Richmond Rovers Rugby league is proud to announce that Auckland’s premier early child hood care has a 2013 jersey sponsor by the business name of; Mataliki Education Care Centre.

Mataliki believe a Tokelau language is to be spoken, the culture to be encouraged, nurtured, and also for our children to retain the value of Christian principles, has come on board as the Premier grade jersey naming rights sponsor for this 2013 season.

“We’re really excited about this new relationship” said Gus Fepuleai, Richmond Rover’s club chairman. “The Premier team is currently leading the Sharman Cup competition after nine games and the club as a whole is evolving with junior and senior player participation at the Richmond club on the rise. We look forward to continuing our form and with Mataliki in support of our Premier club team we believe our club will get to the next level –the Fox Memorials shield competition in 2014.”

Fepuleai continued. “The support from our other business raffle sponsors is very much appreciated and we all wish Richmond Premier Coach Ming Mafoe and his coaching staff and management team a very successful year”.

Mataliki has it education centre in Mangere, Auckland and provides a complete child care centre.

 “Mataliki and Richmond Rovers Rugby league club have a long standing relationship; not only in terms of support for our Premier grade team jersey sponsorship, but through contribution to some of our club players from the Premiers and 2012 Premier 2nds Champions Tokes (Tokelaun team). Such players include outside back DeBarres who was “impressive in his 2013 debut for the Premier team last weekend against New Lynn Stags”, Molly Foai, Richmond Premier’s Manager explained.

“The purpose of Mataliki is to develop the individuality of all children are respected and recognized therefore we endeavor as educators to implement the curriculum of Te Whaariki to plan our programme according to the child's needs”. Administrator Lita (Foai) Foai said “We believe Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata is the extension of the child's family, helping them to feel a sense of belonging and their safety and well-being is well cared for and protected”.

Richmond Rovers Rugby league is also proud to announce Internationally recognized up-and-coming dance academy Saints Junior Dance Academy as the 2013 jersey sponsor for the Richmond Premier 1st grade team.

Richmond Rovers Rugby league is proud to announce internationally recognized up-and-coming dance academy Lil Saintz Dance Academy as the 2013 jersey sponsor for the Richmond Premier 1st grade team.

Established in 2006. Lil Saintz Dance Academy love to support & serve community, family, Church & charity events. Founded & establishing SAINTZ UP PERFORMING ARTS programme to give opportunity to every young person wanting to learn HIP HOP, choir, drama,  vocal lessons. 

“We’re really excited about this new relationship with a long time supporter of our club” said Gus Fepuleai, Richmond Rover’s club chairman. “The Premier 1st team is well represented with a number of players playing Prems this year and the club as a whole is evolving with junior and senior player participation at the Richmond club on the rise. We look forward to continuing our great form and with Saintz Dance Academy in support of our Premier 1st club team we believe our club will get to the next level –the Fox Memorials shield competition in 2014.”

Like the Saintz Dance Academy today
For Bookings & Info Contact: [email protected]

We still need to see some more volunteers come forward! Although a FREE Event always room for more.

There is still room to perform, If you know of anyone wanting to perform, sing, dance provide some free entertainment & give back to our mighty club then holla back at us.

We need to ensure we have a magical day for our young ones, the future of this club. We have over 2,500 followers on our Facebook page. Our flyer is going live on radio stations and Richmond will attract some heavy numbers on the Queens birthday Monday.

Come on ladies and gents let us know where you can help or what you can offer or donate what can you do to give back to junior players feel free to Private Message the team. Any thoughts and ideas, Gifts towards Prizes on games and activities would be greatly appreciated.

Hello all

Nominations are urgently being sought for any past or present Junior Players in their respective Positions from Grades U/6s - U/18s for the Team of the Century.

Coaches/Managers/Trainers/Physio's/Ball boys will also be considered as Centennial Officials

It is envisaged that a Historical Team will be announced at the Queen’s Birthday, Family Day, and “Opening Ceremony”

All past and present members are welcome to forward Nominations.   

Please spread the word to all, Past and Present

Submissions close 3.00pm, Monday, 27 May, 2013 and must be forwarded to the Coaching & Management Director, Peter Ah Kuoi on [email protected]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Our Queens Birthday Centenary Celebrations are on NEXT WEEKEND!!!  It’s fast approaching and some of our past Richmond legends have already flown into Auckland to celebrate our 100th year with us!!!

1.       To all those of you who have registered, booked and paid for selected Events- Thank you! You will receive confirmation of your booking this week, either by email (if you provided us with an email address) or by post.  The confirmation will be your receipt, no tickets will be issued, there will be a Register at the door at each Event.

2.       To those of you who have not yet registered and/or not yet selected Events to attend-

For catering purposes, we will need to have final numbers for all Events this week.  If you are intending to come to any of the Events on Queens Birthday Weekend -  YOU MUST MAKE YOUR BOOKING AND PAYMENT

BY THIS FRIDAY 24 MAY 2013 TO AVOID MISSING OUT

Hot tip: quickest way to book is to either:

1.       Click on this link http://www.richmondroversrugbyleague.com/100-year-registration.html or

2.       Visit our Richmond rovers website home page, click on the bulldog icon on the top right hand corner and follow the simple instructions

Looking forward to an exciting and memorable weekend for our Great and Mighty Club!

Richmond Centenary Committee

Richmond Prems 1st had a good week of training where coaches Henry Solomona and Jesse Bourke-Jackson were fortunate with the depth at training (up to 40 players). Going in to round 8 of the Sharman Cup the Premier 1st team selected featured players making their 2013 debut for the including prop forward Tere Strickland, outside back Bam Samuela and utility forward Tomasi Moala each playing their first game. Others returning from the rotation policy includes forward utilities Leonale Bourke, Paul McCauslin and Kennedy. 

Playing at Ranui Domain against the Waitemata Sea Gulls the team started with a hiss and a roar with multiple line and tackle breaks from our tireless forward pack. From the front captain Logan Wright lead the team with strong hit ups and off loads. His combination with back rower Leonale Bourke and brother Lance Wright in half back allowed Richmond to shoot to a 32-0 half time lead. This scored could have been higher had our kicker brought his kicking boots -landing 2 from 7.

A slow opening stanza to the second half meant the Prems 1st were slow to get out of the stumbling blocks. This however did not deter the defensive effort from back rowers Josh Tui, Siti Tautiga and hooker Josh Mana who performed with intensity.

The left side ran well with half back Robbie Vai'i running the show and putting his outside backs in open space. A pin point corner kick for winger Arnold was a game highlight and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Full time score was 52-0 which showed the Prems 1st only scored 20 points in the 2nd half. Coach Henry was happy with the result and stated "there is still a lot of work to do before the start of the second round". Last game of the round is this week; "we would love your away support as we take on the New Lynn stags" says the affamable Solomona. Player of the Day went to a young man who also scored on debut, Tere Strickland.

The Good: Everyones putting their hand up to make our 25 man squad
The Bad: Need to dominate the whole 80 minutes.
The Ugly: Logan Wright going over in the corner for a try but runs around the post to make it easier for our kicker, but stands on the dead ball line (good one captain). 

Richmond Rovers Rugby League Club is proud to announce a very exciting development within the club.

The Surrey Hotel in Grey Lynn has aligned themselves with one of the oldest and largest sports club in the inner Auckland city region as a sponsor.  It is exciting times for the club with the growth of rugby league continuing through the exposure of its players represented in the Vodafone Warriors, Richmond celebrating its 100th centenary year over the Queen’s birthday weekend and the fact that 2013 is Rugby league World Cup year with the NZ Kiwis as defending champions.

The Surrey Hotel’s high profile sits comfortably with Richmond’s own profile within the larger Grey Lynn community.  Club Chairman Gus Fepuleai commented “it is tough for the Richmond Rovers club to maintain our high standards both on the field and off.  The generous support of The Surrey Hotel allows us to continue our development.  As the Club celebrates its 100th centenary year we are setting a high benchmark for our club both on and off the field”.

Denise King, added “The Surrey Hotel is delighted to be partnering with one of Grey Lynn’s, if not the greater inner city regions, most successful sports clubs which has had over 50 Kiwi International players developed from this local club. We see it as a great opportunity to assist the club with the development of their junior and senior players from the Richmond juniors ages five up to the premiers aged thirty plus years of age. The Richmond club is dedicated to making rugby league accessible and fun for everyone from the social player to those more serious”.

Over recent years the Richmond Rovers club has developed a strong and growing Junior Academy programme which assists younger players who show talent early on and helps them progress into potentially representing rep teams and maybe even New Zealand one day. 

The Richmond Prems 1st played the Manurewa Marlins at Grey Lynn Park in a confrontational battle. After last weekend's narrow 16-10 loss to the East Coast Bays in atrocious weather we as a team needed to lift our game.

The Prems 1st team started well scoring two converted tries with good quick the ball and back up in support play. With injury (groin strain) to centre Ben Collins in the first half the Prems 1st were down to three prop forwards on the bench with back rower Andrew Kake filling in the outside backs. In a grind type match Manurewa scored two tries of their own in the closing first half stanza to take the game 12-10 to Richmond.

With a stern talking to by coach Henry Solomona at half time the forwards went back to basics and set a good platform for the halves who were creative with free flowing plays. With Rob Vai'i on debut and half back Harry Vete kicking in to space the team began to chime as one. The outside backs completed what the forward pack had begun with tries to second rower Andrew Kake, full back Francis Gallagher and Harry Vete. Harry had a superb day with the boot converting all the second half tries to take the final score to 38-20. A superb effort from the Prems 1st team especially from our Player of the Day, Zac Tui in hooker

The Good: Big ups to Rob Vai'i (pictured above) who played a dominating passing game at standoff.
The Bad: Rob playing a complete game but also spending 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul
The Ugly:  Professional foul came to be because Rob was standing behind the Manurewa half back and waited until he got the ball before he spot tackled him in the back, Good one mate! Don't forget your penalty.

All the elements came together in a top of the table clash, when the Richmond Premiers met East Coast Bays at Freyburg Park. In almost squally weather conditions, the Richmond Premiers were determined to re-write the history books, having not won at the grounds in four years.

The visitors wasted no time in capitalising off early field advantage six minutes after kick off, when Five...-eighth and Premier season debutante Josh Mana fed a short pass to second Rower Toafofoa Sipley who forced his way over the line despite the efforts of several Barracuda defenders. Josh Mana successfully converted the try.

Despite new combinations forming this week, coach Ming Mafoe was pleased with the performance of all of his players. Josh Mana and Savi Hafoka took full control of the halves, their fellow Premier season debutantes Fia Isaia & Logan Wright also contributed by laying a solid platform for the forward momentum to continue throughout the entire game.

Half time welcomed the next try, when Richmond’s vice captain, Joe Alesi charged across the line after a high ball was gathered 15 metres out from the try line, Josh Mana added the goal.

Richmond Premiers produced a stirring defensive play, even captain Karl Simeti's flu could not keep him at bay leading the tackle count with 34, despite resting a third of the game. While both teams were solid defensively, Richmond dominated the battle. Second Rowers, Siliga Kepaoa and Toafofoa Sipley and veteran Vae Kalolo constantly put their hand up leading the way up the middle and out wide. Off the bench, Ben Seve demonstrated his enthusiasm and impact while covering for his captain at loosie with barn-storming plays.

Spectator and Richmond’s chairman, Gus Fepuleai was ecstatic, “Our defence was outstanding in the wet weather, you are only as good as your defence and it scared the life out of them” (Barracudas).

Not even the storm-like conditions could phase fullback Meke Unasa's stellar performance under the high ball. Never too far away in support and of the same stellar form were the wingers Mafola Timaloa & Edwin Pita.

The home team scored a consolation try two minutes from full time, final score 12-4 to Richmond.

Coach Ming Mafoe credits the entire team for the win. “Our focus this week was on our attacking part of our game plan. Taking into consideration the weather, players should be proud of themselves. Each player from 1-17 had a role to do, they stuck to their team plan and outperformed themselves”, he said.
Mafoe also acknowledged the supporters who tirelessly continue to back their boys in the blue and maroon week on week, rain or shine.

Player of the day: Vae Kalolo
Next game: Manurewa Marlins, Grey Lynn Park. 2.30pm