LONG BAY COLLEGE RUGBY DEVELOPMENT TOUR TO AUSTRALIA

LONG BAY COLLEGE RUGBY DEVELOPMENT TOUR TO AUSTRALIA

From the 6th to the 15th of April 2012 a Long Bay College (LBC) Rugby Development Squad will be touring Australia. Three games are to be played in-and-around Sydney, specifically in Manly and two games in Bathurst.

In 2009 LBC took a Rugby Development Squad on a pre-season tour to Fiji. The tour was the catalyst in galvinising the team and in that year the team succeeded to win the 1B 1st XV final against Glenfield at the North Harbour Stadium. In 2012 the LBC 1st XV has similar aspirations and for this reason will take another Rugby Development Squad to Australia. It also forms part of a 5-year plan with the intent on becoming a serious contenderin the North Harbour Rugby Union Secondary Schools A-Competitions.
The Touring Party Steering Committee (TPSC) determined that the cost for the 10-day Rugby Development tour to Australia would amount to no more than $1500 per player. If we manage to raise $45 000 it would be possible to take a squad of 30 players on tour.
The players and parents have been actively raising funds through a number of projects and in doing so have raised in excess of $12 000 to date. These initiatives will continue through until lateFebruary 2012.
It is certainly not the intention to take a LBC 1st XV Rugby Team on tour – it is fundamentally a development squad consisting out of 1st and 2nd team players as well as a number of talented, younger 4th grade players. It is essentially about developing LBC players for the future and reaching towards aspirational yet realistic goals:

1. Developing a growing LBC rugby culture: LBC does not have a strong rugby culture and due to relatively small base of player numbers it is a struggle to field 2 senior teams into the North Harbour competitions annually. The Rugby Development Tour to Australia will certainly contribute towards greater visibility of rugby at LBC and ultimately it will have a regional impact by growing the strength of rugby in the North Harbour domain.
2. Building a cohesive team spirit: The experiences of the 2009 Fiji tour certainly created a cohesive and winning team spirit. It is anticipated that future tours will similarly build a cohesive team spirit and ultimately facilitate true bonding amongst the rugby players.
3. In support of less priviliged players: The TPSC decided to take at least 3 players from less priviliged financial support structures on the Rugby
4. Development tour to Australia. These identified talented players would need to be fully funded as they would otherwise not have been in a position to experience the team-building and culturally enriching value of such a tour.
5. Links with Kinross Wolaroi in Bathurst: LBC hosted Kinross Wolaroi School earlier this year in a tightly contested 10-all draw. This Rugby Development Tour will form part of a bi-annual tour across the Tasman between the two schools and is therefore strongly supported by the LBC Principal, Russell Brooke, and the LBC Rugby Club Committee.
6. e. Developing players through Rugby Clinics: The TPSC intends to arrange 2 specialized Rugby Clinics between games over the duration of the tour in Australia. It is our intention to secure the services of a senior Australian rugby coach and a prominent rugby player to work on the skills-base of the LBC players during these Rugby Clinics.
7. f. Nothing fancy, just a shoe-string budget: The Rugby Development Squad is gladly satisfied with the minimum in terms of travel, accommodation and meals. The team will stay at Backpacker Lodges and all meals will be self-catered.
8. Certainly not a holiday, just serious about rugby: Whilst the cultural experience will be significant, it is all about rugby. The tour schedule has little opportunity for social activity, but plenty of focus on skills development and galvanishing a team for the 2012 North Harbour Rugby Season.

The TPSC anticipates that it will raise around $30 000 through its own fund raising efforts, and it is hoping to source the additional $15 000 through sponsorships and donations. Your considered contribution towards our efforts would be greatly valued and sincerely appreciated.  Sponsor Form

Three LBC staff members will be joining the touring party:

• Dean Thompson (LBC Teacher in Charge of Rugby),
• Lester Dallow (Property Manager) and
• Cathi Fourie (International Office).

If you have any queries you are more than welcome to contact the TPSC Chair, Leon de W Fourie, at lfourie@unitec.ac.nz or on 021655270.

Best regards
Leon de W Fourie
TPSC Chair and LBC 1st XV Coach