One team, one goal, one direction

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1 One team, one goal, one direction Issue 2 June UPCOMING EVENTS Manawatu Friday Night League Semi Finals Friday 5 July Grand Finals Friday 12 July To many, Rugby League is not just a sport; it s a way of life. It is a culture in its own right and has the ability to influence and teach its participants many skills which they can then take and integrate into their everyday life. Pastor Charlie Tuhua, from Dannevirke Tigers Rugby League Club, has not only embraced this philosophy in his own life but broadens the scope of his teaching practice by sharing it with others. In the first week of the term 1 school holidays, Tuhua ran the U17 Junior Education Training System Camp for the Dannevirke Tigers. The support and funding from local business owner Sharish Patel and Tararua Youth Community Services meant the players only had to pay minimal fees to participate. The programme included education around nutrition & health awareness and seminars on drug & alcohol abuse and domestic violence. The players were challenged to step outside of their comfort zone both physically and mentally. This programme not only benefits the players as individuals but as a team unit as well. The boys have come up with their own motto one team, one goal, one direction and they believe it this holistic programme has taken them out of their comfort zone but it s an investment in their future, said Tuhua. Amongst all of the various activities and seminars held over the week, the players were able to hone in on their rugby league skills with Alan Jackson, Coaching and Development Officer for Mid Central Rugby League, running skill sessions which allowed the players to focus and refine specific areas of their game which required development. Tuhua holistic approach to coaching is what we need to see more of. As coaches, especially to our youth, we need to be aware that we have a far greater influence on our players than sometimes we realize. Embrace the opportunity to make a positive change in the lives of our younger generations. The rugby league mantra is, it s more than a game, because we have the greatest influence on these young men now while they re playing, so we want to instill in them this isn t just about what happens on the field. Life skills and facing the challenges are an important aspect of coaching these days Where these young men end up in the future could come down the influences in their life now. Mind Mod Tournament Saturday 21 Sunday 22 July For grades U7, U9, U11 Isaac Luke Cup Saturday 27 Sunday 28 July Secondary Schools Knock Out Tournament Lightening League Tournament Sunday 28 July Secondary School girls 9-aside Tournament Taranaki Mini-Mod Closing day Sunday 7 July Hickford Park, Bell Block Day starts at 10.00am with 17 teams registered. The day will also include the semifinals for U13 s & U15 s, with kick off at 1.30pm Taranaki Junior Grades Finals Day Sunday 14 July Clifton Park, Waitara Competition finals for U13 s, U15 s and U17 s Mid Central Zone Upper Central U15 Tournament Monday 15 Tuesday 16 July Performance Camp Thursday 25 Friday 26 July Player Development Performance Camp for U15 and U17 players from Mid Central Zone. Attendance by selection only.

2 Mustangs come back to draw the Tri-Series On Sunday 16 th June the Manawatu Rugby League Mustangs went up against the Taranaki Sharks in the 2 nd of a 3 game series. Round 1 went to Taranaki in Hawera with the Sharks taking out both games. The under 17 s thrashed the MRL team and the seniors were piped at the post with a last minute conversion to seal the win. Manawatu with home ground advantage were keen to turn this around in the second games to ensure the series was kept alive in both grades and set up the series for a 3 rd game decider. The event was organized by the MRL board who in line with their strategic plan were focused on putting on a good day s rugby league that lifted the bar in all aspects of the product provided to participants on the day. This included Security on the gates and around the facility, medical people on site, smoke and alcohol free, a neutral referee from wellington with MRL referees sideline, cordoned off sideline to ensure no public on the field, match managers, food and beverage for players and public, player of the day prizes for players, pre and after game drinks for players, game videoed for analysis, Sonny Rata to compare the game, after match speeches and presentation. The day started with wet conditions that were never going to mean exciting running footy or a bumper crowd. Considering the conditions the crowd was good and the footy played exceptional. The under 17 s game was a hard fought affair with Manawatu scraping home Coach Grant Sundborn was proud of his team and how they turned around a heavy defeat to win on the day. Player of the day was Saxton Kennedy In the senior game the bigger Manawatu team dominated for most of the game and pulled away in the second half to win The skills and ball control shown by the players was not reflected in the wet and trying conditions. Some of the set plays were like watching NRL highlights, chip kicks from Corey Governor to outside backs that were caught on the full to enable the players to scamper down the field. Manawatu didn t over push their plays and played with patients to build pressure which allowed them to tire out the Taranaki team. The game was controlled by a Wellington Referee; with so much riding on this series Neutral referees were deemed necessary by the MRL and TRL. Coach John Tuala was very happy with the result and is now preparing for the 3rd and deciding game. The scene is now set for a 3 rd game decider in Palmerston North on the 3 rd August for both grades at Fitzherbert Park kick off 1pm and 2.30pm. The day is shaping up to be a highlight in the MRL calendar. The MRL board are focusing on this event and plan to stage one of the best days of League seen in the Manawatu for years, the board have a bar license for the day and will have food and alcohol for sale. The games will have security and be smoke and alcohol free (except for designated area). So lock into your calendar now this date and we will see you there for an awesome day of footy.

3 Waitara Bears 80 th Reunion In celebration of the Waitara Bears Rugby League Club 80 th Reunion, held over Queens Birthday Weekend, two senior games were organized and played to memorialize the occasion. The first game featured the old timers where the New Plymouth Police Masters matched up against the Waitara Bears Masters. The game even starred our very own Alan Jackson, who blew the dust off his boots and fronted on the field for the Police Masters team. The game was played with great comaraderie, with neither team surrendering until the final whistle. It was a well contested game, with both sides scoring two tries. However, there could be only one winner and Waitara managed to claim the victory, edging out Police masters with a single conversion and winning 10-8 on the final whistle. The second game saw Waitara Bears Premiers versus Taranaki Sharks squad. The Sharks showed their true class, and demonstrated why they are the chosen representatives of the District, beating Waitara convincingly The Waitara Teams played in a commemorative strip custom designed for the weekend s events. The jerseys were auctioned off later in the evening at the Cabaret, proving to be a great fundraiser, with a total of $13,000 in funds raised. Contacts Mid Central Rugby League General Manager: Lisa Reweti, lisa@nzrl.co.nz, Mid Central Rugby League Administration Officer: Ebony Low, ebony@nzrl.co.nz, Manawatu Rugby League: Lisa Reweti, lisa@nzrl.co.nz, Taranaki Rugby League: Jan Manu, jan@sporttaranaki.org.nz, Rugby League Hawkes Bay: Anaru Bartlett, anaru@nzrl.co.nz, Coaching Development: Alan Jackson, alan@sporttaranaki.org.nz,

4 Winter Competition in the Bay successful winter age grade competitions in each District has seen many players put up their hand to be noticed and has also helped those players who are serious about their Rugby League career get the exposure they deserve. Rugby League Hawkes Bay established and held its first Winter Junior Rugby League competition in 10 years in the region, with the emphasis on this competition to give the junior age grades the opportunity the make the District representative side, Hawkes Bay Unicorns, and enter a team in the Mid Central Inter-District Tri-series against Manawatu Mustangs and Taranaki Sharks. After convincing victories over Manawatu Mustangs for both our U15 and U17 teams 2 weeks ago, it is evident that there is a lot of talent yet to be discovered in the Hawkes Bay region. Historically, they have always played their Rugby League competition over the spring to avoid clashes with other winter sports codes and to ensure maximum participation numbers. The downside to not holding a winter competition meant the players often missed out on selection for representative sides. By establishing a winter competition it encouraged the players, especially those that have potential for higher honors, to take the game more seriously and there is plenty of incentive with the potential to make representative sides for the District and the Zone as well as selection for Zonal and National Performance Development Camps. The Zone s efforts to establish This year Hawkes Bay had 3 teams enter in each of their U13, U15 and U17 grades. The competition ran over 6 weeks with the Unicorn squads being named at the end. It was a struggle at the start but the interest and support were there, and in turn the participation numbers grew each week and the fields slowly started to fill. The finals ended with Outkast Blue defeating Outkast White in the U13 grade, Outkast defeating Te Awhina Knights in the U15 and Flaxmere Falcons defeating Te Awhina Knights in the U17. All the feedback from both the players and the supporting community has been positive and is a great indication that this competition is something that will only grow in future seasons. The Unicorns campaign is currently under way and is the next step in preparation for our Mid Central Vipers who will go on to compete in the National Competition later this year. Good luck to all the players contending for a spot in our Zone squads.

5 PHOTO GALLERY What a tremendous turn out we have had this year. We have 33 boys and girls registered and five of them are 4 years old. The other clubs accommodate us by playing 8-10 aside, 4 x 10 minute quarter games. They have been great. Don't be surprised if you see some of these faces in years to come. We have some talented players here. Enjoy the rest of the season. Vicki Kingi Hawkes Bay Junior Winter competition Taranaki Sharks vs. Manawatu Mustangs U17 s game one. Mid Central Rugby League s very own Alan Jackson. Alan was a member of the Police Master Team that played against Waitara Bears Premier side earlier this year. Alan Jackson showing ruck technique at Dannevirke U17 s JETS Camp Taranaki Sharks vs. Manawatu Mustangs Premiers game one. Waitara Premiers vs. Police Masters