The 3rd World Vintage Rugby Carnival staged recently in Christchurch, New Zealand attracted teams from 7 countries and was enjoyed immensely by all those who were lucky enough to be there. Christchurch turned on great weather and its traditional hospitality was evident everywhere. In this newsletter you will read about and see images from the Christchurch Carnival, meet some of the oldest players and learn all about the venue for the 4th World Carnival.
Read on, and welcome to Newsletter No 1 - Take a wander … it’s all at your fingertips...
Contents
For Vintage Rugby players it may just have been the equivalent of a total eclipse of the sun and moon together. Certainly, the planets moved into unique alignment – and it seemed Rugby heaven somehow merged with Rugby earth.
Such symmetry is what old Rugby players will travel the world for. Vintage Rugby in Christchurch - the land of the Crusaders. What could be better than this ?
All the elements necessary for a highly successful Vintage Rugby Carnival fell into place as the teams from the USA, Australia, South Africa, Norfolk Island,Spain, France and around New Zealand arrived in Christchurch
determined to have a good time. Recent rainy conditions were replaced with perfect weather all week, good grounds and two outstanding social functions. And have a good time they certainly did from the march through the city, to the Maori Challenge and welcome ceremony and cocktail party in the huge marquee erected in the grounds of Christ’s College.
The buzz created by the opening festivities carried over to the following day (and subsequent days) at the Marist Albion RFC where the games were played. The club offered wonderful facilities and post match hospitality and entertainment – Canterbury style.
The mid-week ‘Big Night Out’ at the Holy Grail (New Zealand’s largest rugby bar) provided the opportunity for teams to get together to enjoy this unique rugby pub.
The final Dine & Dance was a perfect social occasion to wind up a wonderful week of rugby, fun and friendship.
For 6 days in September Christchurch truly earnt the mantle of “Planet Rugby”.
Don’t just take our word for it – here is a small selection of the congratulatory comments already received from team leaders…..
“What a wonderful experience to enjoy the company of so many rugby enthusiasts in Christchurch - a beautiful city in the heart of the Rugby Capital of the World. The rugby, entertainment, tours and most of all the Vintage Rugby Organization were, once again, world class. For us each tournament has been better than the last in terms of the fun we have had and the side trips we have made. As for the parade, it was the best we’ve had and the opening ceremony the most entertaining. Well done Vintage Rugby” Dr William Welsh – team leader Archiball Association USA.
“Congratulations and well done on the Christchurch Carnival. From the Budgies view point it is great to attend a Rugby Carnival where rugby is high on the agenda - this meant we got rugby and good rugby on each and every day and then we had the great city of Christchurch to enjoy . And wow wasn't that a great city ! We thought the organisation of the Carnival from the pick up at the airport,the Traditional Maori Welcome, the entertainment at the two functions right through to the Finale Dinner was superb!Thank you ! We will certainly be looking forward to Cape Town.” Geoff Phillips – team leader Brisbane Budgies.
“From the Bulldogs I would like to express our extreme gratitude for a superb Carnival. We all thoroughly enjoyed the Kiwi hospitality, the beer, the food and of course the rugby. We combined extremely well with the Wallopers who are a magnificent bunch of guys. We really enjoyed playing with the Aussies and hopefully we will see them in Cape Town. Once again thanks to Diane and Angela and the rest of your team for a fantastic effort. See you all in 2 years.” George Wilson – team leader – Union Bulldogs Johannesburg.
“Thanks for a great week, the ideal excuse for a well overdue reunion after 10 - 15 years !” – Stu Hall – team leader - Watsonian Blowflies, International Team.
“The Christchurch Carnival was “Fan-bloody-Tastic” and Awesome and then the rugby wasn’t bad either. Thanks to Vintage Rugby for everything that you did in organizing, running and supporting such a fantastic carnival” – David Morgan- team leader International Bustard Eagles Australia.
During the week of the Christchurch carnival organisers announced that the 4th World Vintage Rugby Carnival will be staged in Cape Town, South Africa, home of the current world champions, during August 2010. The decision to stage the event in Cape Town followed responses from the Vintage Rugby database when they were asked to nominate their favourite venues for future carnivals. The 7-day CAPE CARNIVAL will include 3 playing days, two huge social functions, an exciting optional midweek trip and a comprehensive sightseeing and activity programme.
South Africs is well endowed with a wide variety of experiences to explore. From watching the ‘big 5’ game animals in one of the world’s biggest national parks to enjoying a relaxing time on the wine routes. Cape Town, where sea and mountain meet dramatically, is one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Visiting this wonderful part of the world is an experience of a lifetime and for many an experience that lasts a lifetime without losing the sense of wonder and surprise.There are many places not to be missed in Cape Town – Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Point, The Waterfront, Groot Constantia and further afield the wine and food of Stellenbosch await you.
Cape Town is also one of the great bastions of world rugby. It is a stronghold of rugby in one of the most rugby-mad countries in the world. Whether you are 35 or 80 Vintage Rugby players are in for an unforgettable experience in 2010.
With the FIFA World Cup being held in South Africa during June and July 2010, there is a whole new infrastructure for visitors being developed in the Rainbow Nation. Consequently Vintage Rugby have not yet quite concluded its negotiations. We have a commitment from our South African partners to have everything nailed down by early November and we will launch the full details through www.vintagerugby.com on November 20 this year. This will be followed up by a mailing of the Carnival brochure. SO START YOUR PLANNING FOR SOUTH AFRICA 2010 – IT WILL BE FANTASTIC. Email us to register your early interest in further details
The Hon Clayton Cosgrove, New Zealand’s Minister for Sport and Recreation attended the final dinner and spoke before presenting the 3 Carnival Awards – for the first time in the form of medals presented to all members of each team.
The ‘Travellers Award’ was presented to ZF – Arquitectura Classics from Madrid, Spain who travelled 19538 kms to be at the Carnival.
The ‘Best Dressed Team Award’ was presented to Citi Warriors from Cape Town, South Africa.
The ‘Spirit of the Carnival Award’ presented to the team best displaying the true spirit of Vintage Rugby during the Carnival was awarded to The Highwaymen from Kirwee, New Zealand.
Vintage Rugby was created to provide opportunities for mature players of all shapes and sizes and levels of fitness to continue to play rugby as competitively as they wished against like-minded teams from around the world. At the same time it has also provided organizers with the unique opportunity to honour our oldest players – those true gentlemen of the pitch who still get so much pleasure from playing their favourite sport. They are an inspiration to us all so the opportunity was taken during the Christchurch Carnival to recognise the seven oldest players:
82 years young
- Tony Rogers – Albion Allstars (New Zealand)
Max Kidd – Endeavour Hills Ratbags (Australia)
75 years young
- Ian Anderson – Creaky Ol Convicts (Norfolk Island)
74 years young
- Fred Schouw – Citi Warriors (South Africa)
73 years young
- Rev Fr Pat Ward – Marist Marauders (New Zealand)
- Arthur Olwagen – Union Bulldogs (South Africa)
70 years young
- Joe O’Mara – The New York Vintage Whines (USA)
All pictured here (except for Fr Pat Ward – more about him later) at the opening party after receiving special awards from Councillor Barry Corbett representing the Christchurch City Council.
Fr PatWard’s absence from the gift presentation described in the previous story can now be explained – as the parish priest for Epsom Parish (Auckland) he had clerical duties to carry out on Sunday before travelling to Christchurch to play one of his favourite sports. He missed the opening ceremony and party. Here is a report that appeared on the front page of ‘NZ Catholic’ the national Catholic newspaper.
PRIEST, 73, ON A WING AND A PRAYER
“I’ve never seen a vintage rugby player run so fast” a player commented as he watched one of the players score a try in last month’s World Vintage Rugby Carnival in Christchurch.
That swift veteran was the Marist Marauders’ oldest player, 73 year-old Fr Pat Ward, whose long range try against South Africa’s Union Bulldogs no doubt contributed to him picking up the man of the match award.
The ease with which he collected the try and his far-from-exhausted appearance at the end of the game disguised any doubts he had on the field. “When I caught the ball, I didn’t know whether to run or not” he said. “I made sure to keep myself on the wing for most of the game”.
Fr Ward’s performance was even more remarkable given uncertainty about whether he would be able to play due to a shoulder injury picked up while playing squash. He is also the oldest member of his squash club – Royal Oak in Auckland.
This was Fr Wards eighth international vets rugby event, having travelled to events in London, Toronto, Dublin, Vancouver, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. The former Manurewa senior rugby player joined the Marist Maruaders in 1985. That was the year they travelled to London, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of his ordination.
While he admits he cannot do all the things he used to do on the rugby field, he has no plans to give up anytime soon. “People ask me when I’m going to retire, but I just have’nt got around to it yet”, he said with a grin.
Reading the story from Johannesburg, George Wilson (the leader of the Union Bulldogs) commented “ I remember the sheer brilliance of that try, speed, cunning, deftness……I hope I can do that at 73!”.
It was with a great deal of sadness that Carnival organisers had to advise teams that a member of the Bustard Eagles, Mark Seeley, had tragically passed away as the result of a heart attack after a brief period of play during the first round of games. Mark collapsed after leaving the field and despite the attention of an ambulance crew which was on the scene, he could not be revived. Mark's death was a shock not only for his teammates but for everyone involved with the Carnival. It was decided to honour his memory and Maori heritage with several cultural protocols during the remainder of the carnival week. Teams observed a moments silence before their next round of games, a special Maori blessing was arranged on the field where he died and at the final dinner a further moments silence was observed before team leaders came forward with a gift for Mark's family - over $10,000 was donated. Later in the week a special tribute to Mark was written by Bill McVicker one of his team mates which we reprint here:
Friends and Fellow Ruggers,
It is with great sadness that I must report the passing of one of our own while participating in the outstanding Vintage Rugby Carnival in Christchurch New Zealand this week. 
Mark Seeley was only 44 years young, leaving behind a wife and 3 small children. Those who have either played for or against the Bustard Eagles over the years know the tradition that accompanies that team both on and off the field. The international arm of the Bustards has been touring together since 2004 and Mark was the newest member of that squad. He grew up in New Zealand, but for the past 18 years has called Kalgoorlie, Western Australia home.
There was a sense of loss around the carnival and a touching Maori farewell and blessing at the grounds prior to the next round of matches that brought a tear to the toughest prop-forward. It's always sad to lose a Rugby brethren, but in the midst of a fun-filled carnival, it brings even closer to home our own mortality.
To the best of anyone's knowledge, it was not due to any on-field collisions, but was simply his heart giving out for reasons we may never know. As we must all move on at some point, perhaps its small consolation to know that he went playing the game that he grew up with and loved so well. We know Mark is now playing for the first side in the game they play in heaven.
Farewell from the Bustard Eagles and everyone in the world-wide fraternity of Ruggers.
Rest in peace Mark
As everyone knows there are no winners in Vintage Rugby – the emphasis is on having fun whilst continuing to play rugby and meeting up with old friends. There was however one winner in Christchurch – the Carnival charity – the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust who recently built a large block of apartments (Ranui House) for patients and families who have to come to Christchurch.
We asked teams to bring an extra jersey which were then displayed for a silent auction during the final dinner. The response was amazing with over 30 jerseys being donated – some were specially designed one-off models. The most popular offering proved to be the Battleship Old Boys jersey and team leaders Lars Granade added his team leaders ‘medallion’ to go with it. Dianne McDermott from the Vintage Rugby office successfully outbid other would-be owners and is now the proud owner. In addition to the silent auction Christchurch City Council also donated 30 street banners that were displayed in the city during the carnival. They are available for NZ$100 each with proceeds going to the charity. Please contact the Vintage Rugby Office for more details here.
Follow this link to view over 300 photos taken during the Christchurch World Vintage Rugby Carnival >>>
Our friends from Johannesburg, The Union Bulldogs, grabbed the chance of a photo opportunity with some All Blacks when they met them in the Bealey pub.
Not just any All Blacks but Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter and a rather bemused looking Andrew Hore. Judging by the smile on Carter’s face the boys hadn’t mentioned last year’s World Cup!
Finally
We will keep you updated about Vintage Rugby and the 2010 World Vintage Rugby Carnival in Cape Town….
Your next issue of the Vintage Rugby newsletter will be sent later next month and will feature the details about Cape Town.
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