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LATEST ENTRIES AND NEWS....
25 teams from 7 countries have now confirmed their entries for the 2008 Carnival. Latest included the Murray Cods (Australia) and three local sides the Suburbs Mauraders (who were in Limerick), Bay's Bull Shitters and Kaiapoi Kavalieres. The countries represented to date include the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Ireland, South Africa and Thailand.
Stop Press News: Southern World, the carnival ground operator, has just announced they have been able to exclusively secure the Christchurch Park complex for the carnival. Christchurch Park is located on 10 acres of beautiful garden setting grounds.
This is the home of the historic Christchurch Football Club (founded in 1863). Features include sports fields, squash courts, tennis courts, swimming pool and changing rooms, physiotherapy clinic, a conference centre, motel accommodation and restaurant. The motel accommodation is private and quiet - yet close to the city centre and international airport. The complex has 9 motel units sleeping 4 each plus a house that sleeps 6 - enough beds for 42 people.- ideal for a big team or 2 teams. This property falls into the Carnival 'Value' ground package category(which includes the accommodation, Continental Breakfast, transfers and both social functions) - NZ$1067 per person.
View full details at www.southern-world.com/vintagerugby
If you like to book this accommodation just advise Dianne McDermott - dianne@vintagerugby.com
MEET THE TEAM FROM AUGUSTA
....
Archiball Association, USA is registered for the Christchurch Carnival and will be attending it's 3rd World Vintage Rugby Carnival having had big touring groups in Limerick and Buenos Aires.
The team is organised and led by the affable Doctor William Welsh (pictured here with his wife Lynn) who told Vintage Rugby about the history of this unique sports organisation.
The Archiball Association is an international network of rugby teams founded in 1966 in La Rochelle, France by an architect Yvan Carris. The name is a contraction of the words architect and ball. Later other associations were formed in France and in 1972 Archiball Cote Basque was formed by Jean Raphael Mille-Lacroix, an avid golfer, who added that sport to the aging sides' interests. Most subsequent tours after that period have included golf tournaments as well as rugby. International Archiball teams are now well established in Toulouse, Guadaloupe, Tahiti, Antiles, Argentina, St Martin and Guiana.
Archiball Association USA is based in Augusta, Georgia - appropriately the home of The Masters and the team has toured the Carribean, France, Cuba, South Africa, China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and Ireland.
Their logo is very distinctive - the Beaver - nature's architect - with a red beret. The team maintains the commitment to Rugby and the Basque country of France in costume and spirit (they won the best dressed award in Limerick). Vive le Rugby!!!
THE NEAREST THING TO HEAVEN IN BIG BOYS' GAMES....
Perhaps it's because Rugby 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 opportunity to continue playing their favourite sport in new and exciting destinations.
Vintage Rugby was created to provide an opportunity for passionate former players of all shapes and fitness levels, to relive past glories on and off the pitch.
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.
PUT YOURSELF IN THIS PICTURE ....
Want to be part of an international veteran rugby event ? This is a unique opportunity to play against and socialise with older rugby players from around the world. The six day Vintage Rugby Carnival includes 3 match days and 2 huge social functions plus plenty of time to tour the Canterbury area as well as meeting old and new friends.
 Full details about the 2008 World Vintage Rugby Carnival can be found on the event website www.vintagerugby.com. Details include information about the Carnival programme and costs.
The official Carnival entry brochure is available and
is also loaded on the website.
To view or download >>>. To request
a personal copy of the Carnival DVD, Carnival brochure and Christchurch publicity
brochures just send this email to the
Vintage Rugby Office >>>
Entry for the 2008 World Vintage Rugby Carnival will be strictly limited to the first 80 visiting teams to complete the entry process and there are already 25 teams registered. Enter now to avoid disappointment. You can enter on-line.
CHRISTCHURCH IS A WORLD BASTION OF RUGBY … AND MUCH MORE....
Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch - just like the rest of New Zealand - is a city of contrasts. It is a place where its residents continue to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural environment world renowned for its beauty. A growing cosmopolitan ambience also adds a touch of excitement without overt flashiness.
Everywhere there is an understated elegance that speaks of times gone by and promises a future where everything is possible. It really is the 'city that shines'.
Internationally known as 'The Garden City', Christchurch's well established expansive parks and public gardens owe much to the planning and foresight of the city's founding fathers
The centrally-located 161 hectare Hagley Park, the Botanic Garden's the four leafy inner-city avenues, Victoria Square and spectacular gardens such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon bear testimony to this legacy. It is a vision which is embraced and perpetuated today by proud residents right throughout the city.
Christchurch is famous for many things including its wonderful sporting tradition as one of the great bastions of Rugby. It is the stronghold of Rugby in the most Rugby-mad country in the world. Rugby permeates the lives of Cantabrians
and is everyone's sport. Six Canterbury players are in the New Zealand World Cup squad announced recently - (Backs):Leon MacDonald, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis. (Forwards): Richie McCaw and Reuben Thorne. Canterbury people love their rugby and graciously welcome visitors to share their fervour for the game - on and off the field.
Among the 'must sees' are the weekend Arts Centre market, Art Gallery, Christchurch Cathedral, Botanic Gardens, International Antarctic Centre and a big rugby match at Jade Stadium (the National Rugby Championship will be nearing the final rounds during September 2008).
NEW ZEALAND IS A LAND OF REMARKABLE CONTRASTS....
The North Island offers subtropical forests, thermal geysers and golden beaches while the South Island's mountainous peaks, majestic fiords, ancient glaciers and tranquil countryside complete the picture.
No other country in the world has so much to see - so much to do - all in such a small area. Everywhere there is an abundance of pure fresh air - and very friendly people.
Ecotourism! Adventure Tourism! Our clean, green environment is an outdoor activity paradise - from bush treks and whale watching to cycle touring and bungy jumping.
New Zealand is famous for its awe-inspiring beauty and breathtaking scenery.
Our diverse and dramatic landscapes form the background for sophisticated and energetic cosmopolitan cities that each has a unique sense of culture and history. Beyond these cities you will discover small towns that will surprise you with their charm and limitless vacation activities. Find a spa tucked away in an alpine village or stroll through a private vineyard before enjoying cuisines that have found their way to New Zealand from every corner of the globe.
The North Island offers subtropical forests, thermal geysers and golden beaches, whilst in the South Island you will find mountainous peaks, majestic fiords, ancient glaciers and tranquil countryside.
Vintage Rugby players and their partners will be introduced to NZ's very special cultural heritage. New Zealanders are renowned for their genuine warmth and friendliness.
No other country in the world has so much to see - so much to do - all in such a small area. The clean, green environment is an outdoor activity paradise, from bush treks and whale watching to cycle touring, bungy jumping and world class ski fields (note - ski fields in the Canterbury region will still be operating at the time of the carnival).
Top ten things to do in New Zealand:
- Cruise on Auckland Harbour
- See bubbling mud pools and geysers in Rotorua
- Try blackwater rafting or abseiling into spectacular caves
- Sample New Zealand's great wine and gourmet food at a vineyard
- Take a thrilling jetboat ride
- Walk on the Fox Glacier
- Swim with the dolphins and see the whales
- Soak in thermal pools
- Experience the Lord of the Rings four-wheel drive tour
- Take a wildlife cruise on Milford Sound or Otago Peninsula
PRAGUE, VERONA, TORONTO, DUBAI, CAPETOWN, BARCELONA, NAMIBIA, VANCOUVER, VIETNAM ? IT'S TIME TO HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT FUTURE CARNIVALS
When Vintage Rugby was created in 2002 one of the key fundamental philosophies was to stage World Vintage Rugby Carnivals in cities that were preferred by players and their partners. We stated then our intention to poll players from time to time to establish very clearly their preferred host cities for future World Carnivals. Limerick, Buenos Aires and Christchurch were chosen because a vast majority of those who responded to questionnaires indicated their preference for carnivals to be staged in these popular (as it turned out) cities. With planning for the Christchurch Carnival in 2008 well under way and 25 teams from 7 countries already registered it is time to once again seek your personal opinions about the way World Carnivals are being staged and to ascertain your preferences for the World Carnivals to be staged in 2010 and 2012.
We have had 16 venues suggested and will be interested in your thoughts as to where you believe the World Vintage Rugby Carnival should go after Christchurch. It will only take a minute or two of your time to tell us your opinions about Vintage Rugby and where it goes from here. Its simple - all you need to do is complete this questionnaire.
(Download it as a Word.DOC) Fill it out and send it back to us as an attachment to paul@vintagerugby.com
YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT ….
Take a look at this collection of photos which include wonderful
images of Christchurch, the Canterbury Region and New Zealand – all just
waiting for you to
come and see yourself >>>
FINALLY....
We will keep you updated about Vintage Rugby and the 2008 World Vintage
Rugby Carnival in Christchurch.
Your next issue of the Vintage Rugby update will be sent in six weeks and
will feature more exciting news and views about Vintage Rugby and Christchurch 2008.
And we can keep others up to date too....
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