Busy off-season at top rugby clubs
Although final premier squads have yet to be named; Wellington?s top rugby clubs have started training in preparation for the 2010 season. Northern United premiers are currently training along-side school leavers keen to learn from the best. Norths premiers coach Frank Reece says in the off-season it?s up to player to keep fit, and training sessions are more relaxed at this time of the year. ?Players turn up in different states; we are having more fun at club training with school leavers practicing with the premiers at the moment. ?In Porirua we have a great catchment of talent, with four good colleges and top first-fifteens,? says Mr Reece. He says expectations are high at the club because they have been performing better than ever in the past five years. Petone Rugby Club spokesperson Wayne Smith says in their 125th Year having Randwick Meats renew?their contract as the major sponsor is invaluable to fulfilling the wish of Jubilee Cup success. ?Our expectations don?t change, our thinking is based on winning the competition,? says Mr Smith. With very few losses from last year?s squad, the Petone premiers are looking to solidify a rock-solid 2009 season and build up-and-coming players. ?We have recruited well with year, but we are keeping that under wraps, the consistency of the team will play a big role,? he says. The clubs first big event is the Petone Man 2010 coming up on the 13th February, and open to the public. Pre-season training is?now in full swing every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm and anyone is invited to attend, with the possibility of eleven teams this year there is a spot for everyone, Mr Smith says. The club has finalised its pre-season program that will kick off with the Ken Gray Academy and Premier Squads visiting Christchurch on the first weekend in March for two matches each. This will be followed by home games against Poneke on the 13th March, Fielding Yellows on the20th and MSP on the 27th. The big event this year is the 125th Celebrations on the 7 - 9th May.
