more significantly, the Oldest Player had made it through the rugby game with all his body parts still in the right places.
Every part of him hurt, but he was glad he would be able to walk, rather than hobble, all the way home later that evening. He knew from long experience that he'd manage to get up the next morning, just a bit stiff, to take the kids to the park. His wife would not complain, too much, about him playing again next week. Total Success!
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The Captain, who had scored the winning try, dropped a goal from half-way, and sprinted 30 yards many times, strode out of the shower singing his favourite post-match ditty. The Captain was single, 23 years old, and handsome as a movie star. He noticed The Oldest Player sitting there, paused, shook his head slowly, and then came over. "There's something I've always wanted to ask you", he said. "Do you mind telling me why you still play? Not that you don't pull your weight, I mean, you really anchor the front row. But you used to play on the First XV before most of us were born! Now you volunteer to play for us down in the fourths. I don't get it."
The Oldest Player smiled. "Lots of people have asked me that", he responded. "My wife says the same thing before and after every match. Been doing so for twenty-eight years, poor lass."
"What do you tell her?"
"Something different every time. It drives her crazy."
"Like what?"
"I used to say I play rugby to stay fit, to have fun, and to hang out with the guys. But I don't say that anymore."
"Why not?"
"Well, mostly because it's not true anymore."
"What's true now?"
The Oldest Player sat up a little straighter, pulled out a beer and gave it to The Captain. Then he took a cold can for himself. He drank one long swallow, as if it were the best brew he had ever had. He slowly looked The Captain up and down, seeing himself long before the mortgage, the twins, the grey hair, the bills, and the career that ate up so much of his time these last few years. He scratched himself, thoughtfully, and said:
"Do you really want to know? I'll try to explain, if you have a few minutes."
The Captain didn't really want to be seen hanging out with The Oldest Player. He might get strange looks from the younger guys. But it was unlikely anyone would notice him here, in the quiet end of the room, for a little while.
"Shoot," he said, and sat down opposite.
"Sometimes I tell my wife I'm on a quest."
"A quest?"
"Yes. You know, like a surfer looking for that perfect wave. I'm looking for the perfect peel off the back of the line-out."
"The perfect peel off the back of the line-out!"
"Yeah. Remember that one I did in the Homecoming game? Went over for a try from it. Tied the match."
"That's what keeps you playing?! A line-out move?!" |
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"Yes, partly. Not just that particular move, but any good piece of teamwork and timing. Scoring is a bonus."
"That's all?"
"That's all. It's a quest for perfection. Very elusive. But isn't that what life's about? Overcoming opposition, danger and fear. Being courageous. Acting out of love and friendship, rather than personal gain. Trying to do everything as well as you possibly can, every time."
"This is too much!" The Captain exclaimed. "You make those things sound holy! Rugby as a crusade for the meaning of life!"
"It's not just a crusade, searching aimlessly for the meaning of life. Those things are the meaning of life. They make life worth living."
The Captain, a wing three-quarter, was impressed. He had always thought forwards must be a bit thick to willingly go into scrums and mauls and such.
"Wow! The meaning of life, eh? And I thought playing rugby was just a cool excuse to beat up other guys and impress the ladies!"
The Captain stood up and slapped The Oldest Player on the shoulder, forcing a wince and a rueful grin. Shaking his head, and still mumbling "Wow" to himself, The Captain wandered slowly off toward the locker room door. The Oldest Player smiled and opened another beer. He held the cold can against that nasty scrape he felt on the side of his head. Next time he would tell The Captain about the mystical role of beer in his quest. Now that was a concept the younger players might understand.
AMEN
STORIES OF HAWAII
The Stories of Hawaii’ is a collection of 2 minute videos produced by Hawaii Tourism which features local personalities sharing their stories of what makes Hawaii so unique. The 6th in this series is ’Golf in Hawaii’. We hope you enjoy this unique presentation. To view follow this link. |
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