NOBs News: Oshawa Saturday

We have 9 committed for Oshawa tomorrow and are still going to make the trip.  It is a festival event so we will pick up players on the fly (with help from the organizers).  If anyone changes there plans for Saturday and wants a game we will be at the Thompson Rugby Park 110 Raglan Road West, Oshawa.  First game @10:00.  According to Google it is about 1:15 travel time from Burlington. 

If we want teams to come to our pitch, we need to do some travelling.

Thanks

Phil

NOBs News: Saturday April 29 Confirmation?

I am hoping that I have not received many confirmations for Saturday because there was a typo in my email address?

So far only a handful have confirmed their availability for Saturday at the Kris Kraus tournament.  A handful does not make a team!

If you are available for Saturday please let me know ASAP.  The invitation is extended to the GITS and Silverbacks as well.

Phil

phil.gray@cogeco.ca 

Ontario Blues fundraiser

Please see the attached notice for the Blues Fund Raiser.  Support the Blues!

From: Mark Winokur <arcbluesmgr@gmail.com>
Date: Monday, April 24, 2017 at 10:24 AM
To: Philip Gray <phil.gray@cogeco.ca>
Subject: fundraiser

Phil, could you circulate to the NOBS?  Still have some tickets left for this and really trying to raise funds, cheers

NOBS News: TOUCH, SOCIAL & CONTACT GAMES

TOUCH:

Wow, what a turnout yesterday.  Where were all those people in the dead of winter or the wet and rainy Sundays!  Great numbers and a great run.

This week we start our regular outside Tuesday and Thursday Touch.  Start time 6:30.  We are not sure what part of the Field we will be on to start.  Eventually we will be on one of the soccer pitches, but not sure when it will be officially available.  Sunday touch continues as usual.

CONTACT (April 29):

It is that time again to dust of the tackling skills.  The NOBS have entered into the Kris Kraus Tournament this Saturday.  Kick off is 10:00 at the Thompson Rugby Park.  See the attached notice.  I have extended an invitation to the GITS, Hamilton Silverbacks and Centaurs (over 35) to join us on this adventure. 

We need to confirm numbers.  Please respond "YES" to this email (phil.gray@congeco.ca) by mid-week. 

The NOBs are in the process of establishing a "NOBs Contact Rugby" list.  Although we will still continue to communicate through email to the broader group, we want to start up a contact only list to make player confirmation an easier process.  If you want to be on this list let me know. 

Don't forget to register as a contact player using the following link:

http://members.rugbycanada.ca/page/show/2224867-on-club-page

If you are registered through another club that works, as long as you register.

CONTACT (May 7th):

Our next contact outing is Sunday May 7th at Sherwood.  This is an "ALL COMERS" event that will be SANCTIONED, so if you have not registered you can play.  If you want to test out the old skills, this is the perfect day to do so.   So you Centaurs or Hamilton Alumni players, a great chance to reunite.  We are expecting  players from the GITS to come for the run.  Please extend this invitation to others who might be interested in Masters Rugby.

SOCIAL:

It was a night of the arts and culture on Saturday night at the Oakville Performing Arts Centre with our Craig Warnock as Fagin in Oliver twist.  A fine production and great night out.  Thanks to David Tait for making the arrangements and Cristina and Nick for the restaurant selection. 

Our membership night Friday also had some familiar faces out.  Please make sure to remit your $120 to Rolf ($25 social)

NOBs News: Membership Night Reminder

Just a reminder about our membership night tomorrow at the club house.  Drop by after 7:00, ante up and have a pint.

See you there.

Phil

NOBs News: 2017 Season

All…

I want to welcome everyone back for the 2017 season.  With the days getting warmer and longer it won’t be long before we are outside on the pitch regularly on Tuesday’s, Thursday’s and Sunday’s.  With the start of a new season I think it is good to share a few thoughts on the upcoming season. 

 

As a new member of the executive last year, I needed to learn a fair amount about the Niagara Old Boys (NOBs) and how they tick.  In the end, not a difficult task with veterans like David and Rolf graciously sharing past experiences. Tim had all the connections for fixtures and referees and most importantly the Centaurs Bertie’s team.   On top of that, there was Dermot, Derek, Gary and Ravi who provided support and assistance.   

 

From last year, running the club and organizing things was not that difficult with the support we receive from members.  The greatest challenge was being able to field a viable “masters” side.   Every fixture we worked hard to field a full side relying on players from Lockport (Chris, Dave and friends), or Hamilton (Chris, Duane, and friends), and not to forget the GITS.   Last year demonstrated the Niagara Old Boys (NOBs) is a club where anyone can play regardless of their current or past club affiliation.   We need to encourage players who no longer regularly play for a senior men’s side (Cru, Hamilton, Grimsby, Brampton, Centaurs…etc.) to pick up the game again with the NOBs.  We are well situated in Burlington for players west of the City and in Niagara Region.  So how do we do that? 

 

As with anything there is no quick fix.  A couple of things we are doing this year to bolster our ranks for contact and touch include:

• Improved scheduling.  We are reducing the number of contact games with no contact games in July and August.  We are also looking at the NRU schedule and the possibility of having Saturday games. 
• Sanctioned events.  Contact players need to register with CRU/ORU (~$105) for insurance purposes.  We are looking at getting festival coverage ($150 total) for home games so non-registered plays can play with coverage.  So maybe some Alumni might show up and get hooked again.  This would mean a game fee.
• Keep Communication. Always the most important thing! 
• Expand our Touch game.  We are considering a Touch League for Sunday’s to attract more players.  We have been approach about hosting a 12-week touch league for players 40+ in age (June, July, August).  This would be organized and run by a third party and use part of our field.  The field would still be available for our regular touch, but on another part of the field the Touch League would have two games going (much like in the dome).  We should have more information on this soon. 
• Further collaboration with the Centaur’s.  We share the same clubhouse and fields, we need to look at opportunities that are mutually beneficial.  We also need to reach out to other local clubs.

 

Our first contact game is on Saturday April 29^th in Oshawa as part of the Kris Krause tournament.   Spread the word!

I look forward to see you out over the season.  Any suggestions or comments are welcome (phil.gray@cogeco.ca) 

 

Thanks

Phil

Nobs News: Busy week coming up

Things are happening......

1. This is the last week in Dome 1, before we get outside.  Starting at 6:30 worked well as a "warm up"

2. On Friday April 21 is our Club membership night.  Come sign up for the year ($120).  This generally covers the cost of fields, tournament fees, referees, festival coverage and other incidentals critical to operations.  by paying up, and being in good standing you will get a pint!  Social fee remains at $25.

3. Saturday April 22 – Gareth's 50th at the club house after 7:00 pm

    Also culture night at the Oakville Performing Arts Centre featuring Craig W. as Fagan.  There are plans to meet at 5.30pm at the Bru Restaurant at 138 Lakeshore Rd E, Oakville (south side opposite Paradiso) for a meal prior to the performance.

4. Saturday April 29th - 1st Contact Game(s) at the  Kris Krause tournament in Oshawa starting at 9:00 (still to confirm KO)

   - This is our first contact game so we need to know who is in or out ASAP.

   - I will send out a separate email Tuesday. 

   - Last season was a challenge to get a full contact side on a regular basis, so we have cut back our fixtures so they don't overlap as much with Berties's/Centaurs and other club games.

Last but not least, big applause to Rolf, Dermot, Carrie and volunteers on the Easter Egg Hunt.  From all accounts, a great success despite the rainy conditions. 

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NOBs News: DOME Touch

Last week at the DOME we noticed that there was no one ahead of us.  So, we thought we could squeeze in a extra 30 minutes at the beginning, call it a "warm up". 

If enough of us can make it for 6:30 lets do it, we can adjust things at 7:00 if needed.  There is no guarantee we can get on at 6:30, but no harm in trying!  Worst that can happen is we are left tossing the ball around outside...or actually warming up!

Also, just a reminder about our Club Membership night at the clubhouse on Friday April 21, after 7:00.  Pay your annual dues ($120) and a pint will be waiting.  Pablo already has his on ice!

Thanks

Phil

NOBs News: Easter Egg Hunt Start time

All, there have been a couple questions on the start time and we don't want anyone to miss out. 

Previously it was schedule for 10:00 but it has been pushed to 11:00 for the actual hunt, so start meeting at the club anytime after 10:30 and you will be ready for the 11:00 start.  See the attached poster.  Sorry for any confusion on the time.   

Thanks

Phil

NOBs News: Easter Egg Hunt

Carrying on with a the annual Centaur’s Easter Egg Hunt the NOBs are please to provide support for the event.  Rolf, Dermot, Carrie and friends will be out with refreshments and good feelings …and don’t forget Mr. (or is it Mrs.?) Easter Bunny!  The hunt K.O. Is 11:00, but be there for 10:30 to warm up.  Best to all this Easter Weekend.        

Thanks