Published here is a Copy of a story appearing in September issue of STARS....

THE NEAREST THING TO HEAVEN IN BIG BOYS’ GAMES.

Perhaps it’s because Rugby Union has been described as “the game played in heaven”. Or maybe that in living longer, men are finding more time and a greater inclination, to keep playing big boys’ games.

Whatever the reason, more and more men of mature years are returning to the game of Rugby – once the exclusive province of the young, fit and sturdily built.

The result is a surge in popularity for the “vintage” level of the game…for those over the age of 35 who still hanker to scrum, ruck and maul with their mates against rivals from around the world. Indeed, it seems that the closer they get to heaven, the more enthusiastic they are becoming about the immensely popular 15-man game.

In fact the second World Vintage Rugby Carnival, planned for Buenos Aires in September, 2006, is expected to attract as many as 80 teams, from countries as far afield as the United States, England, France, Ireland and Italy, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand and Morocco, Emirates, Australia and New Zealand.

The inaugural Carnival, played in Rugby-mad Limerick, Ireland last year brought together more than 30 teams from 10 countries.

Vintage Rugby is an opportunity for passionate former players of all shapes and fitness levels, to relive past glories on and off the pitch. It is this passion which produces a feast of stories which quickly grow into international legends. Former New Zealander Geoff Andrews, now a New York resident is one who lives and breathes the game he loves.

“Vintage Rugby is a great hobby, and living in a one-bedroom apartment in New York City you need a hobby of some sort,” he says. And it’s a hobby which has repaid him with tours around the world, and the memories of a lifetime.

Like the time during a game in Christchurch, New Zealand, when a telephone went off in a scrum. The scrum broke up, the guy explained to his wife where he was and we all got back into it,” he said.

Not so lucky was the player in Cardiff, Wales. Shortly before halftime, a solidly-built Welsh woman stormed onto the field and fastened a tight grip on her husband’s ear, dragging him off the field to go home to complete some chores he had neglected.

For Geoff, the most memorable game he saw was in 1983 in New York. Regular replacements were happening during the game, with going on and off in typical Vintage style.

“As they did, they exchanged jerseys, a process which was proceeding well until the referee blew his whistle for a scrum. The ball duly emerged from the scrum and was being passed along the backline towards a spot opposite where a new replacement was struggling to get a too-small, sweat-soaked jersey over his head and shoulders.

“The trouble was, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get it on – and he was stuck fast with his arms high above his head doing hula-type gyrations trying to pull the jersey down. Suddenly the guy with the ball is nearly upon him and everybody is yelling ‘tackle, tackle, tackle’.

“Then with a magnificent heave, he changes tactics and pulls the jersey off, not on. Having been blinded to what was going on, he is amazed to see the guy with the ball bearing down on him – so he throws his sweat-soaked jersey at the ball-carrier. Amazingly, it wraps around the runner’s head and momentarily blinds him.

“As he stops running, he is creamed by three tacklers – provoking an all-in with haymakers being thrown everywhere. The referee awards a penalty to the ball-carrier’s team – they kick the penalty to win the game as the final whistle blows…just as the guy who has now gone to the sideline, gets the sweaty jersey on!”

Vintage Rugby is made of such stories. And they are swapped at Carnivals every two years.

At the helm of the programme is Vintage Rugby Director, New Zealander Paul Gleeson, who with fellow administrator Peter McDermott has created a huge reputation for organisational skills of Vintage events. Their common passion is to provide over-35s Rugby players the opportunity to have fun, and play their favourite game in attractive destinations around the world.

They are also committed to benefiting local Rugby charities from each Carnival. Vintage Carnivals are in two categories – men between 35 and 45, and men over 46.

While Vintage results play absolutely no part in the IRB’s international seeding table, there are always bragging rights available for the teams with the best record at socialising, which is usually a mix of capacity for beer consumption and laughter levels.

Because no matter what the on-field results, Vintage Rugby is all about just one thing – honouring the game with the fullest measure of good fun and friendship. And perhaps, getting prepared for that first game in heaven.

More details about Vintage Rugby can be found at www.vintagerugby.com.


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