Team Summaries 2000

Written by Jesse James

Under 8
Mick Campion continued to give the club great service through his inspirational coaching of this age group. With some new faces to augment those from the previous season, the players continued to learn and enjoy their rugby. Brian McMahon once again fulfilled the managers duties and we thank both he and Michael for their work. To Mick in particular thanks for your patience over a long period with this age group, you have removed a major worry for me each season you have woven your magic.

Under 10
A very, very good side, well managed by Mr & Mrs Kevin Angove, and now for something completely different, two debutant coaches in Becky Manson and Zoe Woodstock, put their hands up and produced the goods. Memories of the season for this team would have to be wins against Brighton, and take note 16s, 14s & 12s, very sound victories against a big physical Onkaparinga.

Under 12
Stuey Douglas stepped up from under 10s to the 12s, where he coached a side short on numbers for most of the season. Having said that, with a couple of lads who do not know when they are beaten, this side produced good enough rugby at times to make the semi-finals playing short and scare the tripe out of Brighton in their best display all year in that final. Thank to Bobby Abernathy who discovered all the pleasures of the managers role. Their games in the Sevens were what sevens should be , fun, with 10 little Timmy Austins running around.

Under 14
The Under 14s also christened two new coaches in 2000 in Jonathon Kenny and Paul Sharratt. Starting the season short on numbers and size, a little recruiting saw numbers and jerseys fill. This team played well against most opponents but seemed to develop a block against a team their could match if they believed in themselves. Thanks to Ashley Rains and Dave Warner for their management. This side only lost four games for the season including the Grand final against Onkaparinga which was the closest game that team had all season.

Under 16
After a successful introduction to coaching at SAJRU level, Gary Pope again took charge of the under 16s with assistance from Simon Griffiths. Unfortunately despite the best efforts of the coaches managers and skipper Dan Tootell, these players introduced the letter ‘I’ to the word team. In the first side in my memory at juniors for this club, individuals made themselves more important than the team. Take note boys, there is talent in some of you but for this season you generally wasted it. If you have aspirations for higher honours, I can assure you that selectors and coaches will pick a dedicated and disciplined team player before a big headed ‘star’. Listen to your managers and coaches before, during and after games and training and if your captain asks something of you, do it. Ginny and Paul Horne once again did more than their share taking on the managerial duties as well as their other work. The team finished second on the ladder, which is a great effort by the coaches and managers, winning 8 games and losing 6. Going down to Onkaparinga in the Grand Final after narrowly defeating an unlucky Brighton in the semi, this sides best display for the season was in fact in a game they lost to Elizabeth. Down at half time by 19 v nil on the score board and playing numbers,( too many party goers on Friday night), the available players listened at halftime, thought about the game their strengths and weakness and won the second half 17 v nil, with honest hard rugby. That was the capability and the potential, the reality was far short.

Under 18
Olly and Nick Porter again teamed up with Anne Bradley to guide the 18s through 2000. A great training ethic of not only numbers on the ground but great listening skills saw this team lead the competition for a great deal of the season. Having lost a significant number of good players to the Viking team, meant some recruiting and positional changes. The season was one that will make me happy for years to come despite the result of the last game. A team that had a great balance, good commitment, skills and drive. They pulled off practiced moves, improved deficiencies, played with flair and entertained. Good scrummage, great lineout and magic backs. Second on the Ladder in the home and aways, winning 9, losing 4 and drawing 1, this team owned all but two minutes of the grand final going down 8 v 7 to Brighton in one of the better junior games I have seen. Congratulations go to these young men, the Club, your parents and I am very proud of you. To those who go to senior ranks the message will never change, ‘Work hard, go well!’, thanks for your patience, friendship and the chance to share your rugby, thanks.

 

Recognition

The following people need to be recognised and thanked for their contribution throughout the season;

Team Administrators

• Michael Champion and Brian McMahon with special mention to Duncan Armstrong, Kevin and Grandma Angove, Becky Manson and Zoe Woodstock.
• Stuey Douglas and Bobby Abernathy.
• Paul Sharrett, Jonathon Kenny, Ashley Raines and Dave Warner.
• Gary Pope, Simon Griffiths, Ginny Bullen and Paul Horne.
• Olly Porter, Nick Porter and Anne Bradley.

General

• Judy Morgan,
• Sue and Ian Thewlis,
• Ross and Nardia Kingham,
• Derek Newman,
• Sue and Roy Schmidt,
• Virginia Bullen and Paul Horne,
• The other Horne family from the hills,
• Graham Raymond,
• Rob Sadler,

Other

• Club Committee & Club,
• Joyce Spry,
• Cherie Tootell,
• Kate Denley,
• Curtis,
• Denzil Church, Hamish Cranna and Harry Clarke,
• Bob Stafford-Lee, Ted Apted and Barry Nichol.

 

Other Events

The junior division hosted the SAJRU Seven A Side Competition and had players selected in State and higher representative teams.

SAJRU Sevens

The club hosted the State seven a side competition with Old Collegians’ the only club to nominate in all grades. No other clubs nominated in the Under 16 & 18 age groups, while both the Under 12 and 14 grades played and lost to Brighton in the final matches in both age groups. Special thanks to the ‘old junior’ bunch who turned up to run the day.

 

State Representatives

• The following players were selected in State representative sides;
• J Shimmeld, M Horne & A Rokobaro, Under 12 versus Victoria.
• A Burgess Under 14 versus Victoria.
• R DeGioia, O Graham, L Marsland, W Morgan, B Newman, C Schmidt, C Sheppeard, D Tootell (Capt) Under 16 versus, Illawarra, Victoria, ACT, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Western Australia and NSW Country.
• C Tedge, J Thwelis, J Bradley, B Hickey, O Philpott, J Kinderman, A Lough, D Bradley, B McEntee, G James, R Neilsen, Under 18 Versus, Victoria, ACT and NSW Country.

 

Southern Regional Team

South Australia pick 5 players to accompany players from Victoria NSW Country and the ACT to play a full NSW side in Sydney. Selected from Old Collegians’ for this game were, C Tedge, J Bradley, B Hickey, J Kinderman and O Philpott.

 

Awards

The following players and members won the following awards presented at the Junior Presentation day.

 

Club Awards

• Howard Clay Scholarship -  Under 14, David Cooke>
• Joyce Spry Scholarship - Under 12, Jem Shimmeld
• Most Improved Junior Player - Michael Regler
• Junior Clubman - Cherie Tootell
• Club Captain - Tom Secker
• Patron - Joyce Spry

State Awards

• Sir Norman Jude Tackling Trophy - Chris Schmidt

 

Results

In the home and away section of the competition, the sides finished as follows;

 

Conclusions

A year then when some grades improved and others deteriorated. The gutsy displays by the 12s, 14s, 18s and all to rarely the 16s were balanced off by the low numbers of 12s and next years impending shortage of Under 10s.

The quality of the juniors is there but I feel that change is overdue to revitalise the junior division.

The talent base is a good one but urgent recruiting is needed in the Under 8, 10 and 12 age groups. This season saw Under 18s play important roles in the Senior finals campaign, joining previous juniors in that side. If the attention is not given now to those younger age groups we will not have that luxury for the seniors to take advantage of in 4 to 6 years.

We saw probably the best retention rate for Under 18s through to seniors this season, but the club should not be satisfied with these numbers either.

We continue to meet our objective in a global sense but for the club on the whole we could have and realistically should have done better.

I would recommend the club, as I have for a number of seasons consider the appointment of a development officer to establish a junior schools competition in the local Burnside area and another in the Stirling to Birdwood area. In conjunction with this, a formalised plan for the development of Junior Girls Rugby be given a priority and be actively pursued.

The club secured the Eastwood Trophy for junior club champions for the second year by a clear 100 points due in large again to the club providing billets and the good record of discipline on the field. Congratulations to all players, members and parents, your work and support won the award, I will repeat what I said last year, successful clubs are seldom limited to their on field performances.

I indicated earlier in the report that change is needed to continue the good work put in over the 15 years of junior rugby in the club. I believe that the change required must be from the top down.

I thank all those who have helped me when I asked for a bit more help, I congratulate the players who gave me more when they thought they had no more to give. To the players that improved, and the ones who need to work a little harder and believe in themselves a little bit more well done, I have enjoyed every gut wrenching, nerve shattering defeat and triumph you have strived for. I will be around and I will be watching and I know I will be proud of every one of you,

 

Jesse James, 2000