Welcome to our first Clubland Chat of 2022. I’m delighted that we are finally at that point where we are all going to enjoy some rugby again!

The BIG news is the long-awaited announcement from the NZ Government, with the relaxing of the vaccination requirements which enables us to move ahead for our Club season,.  For all our rugby whanau, from 4 April, we once again train, play and socialise side by side, without judgment and isolation from each other.  Of course, if any of us test positive, we will need to do the right thing by our mates and our colleagues, and self-isolate until clear of COVID and I know we will all follow those rules for everyone else’s health and safety.  We will also be able to reap the benefits as Clubs and as a Union of unlimited crowds.

The Car Company Nelson Bays sub-union round kicks off this Saturday 2 April, with Kahurangi playing Waimea Old Boys at Riwaka Rugby Club, Stoke against Marist at Greenmeadows and Nelson hosting Wanderers at Trafalgar Park.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the Stuff Tasman Trophy Coaches for 2022, a list of coaches that includes 1 current & 4 former Tasman Mako:

• Central – Quentin MacDonald is their new Player Coach, assisted by Riki Winitana;
• Kahurangi – Brendan Smith returns as Head Coach, supported by Tito Elisara and Mark Kelly;
• Marist – Shawn Begg takes over as Head Coach replacing Gavin Briggs (retired), with Hopa Taufa & Con Barrell riding shotgun;
• Nelson – Gary Stevens returns as Head Coach;
• Renwick – Ti’i Paulo is the Head Coach, supported by Zac Harrison Jones & Cory Holdaway;
• Stoke –Sebastian Siataga, Joe Kirker & Tevita Koloamatangi head up a new team;
• Waimea OB – Scott McKenzie is the Head Coach, supported by Kaide Whiting & Leith Brunning (replacing the old firm of Mark Milne & Dion Mytton);
• Waitohi – Ra Hebberd takes over as head coach (Jimmy Giles will no doubt feature in a support role); and
• Wanderers – Ethan Reuban takes over form Glenn Grant (who is taking a well-earned break).

It has been so heartening to see the young kids getting to run around playing Rippa Rugby recently, right across the region.  I got to see some 350 kids playing Rippa at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim and watching those games reminded me just how good the Rippa game is for our young players.

Please remember that if you want to pursue another way to be involved in our game close up, we would love to have you join our Mako Referee Team.  You can simply ring 0800 REFEREE or go to our Tasman Rugby website and register.

See you around the club grounds!

Lyndon Bray