This Saturday the Blue Veins are hosting their annual Over 35s Golden Oldies Rugby Carnival, the last opportunity this year for some more senior rugby enthusiasts to display their, perhaps rusty, but nevertheless awesome, rugby skills.
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As a consequence of the bushfire in Tathra earlier this year, new clubs are making an appearance, their way of giving their support to Tathra and its community.
Clubs represented this year include regulars like Wollongong Viking Longhorns, Shoalhaven Heads Aged Gentlemen (the SHAGs), Vincentia Van Gones, ACT Vets, Tuggeranong/Jindabyne Soreheads, Batemans Bay Olde Boares, Cooma Knackered Brumbies, the Braidwood Daddy Long Legs and the Terrey Hills Stillbillies.
First time clubs are Southern Rough Riders, with a massive team of 28 players from many parts of NSW, the Golden Eagles from Daramalan/Gungalin in the ACT, Australian Command and Staff College in Canberra, and the Western Wiley Rams.
As a consequence of the massive support this year, there will be around 150 players on Saturday at the Tathra Beach Country Club, possibly necessitating the use of three ovals.
Everyone is welcome to head along on Saturday morning. Bring the kids to watch dad have a run, rather than the other way around.
The score of every game is two-all, so there is no room for heroes.
However, don’t think that the games are not serious as you will see some very hard and skilful rugby on display, especially as the Staff College team players all seem to be 35 years and one day old.
The weekend will begin with crab races on Friday night at the Tathra Beach Country Club, which should get underway around 7.30pm.
These are just a hoot and some money is raised for the David Dodd Sporting Scholarship, a scholarship that supports local secondary students attend sporting or training events out of the district.
Games will begin on Saturday morning at 11.30am and the day should wind up around 3pm, in plenty of time for some presentations and frivolity, the Cox Plate, and then a shower before moving to other Tathra venues to share a few more yarns.
The Mick Byrnes Memorial Trophy will again be presented.
Last year the trophy was awarded to Ron Ashby of the SHAGs. Ron was an English teacher at Bega High many, many years ago and introduced rugby to the school.
He then instigated Golden Oldies rugby locally, advising and guiding teams to maintain their physical interest in rugby, while allowing hard-earned skills to be re-used.
New players (over 35 years) are welcome. Just bring your boots or joggers, socks and a jersey, and $20 registration fee.
You play at your own risk, so must have at least ambulance insurance cover.
The Rules
- The final score will be 2-all. Players can run as hard as they like, but should be prepared to be met with a tackle that reflects the same level of intensity.
- No kicking the football.
- No weight in the scrums.
- Halfbacks must not follow the ball around a scrum, and number 8s must stay bound.
- Players in red shorts (60 - 65 years) can be held but not taken to the ground. They must release the ball when held.
- Players in yellow shorts (65 – 70 years) cannot be touched, but they cannot run more than 15 metres (even if they could).
- Players in purple shorts (over 70 years) must not be touched & can just about do as they please. This weekend there will be an 84 year old who will play. He is amazing.
- Rival Captains can agree on any rules they like (for example, no running more than 20 metres without passing the ball), as long as they tell the referee.
