2010 ANNUAL REPORT - AllTeams

RePoRt fRom the old boyS & SuPPoRteRS aSSociationOn the FieldThere can be little doubt that the winning of the GallaherShield for the seventh time in succession was the highlightof this season. Added to that the two championships wonby the schoolboys and the fact that various other teamsmade the quarter and semi-fi nals made for a very successfulseason on the fi eld.The challenge for the coming season will be quite differentwith the club’s participation in the World Cup.The FutureOur stay at the Point Chevalier Bowling Club was verypleasant and they were great hosts and accommodatedus wonderfully well but there is nothing like being in yourown home. The refurbishing of the clubrooms, new lightsand a brand new rugby fi eld all makes for an exciting 2011season.A newly formed committee has been considering the layoutof the new rooms, which are substantially increased in size,and will allow for more displays of the wonderful memorabiliathe club has in its possession. The fi rst plans look fabulousand our club will again be right up there with the best as faras accommodation is concerned.The future will bring many changes. There are rumours ofseveral of the most important offi ces in the club becomingvacant after the World Cup and I trust that the ManagementCommittee is busy fi nding possible replacements for thosepositions.Here comes a challenge for rejuvenation in particular in theOld Boys and Supporters. I took over from Alan Boyd assecretary in 1988 and since then we have just continuedwithout any great innovations. I feel that our Old BoysAssociation is nowhere near as vibrant as those of otherclubs and look to the very near future to see some of ourmore recent Senior players take an active part and give thisold fellow some rest after 22 years - someone with the energyto chase up retired players and sign them up as members;someone who can take our association into the 21st century.Craig Partridge is a tireless worker for both the club and ourassociation but cannot do it all by himself.Our NameCes Williams asked me to prepare a Notice of Motion tochange the name of the club.Apparently both the New Zealand and the Auckland Unionhave dropped the word Football from their name after thatword was taken over by soccer. My appeal to members withthis suggestion resulted in seven replies, a pretty poor resultfrom about 135 newsletters.I gave two suggestions: “Ponsonby Rugby Club” or“Ponsonby District Rugby Club”. Three suggested “ThePonsonby Rugby Club”, two voted for the second option ofleaving the word District in and two for the status quo.Thank YouThe Old Boys have again distributed boxes of chocolatesto our widows and elder members and we express our verysincere thanks to PAK ‘N SAVE Mount Albert who haveagain sponsored the cost of those. A very considerabledonation! Please support them by buying the cheapestgroceries in Auckland there.Phil AdrianChairmanOBITUARIESDuring the past season we lost ALAN BOYD.The notice in the newspaper stated that there would notbe a funeral at Alan’s request but friends and family wouldgather informally at his RSA.Alan played Senior rugby for Ponsonby in 1945 and 1946.He also played one game for Auckland against Bay of Plentyin 1946. He was secretary of the Old Boys Association formany years until 1988, and did a great job.He organised a dinner for all those Ponsonby players whohad played for the Auckland Union. It must have been atremendous task to track down all those guys.I cannot remember the year but do remember that it was agreat occasion with very many notable rugby personalitiesin attendance.In July we lost AVA LEWIS COUGHLAN, known to us allas Biddy.During the Second World War she was secretary of theLadies Committee. This committee kept the club goingduring the war years when so many of the men were awayfi ghting for the freedom we now enjoy.Some years ago we had a little ceremony when she handedover the minutes of that committee to the Old Boys forsafekeeping. I can assure you that they will make greatreading for future historians.She and husband Rangi (married for 63 years) were regularattendees at Old Boys functions.Biddy’s funeral was attended by many of the older Ponsonbymembers.Our condolences go out to the family members of both thesePonsonby stalwarts who did so much for our club.6 Ponsonby District Rugby Football Club (Inc.)