Annual Report 2011

The 2011 season may not have produced the Premierships we all strive for but it will be remembered for the year we set the platform for our future success.

The season was such a roller coaster ride at times with inconsistent performances across all grades. Given the bumper crop of Under 18's coming up into the senior ranks and the playing group still adjusting to the game plan changes introduced in 2010, we did expect some inconsistency to start with, but it took longer than first thought to settle down. The coaching group remained focused during this time, albeit frustrated with some of the results, but were rewarded for their patience and hard work with the 1st and 2nd XV having a great finish to the season and playing some tremendous rugby throughout the finals series.

Even though both teams just fell short in their respective Grand Finals there is a strong feeling amongst our coaches and players that if we continue to work hard and maintain the momentum then we are about to enter into a special period for our club and its supporters.

Premier Grade:

This year started slowly with some very up and down results for the first half of the season. Coach Michael McCrea used quite a few players early on, including a number of last year's U18s, in an effort to find the right combination, particularly in the backs. The team was playing some good rugby but was losing games of which they had control, mainly due to poor on-field decision making or from not sticking to the game plan, and looked like missing the finals as a result.

When it was almost too late the team finally got going and started to play as they trained and together with stronger leadership on the field gathered significant momentum going into the finals. The way the team played in the Grand Final signalled to the competition what we are capable of and that we are heading in the right direction. Michael received great support this year from fellow Kiwi James Irving and the coaching group was further strengthened when Peet Arnold came on board and Tom Secker was a welcome addition as Team Manager.

Premier reserves:

Our 2nd XV was coached again by Stewart Douglas. Once again the 2nds were the side that was most affected by player movement between grades, making it hard to get any consistency. The team lost the first three games but from then on improved with every week, powering into the Grand Final.

Stew blooded most of last years U18s into the team at some stage during the year and even though the team was disappointed not to win the Grand Final, the experience gained will be invaluable in the years ahead. Doug Mein once again was the Team Manager and as always did a great job.

Division II:

Our 3rd XV, coached by Graham Raymond, once again had a solid year. With the competition changing, three teams had their 1st XV in this Division (Elizabeth, Barossa and North Torrens). Our 3rd XV were unlucky just to miss the finals, having the chance in the last game of the season.

Injuries to key players early in the season and player availability on occasions hampered Graham's chances of consolidating a finals position this year. Ian Walker once again did a tremendous job as Manager of this team.

Division II Reserves:

Our 4th XV team was back in the competition this year and was coached by Peter Policki.

We did not win many games and missed the finals but several first year players went through the 4ths this year and many older players had a run and helped mentor the younger less experienced players. Ian Walker was the unofficial Manager of this team and did a great job on occasions doing the ring around to get a team on the park.

Women's XV:

The Women's team coached by Kath Cherry had a great year with many new players representing the club. Kath generated a tremendous spirit within the team and they were unlucky to get knocked out in the major semi this year. This team had the best attendance of all squads at training all year, from pre-season through the cold nights of winter right up to the finals.

The Women's team also found it hard to get any consistency this year but not for the same reasons as the other teams but more so from the stop/start draw and forfeits from the opposition, which often had them not always playing on a weekly basis. Thanks also go to Andy Marshallsay who provided assistance with coaching (particularly with the scrum) and to Team Manager Elena Casciano.

Juniors:

Our Junior Committee are to be congratulated once again on their efforts in preparing our young players. The quality of the players that came up from the U18s this year into the seniors is a testament to all the hard work and dedication of David Linder-Patton and his tireless Committee, Coaches and helpers.

It was a successful year, from the scary Under 8s first year of tackling, to the courageous Under 14s making the semi-finals; all in all, great fun for players, coaches and parents.

It is also a testament to our coaching staff and culture that Old Colls is retaining significant numbers of players from juniors into our senior sides, which will ultimately bring success to the senior teams in years to come.

State Representation:

This season the club has achieved more junior players than ever gaining state representation:
Under 12s: Eammon Lambert and Ollie Horne
Schoolboys: Chris Steel, Soshi Eto, Matt Bautz, Stewart Nutt, Kris Suttie

The club is proud again to have had the following state representatives in the senior squads:
Black Falcons: Will Sadler and Brad McDonald Junior Falcons: Chris "Chips" Bartlett, Ben Blackall, George Bretag-Norris, Jack Darby, Soshi Eto, Nat Linder- Patton, Bernie Van Altena (all of whom have come through our Junior teams)
Southern Warriors: Eloise Birch, Dani Di Girolamo, Kim Evans, Tara Naige and d'Arcy Sadler Referees

The club is also very proud of all those Collegians who are helping us build a better competition by offering their services as referees.
We offer our great thanks to Kath Cherry, Richard Waddicor, Mark Pickard, Chester Armstrong, Tim Wall, Callum Wall, Tom Litchfield, Nick Litchfield, Matt Noonan and Luke Howes. In particular, Kath and Chester are both considered to be referees with real promise and we look forward to watching them progress!

2011 was a steady year of "business as usual".

There were no great changes, for good or for ill, although we think perhaps there might be some on our horizon, more on that below. We had another season without any premierships to our name, but that should not define our story this year.

Senior playing numbers in 2010 remained approximately static. We saw another marked increase in social memberships and women's team players, which is fantastic. It has been a reasonable year financially for the club. Some of our unavoidable costs are escalating, but we had a higher turnover from the bar and canteen to even it out. Sponsorship continues to be a critical part of the club's income in order to keep subscriptions down and cover the growing costs associated with providing rugby and facilities to our members.

Several businesses and people provided much needed cash or in-kind sponsorship in 2011, and special thanks must go to The Feathers, Coopers, Direct Interiors, Physio Direct, Powerhouse Sports on the Parade, and a number of individual benefactors, notably including the Porters.
Last year I was pleased to offer my thanks to Janet Penhall and Justin Elder for their hard work in various fundraising in 2010. Sadly, we did not have any similar volunteers in 2011 and as a result we raised about $12,000 less this year. If any of our members are looking for a job in 2012, we would very much like someone to devote themselves to fundraising!

Maintenance of the Clubhouse and its facilities remains a constant chore and expense, and I thank everyone who has been involved, but particularly Justin Elder for taking general responsibility for House and Grounds, and also for line-marking,
Stewart Douglas for his work on the pitch when it was dry and hard, and most particularly for the wonderful new honour boards which took more than 30 hours of his time and finally restore some more of our history to our walls and everyone who helped with the paint and clean up over the summer.

We were, as usual, dependant on a small group of dedicated volunteers who provided canteen services, line marking, ground set up and take down, cleaning and the many other jobs that provide an enjoyable environment for our players and supporters. We are always light on volunteers and at times it was very difficult to see all jobs done in 2011.

My thanks to the Senior and Junior Committees, the club's Selectors, Coaches and Managers and all the hardworking volunteers who do the "boring stuff.
My thanks also go to the players; without them we are nothing. My particular thanks to two young men who are leaving us and who will be missed equally at our bar as in our front row - Christian Tedge and Luke Bailey are both moving interstate this month. I wish them all the best and thank them for their many years with us.

As I have said before, the words "Old Collegians" don"t describe the place we play, they describe what we are to each other. Regardless of where they may next pull on a jersey, Bails and Tedgie will always be our Collegians.

There are a few big changes close on our horizon in terms of off-field club matters.

Briefly, for those of you who were not present at the AGM,

• There are moves afoot to establish an "Old Collegians Rugby Foundation" to assist us with strategic develop ment.
• There are improvements planned for our facilities - to both the infrastructure and the tenure.
• After long years of empty promises, we are at last in a position to revamp our Constitution.
• There will be 75th Celebrations! Please start saving your pennies for our line of 75th merchandise to be re leased soon, and keep the 14th July 2012 free for our Anniversary Ball.

I remain humbled and privileged by the honour of the presidency of this club, and proud of all of its members.

Kim Evans
President
(full annual report available on request - kim@oldcollegiansrugby.org.au)