With the Premiers making the Gallaher Shield Final you can't complain to much about our season. With how 2010 is shaping up we are looking good on the field. Remembering this is a club for the players run by the players, we getting back on track after a few years in the under brush.

On the field
This year the registered players and helpers were the following

• 17 Administrators
• 36 Coaches and Managers
• 229 Junior players (57 down on 2008)
• 322 Senior players (94 more than 2008)

This year was a better year for the senior club, as mentioned we made the Gallaher Shield Final, but it must be said that we can
only be a strong and successful club if all the grades are strong. The senior teams finished their respective competitions in the
following positions.

Under 85 kg
The Under 85 grade is played in three rounds Championship, Plate and Bowl and the teams finished in the following positions.

Shooters Won Plate final vs. the Varsity Legends 11th overall

Lions Championship round finished - 9th overall

Legends Runners up to the Shooters in the Plate Final 12th overall

The 2009 Legends season was an up and down season. Once again we were fortunate to have a big player base to pick from registering over 50 players at the start of the season. Another mention to our supporters who came to all our games, wives, girl friends , parents, mates and James Oliver we look forward to seeing everyone again next year.

BaaBaas Bowl - 24th (last)

Under 21 5th
Solid season that ended in a disappointing fashion losing in a quarter final. Developed some quality talent for higher honours and the clubs premier team. Defence was the highlight of the year, with the team finishing second in the competition on defence.
A new coaching team has been appointed to the Under 21s for 2010 headed by Jim Dicken from Kings College

Under 19 15th out of 17 teams
This team really struggled this year due to lack of numbers. We have spent a good amount of time recruiting new players for this grade.

Simon Craig will continue to coach the Under 19 for the 2010 year.

Premier Reserves 2009 - finished 9th
The Premier Reserves team of 2009 had set high standards and goals that the players and management were aspiring to achieve. Unfortunately we were not able to fulfil these expectations but the talented players selected believed in the goals set and their attitudes never waned as we experienced tough times during the year. We contributed a number of players to the Premier team and their skills and commitment was reflected through promising performances.

Gareth, Richard and Danny will continue to coach the Reserves for 2010

Premiers 2009 - 2nd
At the start of the 2009 season that was the goal, to make the quarter final (top 8), semi final (top 4), contest and win the Gallaher shield and we came painstakingly close.
Murray has a special thanks to all whose who helped with the premier team this year without your help we would not have achieved what we did.

Murray and Jason will continue to coach the premier side in 2010

New Zealand Universities USA Tour Jan 2010
A squad of 25 players selected from the nine university rugby clubs around the country will be touring California from late December 2009 to mid January 2010. Games will be played against the following teams: USA Under 20's, Canada Under 20's, San Diego State University and San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club

Congratulations to AURFC players for being selected
Alex Tuala
Tuikolovatu
Junior Manase

To keep up to date with the tour, click on the following link for the tour blog.
http://www.kickandchase.blogspot.com

Auckland Rugby Football Union Awards
Congratulations to the following Varsity men for either winning or being nominated for an award.

2009 Under 85kg Sevens Tournament Result:
Thank you to all the teams that participated in the inaugural New Zealand Under 85kg Sevens Tournament,
sponsored by Speight's.

We continue to work on our strategic plan and our four key areas are the same as last year and we believe to be the most important within the club environment at the present time.

• Financial and Business Excellence
• Participation, Recruitment and Retention of Players
• Rugby Excellence
• Social Environment

Our website has continued to grow and we are averaging around 70,000 hits a month check it out at www.aurfc.co.nz

Robert Taylor has had a year under his belt as our club Rugby Director and has done an amazing job in recruiting players for the 2010 year. We share the same vision and philosophy for the club and I thank Robert for his commitment and dedication to a great club.

The AURFC training academy is under way again with players training Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night in the gym at the Tamaki Recreation Centre. The elite players named above also

• Training: Weights & Speed
• Nutrition: Personal diet plan and education
• Goal Setting

The AURFC sevens team is back for the 2009/10 season and we hope to see some silverware in the cupboard.

The Shooters were welcomed to the club this year and we believe they fitted right into the Varsity way.

Touch
Robert Taylor and Paul Lindsay have done a fantastic job in getting a 44 team touch tournament going for this season over Wednesday and Thursday nights. The competition is becoming a very successful and enjoyed by all. Good to see some "older" guys getting in to it.

Prize Giving
Prize giving was again successful this year with a good turnout from all teams.