Hey Guys,

NOTE:
- Tuesday fitness is ON next week even though I said it wasn’t yesterday
- SUBS (membership fee’s) are DUE please pay ASAP

Game Review
Another good hitout on the weekend, i’m gonna get sick of saying that but it’s oh so true. Experience won out in the second half of the seconds game but what a gutsy effort to take to the Colleagues. To give up the first try early and then not only hold out the half but get one back to into the break 5-5… BRAVO!!! notably it wasn’t a game of individuals but it’s hard not to mention some great kicking and the try to Joshy, big Erik bringing out the solid hits and good work from Mark in the centres. The whole team lifted and there was no shortage of bodies on the line. Well done boys, brings a tear to my eye seeing guys only just taking up the game show everything we hold so dear about rugby. Final Score: Colleagues won 5-25

Ok, enough gushing, the good form continued with another strong showing from the firsts. In a year where mental approach and ‘playing the full 80′ is key it’s great to see us not only take down the top two teams from last years Halligan but blank them both. holding true to our ethics of giving up nothing for free and starting the game hard, the Mossy boys were beaten in the first 5 minutes with phase after phase threatening to breach the half way but getting nowhere. Another 3 points to James was well deserved and a HUGE shout out has to go the the whole pack who smashed… nay, abused the strongest scrum of last year. And thus, we shall all stand and applaud Fez, Jumbo, Aki and some other guy… there I go getting emotional again. Final Score: Convicts 29-0

Great effort all round boys, the wheel keeps rolling on…..
(Steve T)

Games this weekend
There are currently 2 games scheduled for this weekend as the Managers have not heard from that many that can’t play. If you can’t - INFORM your manager now as we may have to cancel a game if we don’t have the numbers.

Convicts Seconds Vs Macquarie Uni:
Players there for midday (kick off 1PM)
Macquarie Uni Playing fields (Corner of Talavera & Culloden Roads North Ryde)

Convicts Firsts Vs Hills:
Players there for 1PM (kick off 2PM)
At YATTENDEN OVAL, John Street, BAULKHAM HILLS

Bingham Cup 2010
The next newsletter will be sent out this week and we are so pleased to announce that Chris Waring will be stepping up and taking on the Tour Manager role - this is a critical role to ensuring the tour runs well. He will be assisted in Sydney by Brad Rossiter and in Minneapolis by Brett Barakat (lots of the old school will remember Brett from POOFTA). thank you guys - your help is truly appreciated.

Note: - The club will be purchasing insurance for the trips and will be part of the reimbursements. If you have any questions please ask Duncan or myself.
- There are still major prize draw books available from Simon T.

Contact anyone on the Committee if you have any questions.

Cheers,

Charlie
President

Hi All,

Well the season is officially underway, the countdown to Bingham is that one step closer. Firstly, what a great weekend for all those who have popped thier cherry and are now fully fledged Convicts, well done boys. There was a mixed bag of results on the field and a not so mixed bag as far as the commitment and effort shown by all on the day.

With the two’s taking on a strong Waverley side and trying to form the positions in the team at the same time, it was a day to dig deep. Most pleasingly the two’s did just that and stuck it to the Waves with strong forward play, taking space and rucking making for a great platform to develop in the weeks to come. The coveted plate beckons and it’s good to see that we’re on the way to reclaiming the prized posession. A mention needs to go to the forwards as a whole, particularly Aki who gets the hit of the round award.

And with the platform set, it was up to the One’s to bring it home, and under the guidance of James the machine kicked into gear. With a structure to the play that was quite positive for the first game of the season, it was more reason to be pleased. Running in 5 tries to zip and blanking Waverley sets up the season and the run into the Cup. Again the forwards set up a big platform, which was well taken advantage of by the backs, particularly Big (bird) girl and Jay in the midfield.

So the wheel has started turning, well done to all and lets look forward to training and working on those elements to get us to where we need to be.

Weekend’s Games
Convicts 2nds Vs Colleagues
Kick-Off 1:30PM (Players there for 12:30PM)

Convicts 1sts Vs Mosman (last year’s winner of the Halligan Cup)
Kick-Off 2:30PM (Players there for 2nds kick-off at 1:30PM)
Major Prize Draw:
Books will be available at Thusday’s training for you to raise your own funds for the tour - speak to Simon Thompson or Paul Wild. Make sure you return your stubs.

Bingham Cup
With only There will be an update/newsletter in the next week or so this will outline details on insurance, accomodation and registration. If you intend on coming and haven’t filled in the survey OR don’t have your flights sorted out then please contact Duncan or myself ASAP.

Upcoming Events
- Anzac weekend there WILL be a game or a training session
- Back to Convicts Day probably on the first weekend in May (TBC)
- Rugger Bugger XI is on 29th May

Contact Duncan, myself or anyone on the Committee if you have any questions.

Cheers,

Charlie
President

Hey Guys,

The Convicts rugby season kick’s off this weekend and we have back-to-back games at Waverly - so please come on down and support us. Game details below.

GAME
Convicts 2 Vs Waverly S
Kick-off: 12:30PM
Waverly Oval #2 (Waverly Park, Birrell Street, Waverly)
Players there for 11:30AM

Convicts 1 Vs Waverly
Kick-off 1:30PM
Waverly Oval #2 (Waverly Park, Birrell Street, Waverly)

Jobs for the boys:
Guys we do have a couple of guys looking for jobs and if you could help that would be fantastic. There are two guys, one is in politics (worked more non-labor) and the second is looking for landscaping/home renovating (outdoors). If you can help please contact me and I can provide more back-ground/CV’s and introductions as needed.

Looking for somewhere to watch Super14 this Saturday?
Colleagues (our parent club) have a great new sponsor (Royal Oak Hotel in Double Bay) and this Saturday is their Season Launch from 7PM. There’s cheap beer, cheap feeds, DJ, $20 4 hr champers package for girls and waratahs and brumbies games live.

ACON Focus Groups
The Convicts and ACON work closely together so when they have something like these focus groups - we promote it: Researchers would like to talk with sexually active gay guys of all ages, backgrounds and regardless of status to discuss some advertising. Two focus groups are being held:

Session 1
When: Tuesday 13th April
Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm

Session 2
When: Tuesday 13th April
Time:7.00pm - 8.00pm

Where: ACON, 9 Commonwealth Street Surry Hills

Participants will be provided with a $50 gift-voucher for their contribution. Call Ben on (02) 9206 2065 or email btart@acon.org.au if you are interested in taking part or for more information.

Cheers,

Charlie

Hey Guys,

NOTE:
- There is no training this week due to Easter & Boot Camp is on Friday.
- Tuesday fitness is ON & pick up your prize draw books tomorrow at fitness
- SUBS (membership fee’s) are DUE please pay ASAP

Another great week for the Convicts 2010 season. The Convicts played Maccabi for the Barbara Streisand cup. Encouragingly we made more great strides towards the way we need to be playing and it was good to see some signs of that dogged Convicts defence we pride ourselves on. Next week is a weekend off so we look towards our first round against Waverley. We’ve had a good record in the past against Waverley and this years development should see us in good stead for this years first comp game and another step up towards Bingham.

Trivia Night:
What a fantastic night last Friday, not only did we raise our budgeted amount it was a fantastic night. Thank you so much to those people who made it happen: Duncan McGregor who really made it all happen, Simon Thompson, Liam Bailey, Geoffie Horn, Steve Evans, Chris Lesa and Ed Tobin plus the bucket boys and of course Fuzz with Mitzi.

New Players Night:
A great night on Saturday night when all 12 new Convicts were inducted into the Club…I think they all survived. Welcome guys.

Boot Camp:
This Friday is Boot Camp at Bents Basin. Make sure you work with your team captains since they have done a heap of work so make sure you help them out (if you haven’t been contacted by a team captain and you’re intending on coming - contact Steve Thorne (via me if you don’t know how to conact him)).

Subs:
Please help out the Committee and pay your subs early so we don’t have to spend time chasing you. Talk to Duncan, Jumbo or myself if you are having trouble paying - see last week’s email for details.

Contact me, Duncan or anyone on the Committee if you have any questions.

Cheers,

Charlie
President

Hey Guys,

Well done last Saturday on another step towards Bingham. It was of course a great training session and team run but more than that, it was a step up in physicality intensity which marks another step towards where we need to be. We had a genuine opportunity to learn from people we are rarely going to be able to spend time with which was a real privilege. Soon the real rugby starts and we took a real step forward so well done to all who put in. Maccabi this weekend coming so lets take that next step.

Final Trial this weekend Vs Maccabi
This Saturday is the last trial before both the BOOT CAMP and the season.
Where: Lyne Park (Rose Bay Wharf - just down Manion Ave from our home ground)
When: 2PM (KO 3PM)
4 X 25 minute quarters

Followed by BBQ & Beers with Maccabi

New Players Night:
Just in case you haven’t had enough of the Convicts for the weekend - New Players Night is on:
Where: Starting Bar Cleveland (Cnr Cleveland & Bourke St)
When: 7PM (Tahs’ game kick’s off 7:30PM)
Bring: Your drinking shoes

Trivia Night:
Don’t forget Trivia Night
Where: Paddington RSL
When: from 7PM

There are still tables and spaces available (not much so get in quick) so contact manager@sydneyconvicts.org to add that last table. If you aren’t on a table then get down and help out those guys that have done so much for this event (Duncan, Fuzz, Chris Leesa & Liam Bailey)

Cheers

Charlie
President

Hi Guys,
The first trial of the year saw us take on Petersham and was another great step into a big year. With a host of new guys showing great heart (Darren holding his own when thrown into contested scrums and Dale killing everything that ran at him) the season finally launched. Not to be outdone, Gump, Kev and the most beaten halfback in the world, Smurf all showed up well.

Against a strongly stacked Div 3 club it was always going to be a day of irrelevant scoreboards. What was most pleasing was the dogged tenacity that has, over the years, become a hallmark of the Convicts badge. In the third and final term against a trial for 1st and 2nd grade for Petersham we dug in when many clubs would have decided that the going was just too hard, so well done boys. A big well done for those that made it to such an important trial and did the hard work to set the season off on the right track.

Cheers,

Charlie
President

Hey Guys,

Well another big weekend for the Convicts but at least most got Sunday off.

Speaking of which we should start with a big CONGRATULATIONS to the Convicts Summer Touch team that took out their comp 9-2 on Sunday morning (8:30am) after the Mardi Gras party!! Big thanks to Matt Harper who organised it all last year and with Simon Thompson, Lukey Carpenter, Levi Kalepo plus Junrey, Chris Waring, Erik Denison, Marcel, Geoffie Horn, Steve, myself…

Congrats to all the new players who played their first game for the Convicts on the weekend - it was a great turn out for the first game of the year.

Dates for the diary:

• Trivia Night 26th March (note this has changed from a previous email I sent)
• Keep your ears open for the NEW PLAYERS NIGHT which is usually the evening of the last trial (27th March) - TBC.
• Boot camp (Easter weekend)

Cheers

Charlie
President

• Beginners Guide to Rugby or download direct from IRB Here
• Online coaching resources at www.irbcoaching.com
• Introduction to Rugby at http://www.rfu.com/TheGame.aspx

The 2009 raffle draw was recently held. We have been in contact with all the winners and are pleased to announce them on our website:
First Prize: John Maley
2nd Prize: Louise Evans
3rd Prize: Paul
4th Prize: Adrian Kerr

I am sure you all had as great a night as I did on Saturday - it was a good turn out by the punters who got to see some brilliant shows.

Maxi was fantastic as usual, followed by Kevin and Erik’s mask skit which had everyone laughing while the Macho underwear show …including Salsa show…seemed to go down well!! Then of course Dean along with Levi, Junrey, Jase and Zane put on a fantastic tribute to the late Michael Jackson went down a treat…only to be followed by the Full Monty. Chris Leesa leading with Stu Fenton and Cal, Zane, Yasir, Damien, Tom and Paulie - were brilliant.

Along with the guys organising front of house, Liam, Jumbo and Matt while Kevin kept everything moving smoothly plus of course the guys selling the raffle tickets and merchandise - there was a lot of work done to have it run so well.

Guys this fundraiser was great and the financial result I am sure will be good though I’d like to po! int out that if we want to get two teams to Bingham Cup next year with similar funding to Dublin then we have to be all putting in as a club which means everyone putting in the time and effort to get the fantastic results that we need. We have some time off from now so apart from the End of Season dinner on October 9th, we will have some voluntary off-season training to keep the skills and fitness up.

Thank you everyone who put the effort in and I am sure had a fantastic night on the weekend.

Cheers,

Charlie
President