Firstly, I would like to acknowledge our Richmond Rovers RLFC loyal sponsors for their on-going support of our beloved club. A huge thank you goes out to Mickey B’s Gym, Steve Glucina of L.J. Hooker Ponsonby, Divesh of the Waterview Laundromat, Tony Murray of Electrical Inspections, Grant Tullet of the Grey Lynn Tavern, the team at the Surrey Crescent Hotel, Diamonds on Richmond Road & Peter Fell Ltd. A big thank you also to our Richmond Foundation club members.
The 2020 Richmond Rovers season is certainly underway with our Fox Memorial Premier team into their fourth week of Preseason under our coaching staff and management from 2019. The turnout thus far has been great considering this time of the year. We have not recruited many new players this year, we are certainly hoping to maintain most of last year’s squad and then try and fill in the gaps as we work towards the start of the season but first we have to play our first 3 preseason trial games scheduled starting with Pt Chev Pirates this Saturday at Grey Lynn Park.
We are really looking forward to seeing how we go this season, gauging by the turnout at training with their current attitude things are looking great already for both the Premiers and the Premier 1st.
The Richmond Roses (women) have maintained the same coaching staff as last year, with Teasha Marra taking over the Head coaching role with Bronson Harden and Tammy Wilson as both assistants along with Luisa Avaiki joining the group as their mentor. Squad wise, we are looking to maintain mostly the same squad as last year with a few new ladies joining. Their Pre-season has also kicked off in late January 2020 with much to do before season start.
Things to look forward to this season include the continued growth of Richmond Junior grade teams led by Junior Convenor Tala Tuisila and the team comprising of Secretary Rangi Fiu, Treasurer Amy Bernard and Merchandise Manager Rose Iefata. All Richmond programs will continue as per normal including Richmond Athletics for young juniors held at Grey Lynn Park every Wednesday from 3.30-4.30pm, the Richmond Community Playgroup for children up to 5-year olds every Tuesday and Thursday and the popular Richmond Homework Centre which kicks off shortly.
With the excitement of last year and the growth of the number of teams in our junior ranks, we are certainly looking at capitalizing on that for the 2020 season.
We are also looking forward to finalizing our lease from the Auckland City Council, so we can begin with our 2020 Richmond club renovations. This include the Council to begin with the construction of our new changing rooms and shower facilities as promised.
The Richmond club overall is in good spirits and is in a healthy state financially, with some great people from the Richmond Junior committee through to the Richmond Board of directors. We all look forward to working in tandem together for the benefit of our club long term.
Of course, we still need more juniors, seniors, social members and volunteers to join our club so we will continue to ask and reach out to our members to put their hands up and help in any way they can.
Finally, on behalf of the Richmond club we would like to wish all our teams competing this year the very best for the season. Go Richmond! Play hard but play fair whilst having fun with your mates.
Gus Fepuleai
RRRLFC - Chairman