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RED MACHINE - No. 1, March 2001

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

'Red Machine' reconditioned over summer
by Brian McGuinness

The bright spark who came up with the concept of the "Red Machine" was perhaps not only talking about the way our teams play their rugby, but the club itself.

Marist St Pats is made up of many parts, and each has to function at its best to make the club work as a whole.

In the off-season, we have had something of a re-condition - each part of the club, from coaching and facilities through to finance and sponsorship, has been looked at and improved.

Whether this translates into better performances and a better club remains to be seen, but we have a solid base to start the season. New initiatives for 2001 include:

• establishing a weight-training -facility at the gym;
• a "Coaching the Coaches" programme;
• introducing a website - http://www.msprugby.co.nz (this will be a great communication tool for players and supporters here and overseas to keep up to date with results and happenings at the club);
• seeking additional sponsorship opportunities;
• greater emphasis on 7s rugby and off-season training;
• a big new screen TV system for the clubrooms.

We thank all those people who have turned these long-talked about ideas into reality.

Player numbers at pre-season training have been very good. Some have said we could field another premier team overseas with the amount of players having their OE, but we are fortunate in having a number of players ready to step up another level, and we continue to attract new -players to the club.
On 6-8 April, we look forward to welcoming past players, coaches and management from the 1971-76 era. Ron Evans and Frank Ryan have done a terrific job in organising this -reunion, which promises to be a great weekend.
The season commences on 31 March with the premiers, and senior 1s and 2s playing their first competition games. Your support at the games and the clubrooms after will ensure a good start to the season.

New coaches, managers to help out in 2001

The 2001 season sees a number of new faces on the coaching and management teams of the top two MSP teams as well as the return of an "older" face.

Assisting Peter Russell with the premiers this year will be Greg Halford. Greg, a sales executive with Lion Breweries, has an impressive rugby CV.

Educated at Dannevirke High School where he spent four years in the 1st XV, he went on to play 130 first class games for Hawkes Bay, Canterbury, Central Vikings and -Eastern Province in South Africa.

Greg was a NZ Colt for two years and an All Black trialist. Last season he played for Harlequins but doesn't like to be reminded about it.

While in Christchurch he was a coaching development officer with the CRFU. He has coached in South Africa and was player/coach in the Hawkes Bay.

Another Hawkes Bay product has been appointed premier manager. Dean O'Shaughnessy, from that prominent sporting family, takes over from Ruffy Mollo who is stepping down after nine years in which the premier team won four Jubilee Cups and five Swindale Shields.

Dean, a project accountant with the NZRFU, is a St Johns Hastings old boy. He played senior rugby for NapierOld Boys Marist and spent four years overseas playing for Midleton in Ireland and London Irish in England. Dean was also a top -cricketer who played for Hawkes Bay.

The club welcomes both Greg and Dean and wish them well for a successful and enjoyable season.

John Schuster to assist with senior 1s

An "older" face returning to MSP this year is the club's last All Black, John Schuster. John, or the "shue" as he is known, is joining Tony Meachen to coach the senior 1 team.

John has returned to Wellington -after stints with rugby league clubs Newcastle in Australia and Halifax in Britain.

John returned to rugby in 1998 when he played for Harlequins (the real Harlequins, not Greg Halford's one). This was a real All Black reunion with former All Black team mates John Gallagher, Bernie McCahill and Zinzan Brooke involved with Harlequins at that time.

During his time in league John was discovered as a goal kicker and currently has the records for most points in a season in England in both league and union - 367 for Halifax and 380 for Harlequins.

While this is John's first venture into coaching he has completed his first coaching papers and has aspirations to coach at a higher level.

John is a financial adviser with Crest Financial Brokers and would welcome any call from MSP members. He can be contacted on 025 231 1787.

Joining John, Tony and John Poutawera on the Senior 1 management team is Peter Montague. Peter has been appointed manager for the 2001 season.

His playing days were with the old Marist club before amalgamation. He was a flanker and played for the -senior team in the late 60s.

Peter has strong links with MSP being a long time member and regular follower of the clubÕs teams on Saturdays. His son, Tom, currently plays for the club in the 80/80 grade.

The club also welcomes John and Peter and wishes them every success this year.

Father Geoff awarded life membership

Marist St Pats club chaplain Father Geoff Broad is one of the club's great supporters.

He toured as chaplain with the Marist St Pats team in 1978 on their visit to the British Isles, France and Singapore - a tour which had a major influence in the development of our senior side which had 42 consecutive victories and was undefeated during 1979.

Father Geoff served on the club's management committee in 1979. He was club chaplain in 1980 until he was transferred to Auckland to be naval chaplain at the North Shore base.

He was involved with the newly formed North Harbour Union, but never lost the link with our club, continuing as a full financial member. On Saturday afternoons during the rugby season he would climb the hill near the naval base to tune his radio into Wellington to hear how Marist St Pats were progressing.

On his return in 1989 he was re-appointed club chaplain and has continued in that role to this day. His "Broadly Speaking" contribution to our 20th annual report showed his commitment to our club: "a word of thanks to my Onslow parishioners for the fact that, apart from once or twice, I was left free of marriage celebrant responsibilities during the club season just completed".

Despite his transfer from Khandallah to Upper Hutt, he seldom misses watching our teams every week. He is a regular attendee at all committee meetings, and has helped with the club's financial affairs and fund-raising activities. His love of our club is evident in his homilies at our annual Masses.

Geoff Broad continues to be a significant contributor to MSP's management and his wise counsel and steadying influence are highly -regarded around the administration table. His knowledge of the game, MSP players, and the way in which rugby is moving is also evident in any discussion with Geoff Broad; he discharges his chaplaincy duties with the same well-rounded approach he adopts to all challenges and tasks he is called upon to perform.

The Marist St. Pats' executive and indeed the club as a whole is most fortunate to have Father Broad's services. MSP management is proud and indeed privileged to be able to recommend to this AGM the elevation of Father Geoff Broad to the position of Life Member of Marist St Pats RFC.

MSP launches website

Marist St Pats went online in March with the launch of its new website, http://www.msprugby.co.nz.

Using the MSP crest plus rugby balls as graphics, the site features pages including club contacts, upcoming events, fixtures, junior rugby, merchandise, history, joining the club, facilities, results, the Red Machine newsletter, the Shamrock Club, and links to the NZRFU, the Wellington RFU, and NZ Marist.

Space has been left to include team profiles at a later date, and photos and results can be added on a regular basis.

The website will allow not only club members to keep up with club news and events, but also former members around New Zealand and overseas to stay in touch.

The site was designed by Fitzsimons Beckford, and will be maintained by Pat Martin.

Feedback on the site is invited - email msprugby@xtra.co.nz.

MSP players granted Massey scholarships

Marist St Pats has entered into an agreement with Massey University (Wellingon) to provide scholarships to selected club members.

The scholarships aim to develop both the sporting skills and the -careers of promising sports people. Congratulations to the following players who have been granted scholarships for 2001:

• Tim Cahill
• Soti Fa'amausili
• Johnathan Hopgood
• Richard Thurston
• John Paul Tocker
• Marc Soper

OLD TIMERS' DAY

Marist St Pats' teams will play Tawa on this year's Old Timers' Day, which will be on Saturday, April 21

The premiers and senior 1s will play at Rugby League Park at 3pm and 1.15 pm respectively.

Lunch is organised at the clubrooms for 12 mid-day, and a warm invitation is extended to all former players, coaches, and administrators.

CLUBROOMS CRECHE

A supervised creche for kids will operate at the clubrooms every Saturday from 5-8pm.

The creche needs playthings, so donations of old children's toys, books etc are very welcome. Donors can phone Geraldine Woods to have them collected (ph 389 3357)

JUNIOR RUGBY

Juniors prepare for kick off!

Daylight saving is finishing, temperatures are cooling, "7s" have been and gone, and Super 12 has started - must be time for another junior rugby season!

MSP junior rugby had another great year in 2000, with its famous MSP Sausage Sizzle, "Grandstand Gatherings" for big match viewing, and its End-of-Season function with rugby celebrities. So let's get going for 2001!

Registration forms are available from primary schools or from John Holden (ph 970 8949).

How the MSP Junior Club works
Commitment to Fair Play -Charter

The MSP Junior Club applies the -principles of the Hillary Commission's KiwiSport Fair Play Charter.

MSP supports the right of children to participate in sport regardless of age, ability, ethnic background or gender.

The club promotes fair play that sets a foundation for lifetime -physical activity and social development.

JOIN THE RUGBY STAIRWAY

Small Blacks - (touch rugby). Age 5-8
A simple, non-tackling introduction to rugby. 7 a-side teams.

Junior Black Rugby - (intro to tackle rugby). Age 9-10
Teams 10-12 a side, play across field. Correct tackle technique taught.

Super Black Rugby - (a step to full rugby). Age II-13
Teams 12-15 a-side, full field. Kicking options introduced. Two x 25-minute halves. Generous use of advantage law.

Junior support appreciated

While the junior club relies on players' subs it also wishes to recognise the support of:

• The Society of Mary (the Marists!)
• Kilbirnie Sportsworld
• The New World Eastern Suburbs Sports Trust
• Community Trust of Wellington
• Portable Fence Hire Ltd.

JUNIOR RUGBY CALENDAR

Monday 02 April MSP junior coaches and supporters meeting.

Tuesday 03 April WRFU Junior Rugby Smart Course - Introduction to Coaching, MSP Clubrooms, 6.30pm-8.30pm (compulsory for tackle coaches).

Saturday 07 April MSP Club Day - MSP clubrooms. Children 'n Coaches Day (first day of school holidays). Coaches to receive MSP coach information pack & team equipment. MSP junior coaches to confirm if playing in Coca-Cola 7s

Saturday 14 April School holidays - suggest tackle grade coaches have a training run (if not prior to this!) Saturday 21 April First round of junior games - all grades.

Sunday 22 April (Parents enjoy a sleep in).

Monday 23 April Associate referees' course, Petone Workingmen's Club 6.30pm. Small Black coaching - Under 5 to 8 years grades@Wests clubrooms

Thursday 26 April Small Black coaching - Under 5 to 8 years grades@Poneke, 6.30pm Saturday 28 April Second round of games - all grades.

Sunday 29 April Coke 7's Tournament, Fraser Park all day Wednesday 02 May Rugby Smart (Injury Prevention) - Certificate of Practical Rugby, @Wellington clubrooms 6.30pm.

Monday 07 May Associate referees' course - Petone Workingmen's Club, 6.30pm.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY