From The President

Gordon Golden Oldies 2007 season is well under way with games against ACT Vets, Eastwood, Warringah, Collaroy and Engadine. All games have been played with great fun friendship and fraternity, with the odd ale after the matches.

I would like to make special mention of the excellent support of the new committee and team members. ‘Many hands make light work’ and everyone gets a lot more enjoyment out of our sport. It is also great to see the families coming along on the days and we encourage you to bring your wives, partners, friends, children etc.

We are delighted to announce the first of the season’s Cheap Eats nights coming up soon. This is a night to build camaraderie between the team and their family members and we would like to see everyone come along. 

Go to the link on the website to see the information regarding the tour.

See you on the 12th May at Chatswood.

Bob
0418 118 906

president@gordonstags.org.au

Latest News

Players Insurance

With the season underway it's timely to remind players of the importance of being covered by players insurance, just ask Matt Prowse.

Each year the club plays an annual premium to cover all playing members of the Gordon Stags. The $5.00 paid at each game by the players is a contribution towards this premium and does not automatically ensure coverage.

IMPORTANT

The insurance policy states: " Members are automatically covered provided they are Registered Members of your club"

Don't risk it. Be sure to Renew or Apply for Gordon Stags Membership before the next time you play. You can download a membership form here, post it in or bring it with you to the next game along with the $35.00 payment.

We'll have some forms at the game, just in case.

World Golden Oldies Festival Edinburgh, Scotland

Planning for the Edinburgh Festival is well underway with various options for the pre-tour being looked at. All these are aimed at reducing the overall cost.

As a guide, at the moment the approximate costs look something like;

AUD$5,400 - Festival and the Pre-Tour including Air Fares, Accommodation and the Festival Costs.

AUD$4,250 - Festival only including Air Fares and Accommodation

AUD$2,500 - Festival only including Accommodation. Perfect for those who want to organise their own travel and tours, especially if you're lucky enough to be able to cash in frequent flyers points.

We'll firm these up as we get more details.

To learn more go to our Edinburgh page and read all about it. We've updated the website with all the details of the pre-tour and the festival itself so be sure to check it out.

The trip is only 18 months away and will be here before you know it. You will need to register and a deposit will be required at some future date. What better way than to register and start paying toward your trip with our easy payment plan.

The easy payment plan will enable you to pay approximately $3000 towards the trip prior to final payments being required. Payments of $200 per month can be made quarterly by registering with John Finch either at the games or by calling him. John will provide details of how to send payments.

Register now by contacting John Finch via our Contacts Page or calling him on 9908 4382 and start planning for Scotland.

Pheatured Photo

With the season underway some great shots are being taken of the games thanks to our unofficial photographer. Be sure to check out all the great action shots from our 2007 Photo Album.

It was a close call for the Pheatured Photo this month with plenty to choose from including the invention of the male camel-toe by Matt Prowse (Just where did those shorts come from???? Warwick Capper???). With some good games of Rugby being played we thought it more fitting to show one of the great photos of the boys in action. 

This photo shows Bill Banham standing firm under fire as the might of The Royal Military College, Duntroon bears down on him in the guise of a 120kg, 200cm (6'4", 19 stone in the old currency) British Army Tank Commander. A daunting site for any opposing player.

Standing Firm

Needless to say Bill nailed him in the tackle and hurled him mercilessly to the ground so the Stags Forwards could come in and finish the job. Well that's our story and we're sticking to it. For his efforts Bill was rewarded with much needed pain relief at the after game function back at the Olims Hotel.

Urgent Help Required!

WANTED: Senior Rugby players, preferably over 35, to attend Gordon Highlander home games. Must enjoy eating FREE Sausage & Steak sandwiches and drinking FREE beer.

An appreciation of Rugby, whilst not essential, is desirable as is the desire to assist the club by manning the BBQ. For this assistance you will be rewarded nutritionally and emotionally and leave feeling a deep sense of contribution.

To apply please call Bob Lollback on 0418 118 906. No applications will be rejected.

Seriously though ...........

The BBQ's are pumping at the Gordon home games with great crowds coming to cheer the Highlanders on. The BBQ has changed from previous years with a reduced menu of only Sausage Sandwiches & Steak Sandwiches, this makes manning the BBQ much easier. As well as the BBQ we also look after the canteen and need additional helpers to man this.

The Gordon Rugby club pays us for doing this and the funds go toward paying for functions, equipment and those much needed post game refreshments that we all enjoy so much. Hmmmmm ........ Beer .......... Yummy, Yummy In My Tummy.

We realise that not everyone is able to help out due to family and work commitments but if you could spare a morning, 10am - 2pm (easiest, not so busy) or an afternoon, 1pm - 5pm (bit busier but great Rugby) from one of the dates below it would be great.

In return you will be filled with FREE, Yes FREE! food & Drink, including BEER, did I say BEER! not to mention the satisfaction of knowing you've helped your club out. Sorry, I didn't mean to mention that.

If we can't get enough helpers we may have to consider doing a ring around, we don't want to do this so check out the roster below and click here to let Bob know when you can help out or call him on 0418 118 906.

Tipping Comp

With the Super 14's nearing the  end the tipping competition has pretty well sorted itself out. Mark Cummins has broken clear and, barring a tipping disaster, looks set to finish in the lead.

A well deserved win to Mark, who despite his heart telling him to, refused to pick the Waratahs. A telling decider in the final run home which has put him in 35th position in the overall competition.

After week 13 the standings are;

Hopefully Mark can continue his winning form and collect first prize - 2 weeks manning the club BBQ - only kidding, we'll find something far more suitable.

Matches

The Games are coming thick and fast and some great matches have been had. Be sure to check out the games reports below and on the site.

If you are coming please click the "I'll be there!" link so we can plan for numbers - it really helps us out with the catering for those post match yummies.

NOTE: The Presidents XV match is now being played for the full term after First Grade. It's sure to a great match in front of a huge crowd as the ground is packed with supporters with the Highlanders having a great season. Be sure to come and cheer the boys on before we play.

Newsletter Tip: Clicking on the images will open a larger version. Try It.

ACT Game Report - 31st March 2007

The greatest complement was paid to us by the RMC scrum half at the half time break when, after peppering our line for a good 5 minutes without being able to penetrate, we caught him counting numbers. "Surely those old guys couldn't keep us out without having extra players on the field."

We were sure to assist him with the counting and remind him that, Obviously experience does count for something .... he won't do that again.

Check out the ACT photos here.

Eastwood Game Report - 7th April 2007

The Gordon Golden Oldies played Eastwood Charcoals after the main match which was watched by thousands and captured with great gusto by the ABC television cameras. The game was played in great spirit, even though most of it was in the rain. However, in typical Golden Oldies fashion, the ball handling was something to be seen, and when tries were scored, the huge crowd went wild.

The celebrations continued on in the change sheds and then in to the club house. Two presentations of medals were made for the Personality Players for Gordon. The forwards was won by Bill Banham and the backs by Bob Lollback.

Social Events

Pre Season BBQ

Unfortunately the Pre Season BBQ was a wash out. We'll try and reschedule for another day - maybe as an end of year function.

ACT Post Game Function

As part of the April Fools Day Tournament the ACT Veterans arrange accommodation at the Olims Hotel Canberra and host the post game function there. It's a great opportunity to get together with all the other players from parts far and wide to swap stories and have a few drinks. It's a great atmosphere and there's plenty of food for hungry Rugby players.

The cost of this function is by donation and all funds raised on the night go toward the George Gregan Foundation which builds playgrounds for children in hospitals around Australia. On the night $750.00 was raised and a cheque presented to Mr & Mrs Gregan (George's Mum & Dad).

It was a great night with many a laugh an a joke, watch a bit of Rugby and meet Mr & Mrs Gregan and raise some money for a good cause. We highly recommend making the trip next year and stay overnight for the post game function and recovery breakfast. Those ACT Vets know how to put on a weekend of Rugby.

Check out the photos here.

Cheap Eats Night - You know you love 'em

Better Late than never.

 Cheap Eats night on Thursday 3rd May 2007. We kick off at 7pm at the Mezzo Matto Restaurant on the highway at Turramurra. It's BYO with a set rate of $30 a head for food. Those attending, please let me know ASAP at social@gordonstags.org.au or return email so that we can confirm numbers.

The address of the restaurant is Shop 4, 1307 Pacific Highway, Turramurra, with a large parking area located behind the building (adjacent to the train station). If locating the place is a problem, you can contact the restaurant on 9988 3839 or call my mobile on 0434 036 087.

We hope to see as many of you as we can to make a great night of it.

Click here to send Matt Fowler an email or call him on 0434 036 087 to let him know you'll be coming and how many of you there so we can get the planning under way.