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.
Its 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 its
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 Zealands 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 Zealands
Rugby World will offer historical, cultural and
social reflections on the place and future of rugby in
this country.
Speakers will explore rugbys 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!
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 llamas,
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 7s 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)
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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
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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 youre really at University.
Website: http://web.ausa.auckland.ac.nz
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