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Growing University Rugby & Sport

An interview with the University of Auckland Director of Sport & Recreation – Louis Rattray
By Todd Nicholls

Although AURFC has always been proud of its academic connections, relations between the club and the University of Auckland have not always been as strong as they could have been.

That situation has changed in recent years with both the club and the University determined to strengthen links and to provide an easy gateway for students wanting to fulfill their rugby potential.

A major reason for the improvement in the relationship is the good work of Robert Taylor from the club and Louis Rattray, the Director of Sport & Recreation, from the University. Louis, who has been in his role for one year, says that much of the work in fostering this relationship was done before he arrived, although it has been an ongoing thing.

“From our perspective we are certainly pleased with the way things have been going,” he says. “What we are trying to achieve is both parties working towards common goals and have more students participating as well as succeeding at the highest levels of the game.”

Robert agrees with Louis sentiments and adds that “The University is central to our heritage and culture, we cannot forget that, but the relationship constantly needs to be fostered and is ultimately our point in difference.” Louis is slowly building a very exciting sporting culture at the University, that will compliment and ultimately enhance the University's position as 'New Zealand's leading university' and we are right behind him.”

Louis says that the numbers of students playing rugby at the club are on the rise, helped no end by the championship victory of the under-21 side this season. “Being a University team, most of the players had links to the University itself and so that has been very helpful in growing numbers.”

Louis says he can see the club and the University working closely on a number of initiatives in future, particularly the inter-faculty tournament at the University and tapping in more generally to the student community.

“It’s a win-win situation for both the club and the university,” Louis says. “Rugby, like all sports, provide many benefits to the student community outside of study and so if this relationship can continue to be fostered then the club itself will get more student players and the University will meet many of it’s Campus Life objectives around student participation, engagement and support.”
Louis says he is determined to foster good relations with not only rugby, but other sports on campus. Over the next 12 months initiatives which develop the likes of badminton,, volleyball and basketball on campus will be explored with the University clubs. “The University cannot of course focus solely on one sport. It is our aim to ensure that the top 10 sports at the local secondary schools are strong on campus.”

Louis says that the success of high profile club members such as Jerome Kaino and Graham Henry cannot but help recruitment from the University and that the future of University rugby looks extremely bright.

University of Auckland Interfaculty Rugby Tournament 2011

Register for the 2011 University of Auckland Interfaculty Rugby Tournament. Nine faculties are competing for the prestigous Sir Wilson Whineray Trophy. The tournament commences on the 13th of August and concludes on the 8th of October. A tournament team will be selected to play a Waikato University XV on the 22nd of October.

Click on the following link to register: www.universitysport.auckland.ac.nz

You must be a University of Auckland student to participate in the tournament.

2011 Winter Lectures at The University of Auckland on “New Zealand’s Rugby World”
19 July-23 August, 1-2pm

What role does rugby play in New Zealand and where is the game heading?

Drawing on scholars inside and outside the University, this Winter Lecture series on “New Zealand’s Rugby World” will offer historical, cultural and social reflections on the place and future of rugby in this country.

Speakers will explore rugby’s impact on our lives as players, fans and indifferent bystanders; as women, Maori and Pacific Islanders; and as leaders and professionals engaged in the game. The lectures conclude with Chris Laidlaw, Radio New Zealand National host, author and former All Black, talking on “The future of rugby”.

The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September and October provides this unique opportunity to critically engage with what is, grudgingly or otherwise, recognised as our “national game”. No other sport has been so exhaustively agonised over by New Zealanders.

The series of six weekly lectures starts on 19 July. Full details are on the Winter Lectures website: www.auckland.ac.nz/winter

University of Auckland Business School celebrates RWC with special screening

Share in one of the greatest moments in All Black history
Bring the family and join fellow alumni, staff and friends for an outdoor screening of the first Rugby World Cup final in 1987. Spoiler: New Zealand won the match against France 29-9 at Eden Park.

TVNZ sports journalist Peter Williams will give a short introduction to the game and special guest Alan Whetton, All Black flanker from the winning 1987 team, will also join us.

Bring your own refreshments, grab one of our luxury beanbags and kick back to watch the match on the big screen. Rain won't stop play: If it is wet, we will relocate to Level 0 in the Owen G Glenn Building.

Tickets for this event are free. However, you must book and bring your tickets to the event. All ticket holders will go in the draw to win one of two University of Auckland Rugby Club jerseys.

Event details:
Date: Sunday 27 March 2011
Time: 7.30pm for 8pm kick-off
Venue: The University of Auckland Business School
John Hood Plaza
Owen G Glenn Building
12 Grafton Road
Auckland

Book your FREE tickets https://secure.business.auckland.ac.nz/1987AllBlacksVsFrance

Interfaculty Rugby Final Result

The Faculty of Engineering have confirmed their claim to the Sir Wilson Whineray Cup, winning the 2010 Interfaculty Rugby Tournament. In a rematch of the 2009 inaugural rugby tournament final, the Mighty River Power Engineering Eagles got their retribution, beating the Ernst & Young Commerce Cougars in a closely fought game, 20-19. "It was good to get some revenge back for last year's loss in the final. The team has put in a lot of hard work over the last two months and we're happy that the hard work has paid off" says Eagles coach, Graham Bougen. "Over half the team will be back again next year to ensure the trophy stays on the right side of Grafton Road for another year".

The significance of the win and the effort involved was not lost on Professor Michael Davies, Dean of Engineering – present
among the 300 spectators at Colin Maiden Park.“I am delighted that, having lost a close fought final against Commerce in 2009,
Engineering came through an equally tight game against the same team to win this year,” the Dean said. “Both sides should be congratulated for the total commitment they displayed in the game.”

In the two matches that preceded the final, Property won the Plate Final, beating the Faculty of Science 22-17, while Education took third place overall, beating the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 20-15
.
The results and the nature of the competition highlight a growing enthusiasm for sport at the University, from participants and spectators alike."Today's games and the supporters that came along, both students and staff, were treated to some great games of rugby" said Sports Manager, Tim Brightwell. "The rugby tournament, and the Sports Tournament programme overall, have been great at creating competitive interfaculty rivalries that make the tournament that much more exciting to take part in, either as a player or as a supporter" The tournament forms part of the wider Interfaculty Sports Tournament programme, with the overall winner to be announced before the end of semester.

University of Auckland Alumni XV and 2011 John Drake Memorial Scholarship Recipient Announced

All Blacks of past, present and, potentially, future teams gathered for an event at The University of Auckland on Wednesday evening.
The University of Auckland Alumni Association, in partnership with the University Rugby Football Club, held the event to celebrate the University's sporting achievements by announcing a squad of Alumni All Blacks – a team consisting of former students and graduates of the University, who have played rugby for New Zealand.
"This is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of some of our students and graduates. It highlights a strong dedication and commitment not only to academic pursuits but to sporting endeavours as well" said Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon.

At the event, hosted by Peter Montgomery MBE, guests included current All Black coach, Graham Henry, who spoke about the All Blacks impending northern hemisphere tour and answered questions from the audience.
The Alumni All Blacks team, announced by former All Blacks coach John Hart who serves as the teams coach and selector, includes All Blacks from recent squads to players who made their debut as far back as 1928.

Sir Wilson Whineray, who has played 45 games and 32 tests for the All Blacks, was named as the captain of the team, which includes Bryan Williams, Grahame Thorne, Michael Jones, Andy Haden and the late John Drake.
The second recipient of the John Drake Memorial Fund – a scholarship awarded to a Year 13 student who excels academically and on the rugby field - was also announced last night.

The winner, SeanBrookman, is a Year 13 student at Mt Albert Grammar School. He is the second Mt. Albert Grammar School pupil to be awarded the fund, following on from the inaugural recipient, Matthew Matich.
Sean, a lock forward, acknowledges that although John Drake's playing career was before his time, it's clear that John has left behind a great legacy.

"Although I am a bit young to remember John Drake, what I've found out about him and what I've heard, tell me that he was a well respected man on the field, in the business world and among his peers" says Sean.

"It's a great honour to receive the scholarship and I can think of no other person whose achievements, reputation and character I would rather emulate"

The University of Auckland Alumni All Blacks Starting XV 

Gerald Kember; Bryan Williams; Grahame Thorne; Tony Davies; Malcolm Dick; Nicky Allen; David Kirk; Lawrie Knight; John Graham; Michael Jones; Peter Whiting; Andy Haden; Wilson Whineray; John Mills; John Drake

University of Auckland Interfaculty Rugby

Registrations are open for Interfaculty Netball and Rugby in the second semester. Keen to get involved, just head to www.auckland.ac.nz/sport and register online.

This year's teams are:
Arts
Commerce
Health and Medical Sciences
Education
Science
Engineering
Property
Law

The competition kicks off on the 14th of August at Colin Maiden Park and concludes on the 9th of October. 

Student Rugby HARD!

Stanford University Match 

On Tuesday the 22nd of June AURFC and the University of Auckland(UoA) hosted matches against the Stanford Men's and Women's rugby team. The games were played at the home of Auckland University rugby, Colin Maiden Park. 

The results were:
AURFC Invitational Womens XV 14 v Stanford Womens 20
AURFC UoA Barbarians 29 v Stanford Men 22

The day was a fine celebration of international student rugby. A special acknowledgement to Anita Harris for organising the womens rugby team (maybe the first ever AURFC womens team?) and Tim Brightwell for organising the aftermatch reception at the Fale Pasifika on the UoA City Campus. 

More photos from the match in the photo section.

 

University of Auckland Under 85kg Team- Represent your University. 

Play in the Under 85kg student team this year. Training is at the Domain at 5.30pm. 

Games start in April and are played every Saturday. More social than serious, some good footy and a few pints after the match at the home of University rugby at Colin Maiden Park.

International game: v Stanford University(USA) - 22nd June at Colin Maiden Park.

Email: robert.taylor@aurfc.co.nz
Never too late to join. Varsity HARD!

 

University of Auckland 2009 Interfaculty Final - Highlights

The National Bank of New Zealand - Interfaculty Rugby Final

What a tournament!
The Inaugural interfaculty rugby tournament, sponsored by National Bank, was played at Colin Maiden park over the last few months, with 5 teams competing over 6 matchdays to take away the Wilson Whineray Trophy. The teams, representing Engineering, Commerce, Medicine, Law and Property, played off in round robin play with Engineering and Commerce establishing themselves as the teams to beat in the tournament. Each team brought different styles to the tournament, whether it be the forward dominated play of the Engineering Eagles, the strong running backlines of the Commerce Cougars or the Law llama’s, the decisive kicking of the Property Pirates or the all around strong play from the Med School Sea Bass.

The tournament played out with the excitement that only varsity rugby can bring to the pitch, with extra time wins and heart-breaking losses, fast flowing backline moves and strong forward drives, big score lines and nail biting finishes. The competition was tight with law, medicine, commerce and engineering tied heading into the final round of pool play that would decide who was going to make it to the finals. As the tournament progressed, so did the crowds coming out to cheer on their teams - with each faculty bringing their own unique support crew to show why they were the best of the faculties.

Commerce and Engineering met in the finals, with Commerce winning 40 - 22. Property and Law played off for third and fourth, with the property team coming away with a well earned 27 - 10 win. Commerce Cougars picked up the majority of the end of season awards, with a large contingent of the team making the tournament side, and Vin McDonald being named the MVP of the final.

The tournament, sure to become an annual event, was a great opportunity for the students of the University to see first hand the varsity spirit which has made the club famous and many of them are already going into training preparing for the 7’s competition in the new year. The player from property who streaked the final added a good Varsity touch too.

Congratulations to the Ernst & Young Commerce Cougars for winning the inaugural Wilson Whineray trophy. In a convincing victory at Colin Maiden Park 'the home of student rugby in Auckland' , the Cougars won very convincingly against the Mighty River Power Engineering Eagles.

Mr Whineray was there to present the trophy.

3rd/4th Playoff: Seagar and Partner property pirates 27 - 10 Martelli McKegg Law

Wilson Whineray Trophy Final: Ernst & Young Commerce cougars 40 - 22 Mighty River Power Engineering Eagles

The Player of the final & Tournament: Vin McDonald (Commerce)

The Tournament team
1. Sebastian McLarin (Commerce)
2. Joe Sefo (Commerce)
3. Ash Lomberg (Commerce)
4. Samuel Rosser (Commerce)
5. Kyle Rolland (Engineering)
6. James Gill (Commerce)
7. Korey Te Hira (Commerce)
8. Simon Jager (Engineering)
9. Alyx Hodgson (Engineering)
10. Vin MacDonald (Commerce)
11. Bryce Time (Commerce)
12. Eroni Ali (Commerce)
13. Eddy Washer (Property)
14. Scott "Muffin" Mcllroy (Property)
15. Cody Mackie (Property)
16. Angus Taavo (Law)
17. Jake Vermont (Property)
18. Mike O'Connell (Property)
19. Blair James (Property)
20. Jean Caucaus (Law)
21. Michael Peters (Law)
22. Mike the Canadian (Medicine)

Auckland University Recreation Centre - Gym Memberships

The recreation/gym centre at Auckland University is running a special for all Auckland University Rugby Club Members.

  • For a student membership, you will get a 5% discount.
  • For non student memberships, you can get a 10% discount.

All prices and further information is on their website.
Website: www.auckland.ac.nz/recreation
   

AUSA

The Auckland University Students’ Association was formed in 1891. Since then AUSA has endeavoured to represent and to advocate for students at the University of Auckland as well as providing an extensive range of services for the wider student community. AUSA is run by students, for students, enabling you to get on with why you’re really at University.
Website: http://web.ausa.auckland.ac.nz