Rugby with Lineout

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 15, 8 September 1987, Page 20

Rugby with Lineout

This season the administration had its ups and downs but they are confident that President, Bill Harding will lead a strong committee after the next Annual General Meeting. Coach Robbie Manson has indicated at the beginning of the season that he will not be available for coaching duties next season, his priority next season is to watch his primary school aged son at Saturday morning rugby. However he will still be with Ohakune-KarioLrugby in some capacity next season. Raetihi had a quiet season, the Committee ach-

ieved very little but ran as smoothly as it could. It is said that they need an injection or two and probably a committee made up of old and young ... experience and enthusiasm ... an interesting recipe. The Senior team came under a barrage of criticism often for their rugby style, their lack of support towards their coach, practices and turnouts for the game. That all-too-often attitude of "this is how they've always done it here in Raetihi rugby" was their only fault. No one can say that they didn't have team spirit or club spirit, I have not seen better. Coach Les Parr deserved my admiration as coach, he worked hard and spent a lot of time for the team and I always try to remember that he, like many others, are coaching out of the goodness of their hearts. When players start to realise that "the Coach is doing them a favour by being there", rather than "they are doing the Coach a favour by being there" especially in these country areas, then we can expect to see improvement of rugby in this region. There are probably many other reasons why Oha-kune-Karioi and Raetihi Seniors did not do so well this season. Lack of commitment, other interests and high travel costs are some of the reasons but these are the sacrifices a player must accept if he loves to play the game. Senior Reserve rugby was strong, certainly entertaining as was Under-19 rugby. College rugby had its ups and downs but they never gave in once the game got going. A bouquet to the local referees, first-aid men, supporters and ladies who helped out at the aftergame functions and to those who provided me with the results of the games. Roll on the 1988 rugby season.