President's Report

The Barbarians' Rugby Football
NOVEMBER 25TH 2010

It is my pleasure to report to Barbarian Members on Club events of the past year. The Club has experienced an exceptionally busy year with many highlights.

2010 - An historical year for the club

The first matter I will mention is the official opening by our Patron Bob Sorenson of our new Clubrooms on 24th June 2010.

The new Clubrooms incorporate a Lounge and two magnificent Suites overlooking Eden Park. These international facilities have been achieved through the outstanding work of Past President Mike Cormack who chaired the Eden Park Committee, his university mate and President at the time Phil Lindesay, Vice-President Bryan Williams, Secretary John Cresswell, Roger Moore and the writer. We have a venue that can give hospitality to international guests, comfort and enjoyment for members and their guests.

Prior to the official opening of our new facilities the Life Members, Past Presidents and their wives enjoyed the ambience of the Club in May.

NZ Barbarian V's NZ Maori

On Saturday June 12th 2010 the Club played N.Z. Maori at Whangarei in the first of the Maori centennial celebration games.

What was very pleasing is that it was the first time since 2003 that we had played a first - class fixture.

In an outstanding game, a little on the nerve -jangly side at times, but full of open expansive - rugby the Barbarians were winning with 1 minute and 33 seconds to go. The rest is history - N.Z. Barbarians 31 - N.Z. Maori 37.

Thanks to the outstanding work of Vice-President/Club Captain Mike Mills & Roger Moore, we fielded a formidable side with a number of All Blacks and Super 14 players. The likes of Renee Ranger, Jamie Mcintosh, John Afoa, Josh Bekhuis, Ben Smith, Jared Payne, Colin Slade all performing well in the red scarlet jersey.

The Club has entered into a second three year sponsorship agreement with the N.Z. Secondary Schools Council.

The Barbarian national "Top 4" 1st XV championship playing for the Barbarian Cup took place again at Rotorua.

The Club was also the proud sponsor of the "Top 4" Co-ed competition for another Barbarian Cup. The quality of rugby on display was most impressive. The top 4 colleges were St. Bedes College Christchurch who had won the Press Cup, Mount Albert Grammar School Auckland, Gisborne Boys High School and Hamilton Boys High School. Much to the delight of Old Boys
BeeGee Williams, John Cresswell, Roger Moore and Bryan Craies Mt. Albert Grammar won the much prized Barbarian Cup beating Hamilton Boys in the final.

The games and the team dinner on the Saturday evening were well attended by your President, past President Mike Cormack Vice President / Club Captain Mike Mills, Committeeman Rod Doidge, Mags Old Boys / Barbarian Members as previously mentioned, as well as a number of local Barbarians including Ray Reardon.

Auckland's St Kentigerns College won the Co-ed Barbarian Cup defeating Manurewa High School in the final.

The N.Z. Secondary Schools regional (franchised) tournament was this year held at St. Paul's Collegiate in Hamilton on the 14th & 15th July. The Barbarian Shield was won by the Blues Team who beat the Hurricanes.

The players dinner held on the Wednesday evening once again had very good representation of Barbarian Members.

Fun-Day

Under the convenorship of Ron Williams and Roger Moore who both did an outstanding job another highly successful Primary Schools "Fun-Day" was held at the Naval Base at Devon port on the 16th May 2010. Of all the many functions that are held throughout the Barbarian calendar year the number of Barbarian present is always the highest at this "Fun-Day".

The major sponsor for the day was again Barfoot & Thompson and special thanks is due to Barbarian Club member Peter Thompson.

Middleweight Programme

The middleweight campaign which the club has taken on as a special assignment has had another very full year.

This year the programme started with games against Counties (U85KG)/Development side at Pukekohe on March 13th followed by a match against Thames Valley on the 20th March at Thames.

The Sydney side Beecroft then toured in March/April playing our N.Z. Barbarian Middleweight side at Eden Park as a curtain-raiser to a Super 14 game.

In September 2010 at College Rifles in association with the Auckland Rugby Union the Middle weight Tournament took place with North Harbour, Thames Valley, Waikato (Harlequins) and Auckland participating. Auckland again proved too strong and won the Barbarian Cup for the third year. Thanks are due to Bryan Craies as Convenor, Phil Lindesay, Roger Moore and Ex-Officio Dean Allnutt.

We are also very fortunate to have selecting and coaching the side two Barbarian members in former A!! Black Gary Cunningham and former North Harbour representative Wayne Underhay.

New Clubrooms - Lounge and Suites

Thanks are due to Rod Doidge as Bar Manager, Dean Paddy in the new position of Mine Host, Wally Jelicich and Bryan Crates for the many, many hours they spend running the new Club facilities. Under Rod's supervision they purchase the food & beverage, stock the bar, and serve the drinks. Special mention should also be made of the magnificent food that is prepared by Barbara Doidge and Judy Jelicich for Club functions. The Club is also grateful to the ever-present Wally Jelicich who cleans the Ciubroorns after our numerous functions.

Friday nights at the Club have proved to be a great success with the membership and also with the different Clubs from Auckland, Counties and North Harbour who have been invited also, the N.Z.R.U have used our facilities on a number of occasions.

Strategic Plan

Under the convenorship of Vice-President/Club Captain Mike Mills the Club Committee is progressing with a strategic plan.

The three areas in particular being closely looked at -
1. Rugby-International, National, Middleweight, Secondary Schools
2. Sponsorship
3. Administration

Again this year there have been some successful Bowls and Golf days and thanks are due to Bryan Craies and Wally Jelicich for organizing them.

The Club has continued with a column in the N.2. Rugby News which further highlights the activities the Club is involved in.

Our appreciation to Don Cameron for his work associated with the Club Newsletter. Don has spent hours and hours of his time producing the newsletter for the Club. We are happy to say that Don will continue as a feature writer while Club Member Campbell Burnes will be the editor.

Sponsorship

As I write this report the Club is negotiating with a major sponsor. Thanks to the efforts of convenor Phil Lindesay and assistants Roger Moore, Richard Fry and Neil Cullimore we should have some "Good News" in the near future.

Website

Also, under the direction of Phil Lindesay we have become "modern" with our own website. View - www.barbarianrugby.co.nz

Acknowledgement

My personal thanks to all the officers of the Club & Committee Members who I have previously mentioned by name in this report for their willingness to serve the Club and see it grow.

Special mention must be made of our secretary for so many years John Cresswell John's work load because of the growth of the Club has been quadrupled. His attention to detail and the time he has allocated is greatly appreciated.

I thank him for his support as indeed the support, knowledge and experience of Phil Lindesay our immediate past President.

I also appreciate the experience and commitment that our Treasurer (former auditor) John Jessup has to the Club.

Bryan Williams, will be president of the N.Z.R.U. for the World Cup. We are very fortunate to have him as a Vice-President of the Club.

I also acknowledge Roger Moore for his Boundless Energy and thank him for the time he allocates to the Club.

Overview

The Barbarian brand is unique, recognizable and highly respected in the rugby world. Conversations are taking place with the N.Z.R.U., N.Z, players association and N.Z. Maori with regards to engaging the Club in more 1st class fixtures. Although, availability of players is an issue in the current professional climate it is still the Club's aim to play international sides whether in New Zealand or overseas.

Thank you for the opportunity of serving you as your president. It has been a privilege.

John A. Mills
President