Corbin Harty (from left), Teina Beets and Brody Emery represented Waikato under-18
The recent past versus present rugby clash was the culmination of a busy season for the Te Awamutu College boys’ first XV.
Willem Poolman (left) and George Poolman flank Willem Poolman jnr after receiving his 40-game first XV cap. Photo: Te Awamutu College Rugby
Played in slippery conditions, the fourth annual Bruce Bain Memorial Game was won by past 37-22.
“The past first XV snuck in a few tries early, before the college boys hit back in the sunshine with a sharp sideline try after exposing some slower legs in the past team’s flanks and wings,” organiser Ollie Ward said.
“A big thanks to our referee and to all our supporters who braved the weather – it was another great day of rugby and community spirit in memory of Bruce Bain.”
This year was the first time for a long while that the college first XV had played Waikato division one rugby.
Coached by Willem Poolman, Carl Sheridan and Chris Shields, the squad reached the semi-finals.
There they lost to a strong Matamata College team 22-0, but hopes are high for the future.
“It was physically very tough. But the boys enjoyed that level of rugby considerably more because of the challenge,” co-coach Carl Sheridan said.
“It meant that there was intensity around training, there was more intent in the training at the gym off the field too. They were really invested.
“The one thing it exposed was that we probably didn’t have the depth from a skill set point of view.”
Sheridan said heading forward they hope to have more players involved in their offseason development programme training.
“We ended up using 26-27 players for the first XV. We went into a semifinal against Matamata with a lot of broken soldiers, but the heart of our team is incredible,” Sheridan said.
“We lose 10 boys from year 13 next year but through our development programme, on paper, we have a reasonably strong looking side next year.
“We re-enter our off-season training in term 4, backing their motivation and desire to be better.
“As long as they’re motivated and keen, we need to support them.”
During the annual tournament week, the team journeyed to Pāpāmoa where they placed third in Rugby by the Beach. It helped them connect as a team.
“We’ve already expressed an interest in going back next year. It was awesome,” Sheridan said.
“It proved to us that we probably need to do some sort of connection trip during pre-season.
“The boys got to hang out together and play games. They were fizzing and there was a lot of energy.”
Following the tournament, they got to experience cold and warm therapy at P3.
The coaching staff were over the moon to receive feedback from the accommodation and P3, about how well behaved their team were.
“That connection means catch-pass becomes easier on the field because you trust the man outside. They’re so disconnected those two things, but they’re so connected,” Sheridan said.
“If you go to war with the people you trust, you’ll play better rugby.”
The team and coaching staff are grateful to the committee, school and long list of sponsors.
“The committee are tireless. The amount of work the 6-7 people do to represent 160-170 kids across the college grades,” Sheridan said.
“Unsung heroes always. It’s a thankless job sometimes but there are some pretty thick skins amongst that team. They’ve done amazing work.”
Sheridan said whether the kids come back to rugby or not, isn’t their number one priority.
“If they come back to sport, keep themselves physically active and look after themselves, that’s important,” he said.
“In a community with one college, if you can get that one college humming, the community can be humming.
“There is a good, young, respectful workforce coming out to help support the community.”
Corbin Harty (from left), Teina Beets and Brody Emery represented Waikato under-18, beating an Auckland side 27-24. Photo: Te Awamutu College Rugby
