Photo by Mark Wood

Premier Rugby 2024

GI Rugby — January 31st, 2024

AWESOME COMMUNITY, AWESOME CLUB

This team has grown in stature in recent years. We have recruited and fostered quality talent, and will be striving again to be in contention for the Premier banner in 2024.

We are seeking hard working quality players to join us on our journey.

We have a great coaching setup, with a very supportive and healthy club behind the team.

Are you up for the challenge? Don’t be a number – come to a club where you will be appreciated, develop your game and be surrounded by good people.

Premier Team Coaching Staff, 2024:

Head Coach: Hayden Finch

Assistant Coach: Matthew Lobb, Marty Banks

Premier Team Management & Specialists, 2024:

We are fortunate to have this wonderful crew volunteering their specialist support in critical positions.

Team Co-Manager: Aaron "AJ" Johnson

Team Co-Manager: Alun "AK" Kennedy

Team Co-Manager: Ant Harris

Physio's: The team have a dedicated Team Physio Karen Meehan with assistant Physio's

We also have an agreement with a Sportsmed Mosgiel Physiotherapy to take care of injury prevention, physiotherapy, strapping, injury support, recovery etc.

Our Club:

Green Island is not just any old club… we are well entrenched in the local community and one of the most welcoming rugby clubs you will find on the planet. We love our footy and the camaraderie.

We have a rich club culture, and extensive experience welcoming and settling players from all over the world. These players provide overwhelmingly positive feedback on their time with the club. In fact, people describe our club as being one extended family.

Our players are humble, and share a tight bond. Off the field we have a great social environment.

The club has an amazing band of loyal supporters, and it is common to see hundreds on the side-lines for home games on Miller Park.

Facilities:

We have excellent playing fields, and all the training equipment one would expect. Stat of the art Hydraulic scrum machine, tackle bags, sprint ladders, poles, bibs, cones, hit pads, tackle crash mats, Players Gym etc

Transport:

Our club is located some 10 minutes from the city centre. For those players that require a ride, we have a club van that will drop players to/from training's/games.

Accommodation:

The Club do not provide free lodgings, but we can assist prospective players with finding accommodation – often with teammates (if preferable)

Employment Opportunities:

Our club has an amazing record of finding players jobs, be they unskilled or skilled – permanent or temporary.

We have a huge following in the local community, and many of our supporters are only too happy to find roles for our members. Many of our existing players & members are in roles arranged by the club.

For those seeking to enter a Trade, we can help. We have placed many players into trades (Plumbers, Electricians, Builders etc.). In fact, we have several existing players completing Trade studies right now; placed by the club.

Mentorship:

We take our role as mentors seriously. We ensure that the players receive quality coaching on the field. We provide them with the tools to become more skilled. We teach them to become more game savvy and more resilient. We teach them to respect what they have, and to embrace team culture. We integrate them into our club life and local community. We foster family balance and benevolence.

While we want great players at GI, true success for us is seeing players develop into great players and great people. All Blacks Ben Smith and Jackson Hemopo came through our Premier ranks, and it is fair to say they embody what it is to be a great Green Islander – hardworking and uncompromising, highly skilled on the field and yet lovely humble people off it.

Team Camaraderie:

The thing that strikes our players and their parents most about coming to GI is the camaraderie.

Nobody is above the team, and the players are a tight knit group. Though they are close, they are also very welcoming.

Social Life:

Club Functions

Our club has an excellent off field social environment. There are various events planned throughout the playing season, the highlight being the Annual Lip Sync event which the Premiers are very much involved in.

Team Events

Premier Management arrange for various team events and functions throughout the season. The focus is on having a bit of fun.

Player Scholarships:

In accordance with Otago RFU guidelines, we can issue selected club players with scholarships each season.

These funds can be awarded to a player that is in a full-time study or a trade apprentice (to a capped limit).

Each season we typically provide 5 or 6 scholarships to nominated players, but only if they meet the coaching/management team criteria (which takes into account player commitment to the team and club, both on and off the field).

Representative Rugby:

We support our players desire to push their game to the next level, and we have various players representing the All Blacks, Highlanders, Otago, North Otago, Otago U19s & Otago Sassenachs.