Newsletter 2006

WORLD INTERNATIONAL
MASTERS OF RUGBY LEAGUE
TOURNAMENT 2006

Gold Coast Queensland Australia

Index

Introduction

The 13th Annual Masters of Rugby League tournament of 2006 was held in the picturesque Gold Coast, Queensland Australia from the 22nd to 30th September 2006.

The Tournament/Carnival was a fantastic success with 50 Masters Teams taking part, 19 Australian, 31 New Zealand teams including 16 Australian, 14 New Zealand referees making this the biggest International Rugby League event for retired players over the age of 35 years old. This event created Rugby League History not only in the Gold Coast, but in the State of Queensland, Australia as well.

Ex-International New Zealand Players who took part were

Also attending was a number of ex State Provincial representative players from Australia and New Zealand.

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Teams that participated 2006 season

Referees who took part

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Saturday 23rd September

The Opening Day saw an enormous crowds of up to 5000 plus filing into the Robert Dalley Park at Monterey Keys and home grounds of Helensvale Hornets JRLFC in Helensvale to watch the teams official opening and March pass. This was a huge success which created a Carnival atmosphere for the whole week. Plenty of food, Club banners, Team flags, fancy dress, Uniforms and lots more great stuff.

The opening of the tournament was officiated by the Right Worship the Mayor Mr Ron Clark, then followed by a marvelous welcome by 200 New Zealand Maori Warriors performing a Haka for all teams, officials and invited guests.

All the games were played in the right spirits in beautiful sunny conditions of 27°C. The ball skills by the Masters players were amazing they were great games to watch. After the games had finished for the day, it was back to Club Helensvale for Prize-giving plus the social side of things. With great entertainment all players who won a Player of the Day received Gold Medals which were worn with pride all night. It was a long day with a minimum of around 4,000 people attending the social event. Also a charity auction held for the Variety Australia which was very well received.

Sunday 24th September Rest Day

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Monday 25th September

Another great day with the weather again being excellent with a very good crowd in attendance at all venues, which were Helensvale High School, Helensvale Hogs Rugby Club plus Nerang Roosters JRLFC.

Once again the games were played in good spirit with a slightly slower pace than on the Saturday. As usual the skills were still there overall and of course the game itself was the winner on the day.

Prize giving held back at Club Helensvale which was the base for all Social events during the week. Again Player of the Days being presented with medals.

Monday night saw this as Karaoke Night with the theme being Hawaiian shirt night. Most of the teams dressed for the occasion and a few hula blokes, with the Village People from New Zealand and the World Famous Lower Mountains “Australian Idols” from Sydney who all performed some terrific stage shows.

Our MC for the night was Chicky and the Pink Ladies, Josie, Ronnie, Ruth, Dana, Evon, Winnie and Eileen all from New Zealand. Thanks once again to the ladies it was an excellent night. It was an evening to remember and unless you were there you would not have believed the brilliant performances.

Tuesday 26th September Rest Day

A bowling Trans-Tasman Tournament was held at Club Helensvale where the Masters players had the chance to play against some of the 2006 Commonwealth Games medalists. A number of players took part and had a great time. The Gold Coast Greyhound Club also had a Race-night with 2 Races named after the Masters of Rugby League with the Masters putting up two trophies for the events. This meeting was very well attended by the players.

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Wednesday 27th September

After Monday’s games, Prize-giving, Karaoke, bowls and the Greyhounds by now some players started slowing up quite a bit. Today was the final of the games which would be seeing the International teams playing on Friday.

Some of the older players showed a few of the young ones a thing or two with their brilliant skills and magic they once had and some very slick passing skills. Amazing how they were still able to read the game. After the games over the past few days the pace of most started to slow (most of which was from the cause of the Social events).

Again Player of the Day medals awarded and then the naming of the International Teams in Age Groups for both Australia and New Zealand for which would be played on the Friday being the final game day.

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International Representative Selection

The players would be named for the following age group and colour catergories

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Team lists available in Adobe Acrobat PDF

2006 Mustangs and Stallions
2006 Masters
2006 Nifty Fifties
2006 Legends

The crowd in attendance was around 4,500 people.

Thursday 28th September

With the great weather we were getting many of the teams attended the Theme parks and made the most of it while they could. The Wet N Wild Fun Park had probably the biggest crowds.

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Friday 29th September Final Day

The International Games were held at Robert Daley Park, Monterey Keys, Helensvale. We had a walk up crowd of over 5000 people in attendance. The first games starting a 12 noon which were the Legends Australia v New Zealand (Gold Shorts and Tags).

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Legends Australia v New Zealand

60+ Years Young Gold Shorts

Again the atmosphere at the park was electrifying and the players of this grade showed the crowd a magnificent game of rugby League. The Legends platy on a modified field to suit there age & speed and they can not be tackled. Our policy is safety first and to look after the older players at all times. When the game had concluded both teams applauded the large crowd for their support during the week.

Prior to each game commencing all the New Zealand teams performed the Haka including the Legends.

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Australian Stallions v New Zealand Mustangs

35 – 39 Age Group White Shorts

This game like all over the week was played in good spirit as these are the players seen to be the future of the Master Tournaments. There was an abundance of excellent tries, slick passing, terrific moves and great ball skills with the crowd soaking in every enjoyable moment as was shown at the end of the game with a tremendous applause of approval.

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Nifty Fifties

Red Shorts

Then came the nifty 50s game with the majority feeling of this being the best grade overall showing players at this age able to show their skills of youth and still enjoy without any serious injuries. Although a little slower in running the skill factor is always a key. They went out and showed the large crowd that age is no barrier. Ball skills were rife and the flare was still in tact to enjoy another outstanding game of Rugby League. This was to be the winner which won the crowd approval overall.

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The Masters

40 - 49 Age Group

The Masters was to be the last game of the day, these players put on a tremendous show of Rugby League skill for all to enjoy and be amazed by. Excellent tackling, ball skill you name it they showed it to the crowd. Again the atmosphere was excellent with a blockbusting match flavor to it. This had to be the game of the day and had to be there to witness it. The refereeing was outstanding as were all the referees throughout the week. It was great to be a part of an amazing week of Rugby League.

As with all these games the players who were involved in the International teams were nominated by their team Managers and if selected they are put into teams not knowing who any of their team mates are. They don’t train as a team before the International games they just come out to play and most would assume they have been playing together all season. The fantastic comraderie is formed. Let it be known that all Masters Rugby League games finish in a draw.

The farewell function and Prize-giving was held at Club Helensvale while all award winners received their trophies.

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Trophy and Award winners

Overall Age Group Players of the tournament from Saturday, Monday and Wednesday games

Referees of the Tournament

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Acknowledgements

To our Referees who officiated all the games we would like to say a huge thank you and we hope all enjoyed themselves (sorry you didn’t win the Karaoke)

To the following supporters Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Referees, Helensvale Hornets JRLFC, Helensvale Little Athletics, Helensvale Hogs Rugby Club, Nerang Roosters JRLFC, to all the medical staff, the countless number of volunteers, the teams and their supporters, again thank you as you have all been fantastic.

Finally our heartfelt thanks to all our Corporate Partners, Carlton United Beverages, Club Helensvale, Kombat Powergard and also a tremendous thank you to Malcolm and Denise Duncan our organizers of our Sydney teams and who is also our Australian Secretary. Paul Kirby our Queensland Secretary as well, Len Brunt, Lisa O’Dewhan from Club Helensvale, Colin Smith, Masters NSW Referees Association. Without their support this event would not have been possible. Looking forward to seeing you all again in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2007.

In Memory of Clive Creed may he rest in peace. Kiwis master Legend 2005.

Thank You.

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