MAY 2008
Welcome to the first issue of the SRFC newsletter. In each issue, we hope to report on the progress of each team in the club, as well as any upcoming events.
In this issue, we cover each grade and report on the “Southbridge shield” day and our very successful club day, as well as looking towards the end of season activities. We will also be looking at the latest addition to the rugby club, our web site. We are very proud to be the first Ellesmere rugby club to go live on the web.
SOUTHBRIDGE SHIELD
After what seems like an eternity, the Southbridge shield day final returned to its place of birth, Southbridge. In a change from previous years, four games were played rather than the historical three, with the U16’s, U19’s, colts and senior representative sides from Ellesmere taking on North Canterbury. The days results were very one sided with Ellesmere coming out victors in all four games, this is the third year in a row that the senior team has defeated their North Canterbury rivals.
It was also great to see so many Southbridge players representing Ellesmere on their home soil, with four players in the U16 side, three in the U19 side and two in the Colts team. Sadly we were unable to convince the Ellesmere selectors that any of our players were up to the senior standard.
CLUB DAY
This year’s club day was an outstanding success. We had 10 of our 12 teams playing at home for the day (two teams had a bye) and all but three teams had victories. To pick out only one highlight for the day would be an injustice to all of the great things that occurred during the day. We had sausage sizzles, a mobile coffee vendor, raffles, team photo’s, club awards, live music and the Super 14 rugby semi final on the big screen, all in all it was an amazing day for everyone who was at the ground.
WEB SITE
On the 30th of April 2008, the SRFC web site went live on the World Wide Web, since then we have experienced phenomenal interest from all around the world. As the following stats will show you, the site is a huge asset to the club and will open a lot of doors for us in the future.
Visitors: 365
Pages viewed: 3035
Hits: 9194
Countries: Australia, UK, NZ, USA, South Africa, and Canada.
The web site enables the rugby club to communicate with its members and supporters on a large scale on a regular basis, this is of immense help to all concerned due to the busy lives we all lead.
The web site is updated as soon as new information is received, so please continue to check for any news or events, which may have been recently downloaded. If any members, players or supporters have information, photos or news they would like to be put on the web site, please send it to the following address. blair@southbridgerugby.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please get these dates into your diaries as soon as possible; both dates are “must attends”.
· The Albert Anderson “PLAYER OF THE YEAR” day
Sunday the 17th of August at the rugby grounds, with the after match auction at the Southbridge Hotel
· Cabaret and Senior prize giving
Saturday the 23rd of August at the Southbridge town hall
TEAM REPORTS
DIVISION ONE:
With one round remaining (Southbridge has the bye) in the NC/MC/Ellesmere competition, the Southbridge boys are sitting in third position on the table and in all likelihood will finish in fourth spot, this will then require a trip to the Omihi domain to take on the undefeated Glenmark side. When the finals for this competition are completed the Ellesmere teams will then continue with their own competition. Southbridge still has to play Darfield, Prebbleton, Hornby and Burnham before hopefully playing in the semi finals.
This season has seen the team defeat all 7 of the Mid Canterbury teams but lose to the three Ellesmere teams on their side of the draw.
U18:
This team has shown great improvement from week to week as the season has progressed under the guidance of Neville Carter, Nick Wilson and Martin Lilley. The team plays in the NC/MC/Ellesmere competition, which requires a lot of travel to all parts of the Canterbury Country area, this is not only requires a commitment from the players but also the parents and supporters who continue to follow the team to all games.
The team is currently sitting in third position on the table, and has just started the second round of the competition with a hard fought victory over Darfield at the Southbridge domain.
U16:
Once again this is a team that continues to show improvement each time they take the field. The team remains undefeated after the first round of their competition, and was rewarded with four players chosen in the Ellesmere U16 side that played North Canterbury. The coaching staff of Mark Luxton, Gary McGregor and Janice Joplin is doing an outstanding job with these lads. Well-done guys and keep up the great work.
U14.5:
This is a combined team based at Dunsandel with 10 Southbridge boys in it. This team is also undefeated and is playing an exciting brand of rugby. Many thanks to Karen Maw who is our club contact involved with this team, Karen manages to keep the Southbridge club up to date with what’s happening on a regular basis
U13:
Peter McLean, Michael Sheat and Sharyn Sheat are doing a fabulous job with this young team. This is a team full of talent, which is being developed under the guidance of their experienced coaching staff. The boys have experienced some highs and lows so far this year, but continue to improve each week, and currently sit mid table at the half way point of the competition.
Great to see so many Sheat family members wearing the “Blue and White” stripes, keep up the great work Nuggy, only one to go.
U11.5:
Chris Els and Barry Manson are doing a brilliant job in developing this group of young men into skilled rugby players. The brand of rugby played in this grade is exciting and entertaining for not just the players but also the supporters. This team has experienced more highs than lows this season and promises to be an exciting group of players in future years. Keep up the great work guys.
U10:
This is a combined side based at Leeston with four Southbridge boys in the side. After starting the season with a couple of heavy losses, the team has improved immensely, and have now managed to string a few wins together, and improve their rugby skills in the process. This team is well coached by Scott Kaynes and Stu McLachlan.
U8.5:
The club is fortunate to have two teams in this grade. Both teams are having a successful season, winning more games than they have lost. The Blue team is coached by Fiona Musson, and Managed by Lisa Luxton. The White team is coached by John Kinney and Chris Price, and managed by Louise Christey. This is one of the more challenging grades to coach, as this is the transitional grade from ripper rugby to tackle rugby.
U7:
Again the club is fortunate enough to have two teams in this grade. The teams are coached by Doug Iremonger and Dan Newberry. One of the highlights this season is seeing five young girls taking the field in this grade. Once again, a big thank you must go to the parents for transporting these young players all around the Ellesmere area each Saturday, without your help JAB rugby would not be as strong in our club as it currently is.