VRU 2013

[en_force_er]

Nothing since last week, strange how quite the Boroondara players are with their opinions on things.

What's your personal opinion? If you don't mind me asking.

I find the way this was announced and is playing out very strange. If this is to work it needs to take place ASAP as Christmas is around the corner and we all know you won't get anything done between then and the 2nd week of January, by which time most of the competitive clubs will have started preseason.

 

[KevinO]

I agree that it is really strange the way it has played out, I believe the club is run by people with their heart in the right place but not the necessary skills for the administration side of things. I agree that things getting done this close to Christmas is not really productive and even the way that the club didn't announce anything to the players until they started asking questions.

Even weeks ago one of the players asked what was said at the AGM because he couldn't attend due to cricket commitments and the reply he got was of the board positions for next year. Nothing on the agenda has been emailed on post of the club page. AGM was held on a Sunday afternoon instead of mid week where more people would attend.

Regarding the coaching, no announcement on who will coach the 1st next year. I think they really should have sent out a message for a meeting with the playing groups and there future involvement in Rugby with Boroondara or other clubs since the news came out.

On a personal front, after only taking up rugby and really enjoying playing as I have always watched rugby it would be nice to know where the club is going, I want to play with the same group of guys as I really enjoyed it but if Boroondara is in Division 2 the 3rds are the team to lose out.

 

[en_force_er]

Talking to the VRU types I get the feeling Boroondara is run by 1 or 2 people whereas other clubs are run by a cast of many. Therein lies the issue.

I wouldn't worry mate, the Boroondara 2012 3rds will just become the 2013 2nds and the 2013 1sts will be a hybrid of 2012 1sts and 2nds players. I can't see them managing more than 2 teams without the allure of Premier status.

That, or the 3rds will become the Box Hill/Boroondara hybrid 4ths, in which you'll have plenty of new and old ripper blokes to play with I'm sure.

 

[elementfreak]

Interesting, facebook sentiment suggests Boroondara is keen and Box Hill is not (but is happy to welcome Boroondara players). It's a bit of a watch this space scenario I suppose.

Is this what you guys are getting? You certainly know a lot about the happenings of Vic Rugby elementfreak.

I know some of the players I have spoken to who would happily welcome Boroondara players into the club, although I think the pros and cons of the merger need to be sold rightly to the players for them to be on board.

 

[KevinO]

Talking to the VRU types I get the feeling Boroondara is run by 1 or 2 people whereas other clubs are run by a cast of many. Therein lies the issue.

I wouldn't worry mate, the Boroondara 2012 3rds will just become the 2013 2nds and the 2013 1sts will be a hybrid of 2012 1sts and 2nds players. I can't see them managing more than 2 teams without the allure of Premier status.

That, or the 3rds will become the Box Hill/Boroondara hybrid 4ths, in which you'll have plenty of new and old ripper blokes to play with I'm sure.

Yeah, a bit like that. Only a handfull of people putting in the effort.

Box Hill/Boroondara merge I will change clubs, I am living in the West and not going to travel to Box Hill every week. Options for me would be Powerhouse or Footscray as I work in South Melbourne and normally go to training straght from work so Powerhouse is a easy option.

 

[en_force_er]

Yeah, a bit like that. Only a handfull of people putting in the effort.

Box Hill/Boroondara merge I will change clubs, I am living in the West and not going to travel to Box Hill every week. Options for me would be Powerhouse or Footscray as I work in South Melbourne and normally go to training straght from work so Powerhouse is a easy option.

From South Melb it's simply Punt/Hoddle to the freeway then freeway to BH basically. It'd take you maybe 20-30 minutes.

 

[KevinO]

From South Melb it's simply Punt/Hoddle to the freeway then freeway to BH basically. It'd take you maybe 20-30 minutes.

Powerhouse is a lot easier than BH, Boroondara was fine as it was straight through the tunnel and your there.

BH from Altona would be a pain in the ass on a Saturday every second week. Powerhouse would actually be quicker than Footscray due to their shocking location to get to.

 

[swingpass]

as i posted previously clubs have come and gone over the years. i cannot see the booroondara legacy/history existing much on its own after a merger. after all, where is all the old "Kiwis" memorobilia or the stuff from "Old Scotch / Hawthorn" days? unfortunately, i suspect it wont really be a merger just the absorbtion of the players into box hill, which will strengthen them in premier one, on the assumption the booroondara players go there rather than another club.
clearly the contrast between melbourne & harlequins off field and that at booroondara couldn't be starker, thats not to decry the efforts of those at booroondara just the resources available to run and build a club

 

[en_force_er]

as i posted previously clubs have come and gone over the years. i cannot see the booroondara legacy/history existing much on its own after a merger. after all, where is all the old "Kiwis" memorobilia or the stuff from "Old Scotch / Hawthorn" days? unfortunately, i suspect it wont really be a merger just the absorbtion of the players into box hill, which will strengthen them in premier one, on the assumption the booroondara players go there rather than another club.
clearly the contrast between melbourne & harlequins off field and that at booroondara couldn't be starker, thats not to decry the efforts of those at booroondara just the resources available to run and build a club

Yeah but the average Boroondara player and coach has only been there for a couple of years (with a few very distinguished and notable exceptions) so they surely wouldn't be TOO devastated.

A merger wouldn't be the worst thing for BH either, BH can talk rightfully about their great history all they want but the reality is their 2nds/3rds are weak and they have little hope of fielding a 4ths without more blokes on deck. Let's not frame this as all for Boroondara.

Also, if they hypothetically have 2 junior feeder clubs (as in the Sydney model) then they're looking more than all right.

This is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Let's face it, 2nd Div is more for the "suburban clubs" and Boroondara will lose PLENTY of their good players next year when they are in Div 2 if they don't merge.

 

[swingpass]

i agree that an "eastern suburbs" club is overall a good thing for rugby in victoria. my point was that it is rare that merged entities keep the weaker identity alive for any length of time

 

[en_force_er]

Any word on the player meeting to decide Box Hill/Boroondara's fate which is reportedly happening tonight?

I'm hoping for big news but not expecting it.

 

[elementfreak]

It's mainly just a meeting with the players to decide on some clubs rules etc from what I understand. The topic of a Boroondara merger might be raised but I am unsure.

 

[en_force_er]

It's mainly just a meeting with the players to decide on some clubs rules etc from what I understand. The topic of a Boroondara merger might be raised but I am unsure.

Ah, you would imagine if the merger doesn't happen now it won't happen.

 

[en_force_er]

It's mainly just a meeting with the players to decide on some clubs rules etc from what I understand. The topic of a Boroondara merger might be raised but I am unsure.

Any news to come out of this meeting? I'm pretty much presuming the merger is dead.

 

[elementfreak]

Any news to come out of this meeting? I'm pretty much presuming the merger is dead.

Nothing concrete at the moment that I know of.

 

[en_force_er]

Nothing concrete at the moment that I know of.

Anything less than concrete? I know information in club sport tends to creep out slowly but I think it's safe to presume if it hasn't happened by Christmas it won't happen, because that's when everything winds down.

 

[elementfreak]

Anything less than concrete? I know information in club sport tends to creep out slowly but I think it's safe to presume if it hasn't happened by Christmas it won't happen, because that's when everything winds down.

My mind is that if it hasn't happened by this week it won't happen, although there is not much I can say about it as it would just be pure speculation. I know a few of the players would be more than happy for Boroondara players to go and play for Box Hill, although they are unsure about changing the name of the club.

 

[en_force_er]

My mind is that if it hasn't happened by this week it won't happen, although there is not much I can say about it as it would just be pure speculation. I know a few of the players would be more than happy for Boroondara players to go and play for Box Hill, although they are unsure about changing the name of the club.

I hope they do make this happen but apart from the odd snippet I haven't heard an official peep about it recently.

BH wouldn't have to change much, they already play in a strip traditionally associated with "Eastern Suburbs" clubs across our nation and in all honesty, in 2011 BH couldn't field 3 grades so it's a massive leap to suggest they'll field 4 grades and a Colts in 2013 (which their homepage is suggesting). They need this too.

From Boroondara's standpoint, they have no coach in 2013 to my knowledge and are set to lose plenty of players due to them being ambitious or not being willing to travel to Geelong, Ballarat, Warnambool, etc.

I get KevinO 's issue of travel from the West but the reality is regular long distance travel proves an even pricklier issue.

Plus, BH was already called Easts for a period many years ago. There's a bit of history for you.

 

[kronic]

Nice article by Leo:

Victoria punches well above weight

THE pathway for Victoria's aspiring rugby internationals traditionally involved scholarships to interstate private schools, family upheaval and the challenge of coping with massive change.

Of the select group to have managed the transition, Digby Ioane and Ewen McKenzie are the best credentialled - and exceptional.

The ratio of failure to success has been overwhelming.

Until now.

The advent of the Melbourne Rebels has led to an impressive international presence, with five players involved in last month's Wallabies tour of Europe.

Nick Phipps, Kurtley Beale, Mitch Inman, Cadeyrn Neville and Scott Higginbotham made the cut, while injured James O'Connor and Cooper Vuna could not be considered.

Other players, including Hugh Pyle, Luke Jones and Jarrod Saffy are now regularly linked to Wallabies team discussions.

But behind what has become an impressive shop-front window, a talent revolution is well under way.

Seven Victorians have been selected in Australian teams this season, providing fresh evidence of a better pathway that doesn't involve interstate private schools.

Kemu Valetini, Siotame Kavapalu, Moli Sooaemalelagi, Niua Puaka, Junior Laloifi, Bill Valetini and Pat Toeta have all graduated to international level after being uncovered locally by Rebels scouts.

Josh Philpot and Matt Tink are two of the major drivers behind the surge in numbers.

Tink said there have been significant changes over the past three years.

"Three years ago, any talented kid in rugby, I knew about them," he said.

"Now they're coming out of the woodwork.

"We seem to be punching above our weight.

"It's all about providing the kids with a pathway - and our pathway in Victoria seems to be shorter."

Figures show Victoria is outperforming both the ACT and Western Australia, despite having fewer athletes.

According to figures provided to the Herald Sun, ACT had a total of 5400 junior registered players last year but provided only four international representatives this season.

WA boasted a pool of 6200 juniors last year but had no international representation in 2012.

Victoria produced its seven representatives from 3000 players.

"The numbers don't lie," Philpot said. "We've always known we've had talented kids here, but it's about providing a pathway.

"It's exciting to think that some of these kids coming through now don't have to move away to make the transition to Super Rugby or to international level.

"They have the chance here to be mentored by some great people at the Rebels, to train with internationals and to learn.

"We are now seeing the results of that kind of ... exposure."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/r...ell-above-weight/story-fn8ouw0e-1226536511273

 

[elementfreak]

Power House has named their coaching team for this year.

Director of Coaching – Paul Hamer

1st grade Coach – Glenn Fowles
1st Grade Assistant Coach – Leni Tui Tuikolovatu.

2nd grade Coach – Sekove Rarasea

3rd Grade – Quinton Kimble

4th grade – Richard OSullivan

Women’s – TBC

Power House RUFC President Alan Latu commented as follows: “We are very extremely happy with the appointments for the 2013 season. Glenn has a wealth of playing experience and has been coaching at Moorabbin for the last few years. Moorabbin were deserved premiers last year and Glenn will bring that experience to Power House next season. Leni is a favourite son of Power House and is both a premiership player and coach at Power House. After a few seasons at Footscray, Leni returns home and will support Glenn with the first grade team. The first grade coaches will be supported by a strong team of lower grade coaches with Sekove returning to Power House after a few seasons with Northern while Quinton and Richard who impressed last year remain on as 3rd and 4th grade coaches respectively. Power House RUFC is looking forward to another successful season in 2013."