Under 12 Rugby 2018

Overview of season.

For the Under 12 Rugby team this year it was new rugby journey for most of the boys in the squad. New environment, new grade, new competition and new school, and by the end of the season they had adapted to these changes very well and came together as a team. The grading games went very well, demolishing some teams like STAC and Medbury however faced a top team such as Burnside (who had been together for some years).

Unfairly we were put in section 2 and started off with a close loss to New Brighton which really didn’t help our cause. It was frustrating because the talent was there, and we had the nucleus of players to be a strong and competitive team. But what was missing was the top performing culture and desire to have high standards at all times.

This was put forward to the boys and from here on in the boys played exceptionally well winning 7 games in a row by margins of 30-40 points then having one slip up to Parklands 17-12 – who had been dropped down from section one. After this the boys got back on the winning trend for the last two games before facing of against New Brighton (who beat us earlier) in the semi final.

We won that game 63 – 22 then faced off against Parklands (who we narrowly lost to previously in the final. The boys put on an awesome display winning that game 51-5 and securing the plaque.

One thing that was so pleasing from a coaching perspective was the great culture and brotherhood displayed and the development of the boys throughout the year, not only as rugby players but as young men.

Huge thank you to our manager Naomi Faga, who has been outstanding at organising everything, and to our sponsors at New World Wigram to supplying for our player of the day rewards.

Chris Leader & Harry Kirk

Prize winners:

Most Improved: Jonty Hanson

Most Versatile: Tanielu Leo'o

Best Trainer: Zeke Faga – Eiti (sounds like Yeti)

Best Forward: Xavier Doocey

Best Back: Kamai Perenara-O'Connell

MVP: Meihana Pauling

Player of Year: Benedict Ross