Hi ,

Well that was one huge week with me being out every evening, culminating with Saturday night celebrating the Birth date of Robbie Burns at our Lodgerooms. For a guy out of the 17th Century and only living 37 years, it is amazing to try to comprehend what he packed into his life in that relatively short time. There are still to this day, Clubs and Burns followers Worldwide and apparently none moreso than in Russia. Perhaps Putin missed the teachings from this World acclaimed poet,etc. He also wrote some famous songs, still sung to this day, especially on News Years Eve - Auld Lang Syne. A great night. If you have not tried haggis, you have not tried a Scottish delicacy!

On Tuesday night I did a presentation to the WRFU Board on Mental Well-Being. I have felt for sometime that perhaps the Rugby fraternity is concerned about this subject, but unsure where to go or how to go about it. My investigations found that Paremata-Plimmerton are quite possibly a lot further down the track than anyone in NZ. I have had several meetings with Pare-Plim's Logan (Gus) Ainsworth which have been very enlightening. I was also invited to a forum at Petone on Mental Well-Being by Wayne Smith where I had the privilege to meet La Winitana, a Petone Rugby Well-Being Facilitator. Quite frankly, it is these people along with Kerry Walsh, WRFU President, and the WRFU CRSC (and some others) that made me feel that I could no longer "sit on my hands" and do nothing. So - I did it! My dream is that this subject will be opened up under the WRFU umbrella to all clubs in our area. We will not be telling clubs what to do, my aim is that all our clubs have some platform to work from and have the support of all our brother and sister clubs in this particular arena. The presentation was done, and after an initial interesting comment from the chairman, a very positive discussion ensued. Time will tell!!

My Saturday was very interesting. I started off at Jerry Collins Stadium watching a Women's semi final between Norths and Petone. Norths went on to win in a wet sodden field in a very good game. Women's Rugby at this level is very exciting, as witnessed by a large crowd in the stadium. At the end of the game, La Winitana (as above) was acknowledged for her 50 Premier Womens appearances. Awesome effort. 

Next was a visit to a rather murky Lyndhurst Park where our Colts were playing HOBM. Up in the rather cool Clubrooms, was our Patron, Paul Mac, Levi (ex player and father {and Grandad} of a number of our players) along with Steve (who was running late). While we watched and discussed the rugby in front of us, along with various other subjects, Charlotte worked on regardless. The game was pretty skillful when you consider the conditions. HOBM were leading most of the game from when I arrived, with some good runs and great defence on both sides. In the last minute or so our Colts scored a try and won by two points. I joined our Colts in the changing rooms where coach Steve So'oialo reminded the boys of our club song. Fortunately because of my association with the Senior Club, I was able to join the Colts in song. A great bunch of young guys.

Then up to Redwood Park where back in the day I used to spend two nights a week religiously for a number of years. Seems it was still wet, soggy and still muddy after all these years. I recall we used to train to kick the ball to the North West corner - much to the annoyance of the opposition who were unaware of the off camber drop. That aside, our Reserves were playing OBU Teddy Bears. Saga was very welcoming as usual and introduced me to his Team, a number of whom I remember from some time ago. There was an obvious comradeship between the immediate Team and those Players of the opposition. Our Boys took the game which Saga felt puts our Team in a good spot going forward. I do believe this Team is integral to our ongoing success as a Club. It is as integral as the Presidents.

Whilst at these Games I kept an overview on YouTube of our Games in Kilbirnie. Our Premier 2 Team continued on their winning way and the Premiers brought home the Kevin Carmichael Cup. A good day all round.