2010 ANNUAL REPORT - AllTeams

for any chance of the semis but we played out the rest of the season and evensqueezed in a few more socials for our end of year trip.We finished off the season with a road trip down to play the Te Rapa club inHamilton. A few of the boys headed off a day earlier to go “sight seeing” inMatamata and turned up to the game looking a bit seedy, but ready to play.The JAFA boys turned it on and a great game of running rugby was on displayfor the locals. Razor was at his running best from number 8, backed up withthe scavenging skills of Stan “Lazarus” and the damaging hits from Joey“Bachio”. Our converted flanker to winger Yandal earned himself the nicknamethe “Chiropractor”, and Tami and Enga were carving all day at the back. Thegame was a back and forth encounter but we were able to squeak past a veryproud and talented Te Rapa team in a bruising encounter. Player of the daywent to Razor and Yandall for their outstanding performance in the forwardsand backs. Special thanks to Vinnie and Ula for organising the trip and Paulfor the accommodation in Matamata.Overall I am very proud of the boys this season battling though all the adversityand for never giving up even when that seemed the only option. Congratulationsto the new boys and their own personal development this year. I hope to seeeveryone in 2011 for another season of hard tackles, damaging runs andmean courties!No Ezy!!Liam AfituCoach/ManagerUnder 19The season started with a thirty two man squad but as the season progressed thisnumber dwindled to twenty four very talented and committed players. The Under19s won two of their three pre-season games and commenced the first round ofthe competition with a strong commitment to game winning strategies and ongoingdevelopment of player skills. The team then went on to win their first two gameswith winning margins of between 10 to 28 points. However, the following elevengames was a mix of six wins and five losses – one win with a margin of 42 points.These losses were only to strengthen the team’s resolve to stay focused on gameplans, and we were able to complete the first round in fourth place with 40 points. Aloss and draw in the championship round took the Under 19s out of contention forthe championship, however it was a very successful season for them scoring 288points for, with 193 against. In conclusion the whole team played with exceptionalenthusiasm and sportsmanship and on behalf of their coaches and managementwe wish them a successful future with the Ponsonby Rugby Club.A thank you to Tanya Browne and Ryan Leyland for their generous contribution tothe injury management and pre-game strapping of the players, Ian Derbidge forhis compering our Quiz night and assisting with our fund raising efforts. Thank youto the parents and other supporters who attended our quiz nights and supportedthe team throughout the season. I commend the three coaches Hugh Heeney, JoeFa’aiu and Neil Hamilton for their outstanding coaching skills and their commitmentto the team. On behalf of the team I thank Co-manager Tony White for his organizingskills and maintaining good game and practice night attendances. I also commendall of the Under 19 players for their game skills, consistently good attendances atpractice and Saturday games and their on and off field humour. From all of theteam and coaches we thank Horleys and the New Zealand Community Trust fortheir generous funding allocation to the team account.FilliesThe 2010 Ponsonby Fillies squad could be deemed the team of survivors.Women’s rugby is definitely struggling in relation to recognition, player recruitmentand player ability to commit. One just needs to look at the obstacles our womenplayers need to overcome to be able to make trainings and games. The majorityof the team sacrifice time with families, study, and even income. With the socialeconomic downturns women rugby players are more susceptible than any otherplayer group. The better the New Zealand economy is the greater the ability forwomen to participate in rugby. I applaud our team in being able to turn up weekin and week out.Our first team goal was to make the top 5. We were able to achieve this despitenumerous serious injuries and justified team departures along the way in keypositions (the likes of Cathy Fa’asee Parry, Vienna James, Kelvery Longopoa,Nora Maaka, Jamie Caldwell, Bianca Aiono and Nati Aniseko, all with resumesas experienced campaigners and high abilities). Having lost players of this calibreand skill level could cripple a team and cause it to forfeit games in the comingchampionship rounds. This was never an option and we always managed to notonly turn up but to compete.We surprised our opposition with the pure tenacity to still compete. An exampleof the team’s sheer fight could be in one game against Marist with their BlackFern dominated pack - our forward pack was able to compete against them inthe scrums with only 7 players but we even dared to push them back.For a time our team’s fortunes seemed to have changed with the arrival of KazClayton. Kaz Clayton has a phenomenal playing background. She was a valuableasset to the team until she succumbed to a back injury. We did get back a few ofour injured players i.e. Vienna James, Nora Maaka and Jamie Caldwell towardsthe end. Our injury count would have been even higher if it was not for our teamphysio Didi O’Sullivan. She tirelessly strapped and mended our players. Herdedication to the players’ welfare and safety was first class.We did not win the championship, however we did have a few personal wins whichneed to be celebrated: Linda Itunu, being part of the Black Ferns who broughtthe World Cup home; Aldora Itunu, Ella Blackwell, and Vasi Moala for making theAuckland Storm team; and Contessa Wright for making the Auckland SecondarySchools Team. Outstanding achievements by all involved.Praise and thanks need to also go to a core group of players who, with thosementioned above, held the team together through the really tough times: HinewaiPomare, Tups Tumuenua, Sarah Jade Holland, Elizabeth Motu, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Emmeline Croft and Tuala To’o. Your dedication is second to noneand your service to not only the club but the game is appreciated. A heartfeltthank you goes to you all and your families for being able to do so every week.New-comers Danielle Rosales and Wendy Greatbatch - awesome effort in yourfirst year. I also need to acknowledge all of the various players who came andwent during the season - thank you for helping out.Thank you to Steve Collins co-coach, Shahida and Kim Kwok managers andour rowdy bunch of loyal supporters. Special mention goes to Ian Derbidge andBryan Williams for all their help throughout the season.I wish the team all the best in the future. May you have a safe festive seasonwith whanau and friends.Semi TuigamalaCoachHugh MunroCo-manager2010 ANNUAL REPORT31