Hi ,

Welcome everyone.

The draw is now out for the first round competitions, which for the Swindale Shield commences on 6 April when we play OBU in a replay of last years Jubilee Cup final! Venue to be confirmed.

Our first home game is on 12 April against Petone, so put these dates in your calendars now.

Talking about dates, our pre-season games commence 13 March (a Thursday) against Norths at Lyndhurst Park, followed by an inaugural trip to Christchurch on the weekend of 22 March to play Linwood, and our final hit out against Upper Hutt at Maidstone Park on 29 March.

So please lock these dates away now. More details for the Christchurch trip to follow.

Pre-season training is now well underway and our numbers continue to grow. With our weather so changeable, thank goodness for our indoor green room, which means that rain or shine we can still hold a meaningful training session.

Remember, it is the hard work now that will make your season so much more enjoyable, so get on down there.

I went to a gathering last Sunday to celebrate Barry Brooker's life. I caught up with a lot of people I hadn’t seen in years, some since the 1980s. It was great to catch up and tell some 'lies' (or embellish the past). To think we used to catch up for 21sts, weddings, etc., and now it is at the other end of the cycle!

Makes you ensure you make every moment count.

Past Tawa RFC players: Steve McCormick, Steve Rogers, Alan Barr, Craig Prattley, Tom Morgan

Thinking of catching up with old friends: I was up in Tauranga recently and went around to Welcome Bay to have dinner with Tawa legend Kevin Carmichael and his lovely wife P.

Now finally retired, he is enjoying life at his newly renovated home and playing golf at Te Puke Golf Club.

It was a great evening.

Kevin with Welcome Bay in foreground and the Mount in the background.

Kevin & Petrina Carmichael and Peta Rogers

See you all at the pre-season games.

Steve Rogers

President