Congratulations to the following Akarana Under 15 representative players from Richmond including: Daymon Abbey, Dylan Tavita, Carlos Henry. Mikey Williams, Sione Ngahe, Chanel Harris­ Tavita, Hayes Okesene, Soane Hufanga and Keaston Schmidt. 

Also congratulations and best of luck to former Richmond Premier coach Frank Fuimaono and Richmond Junior grade manager Anita Smith-McKinnon who form the Akarana Under 15s coaching and management team. 

Click here for more information

The Richmond Under 8s played Bay Roskill RED. Well done to Vincent Ieriko on his great performance who was also awarded player of the day. Final score 20-20 Draw.

Richmond Under 13s coached by Premier player Bronson Harden and Managed by Denise Dunn played the Glenora Bears. Player of the Day went to Timor Holo-Williams. Highlight of the day went to Glenora who have a big heart and didn't give up despite playing short of a full team. Final score Richmond 48 - Glenora 8. 

Congratulations to the following players from Richmond who have been selected for the Akarana Under 15s team. Well done on your appointment and we wish you all the very best on your series.
Daymon Abbey
Dylan Tavita
Carlos Henry
Mikey Williams
Sione Ngahe
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Hayes Okesene
Soane Hufanga
Keaston Schmidt

Talofa family and our beloved Richmond Under 18s

We have 8 players registered and we are looking for another 8 before we can take the field even though all we need is another 5 players. 8 so we can ensure to last the season. We will continue to train every Tuesday and Thursday until we find the required number of players.

Are you up for a challenge? Do you want to keep testing yourself as a league player? Do you know of someone looking for a team to play for? That is what is going on at the moment with our Under 18s team.

Am not going to lie, it is a very frustrating time but we can register a team any time throughout the season. We are going to persevere. I will continue to give you updates. We appreciate those who have signed up already and if your thinking of signing up please feel free to contact me and come down to the club. 

Faafetailava and God bless - Mathew Timaloa

By LAUREN PRIESTLEY
Source: Harbour News

 A century-old club is breaking new ground by going cold turkey this year.
Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports Club, based at Grey Lynn Park, has been alcohol-free since March 17.

"We're basically promoting this as a sports club, not a drinking club," chairman Gus Fepuleai says.

"It's about forward thinking and trying to get alcohol right away from our kids. We've got to change that culture of drinking and sports that's been around forever."

The decision was made because of issues with drinking in Grey Lynn Park where antisocial behaviour, noise and litter have been the subject of frequent complaints from neighbours in the past three years, he says.

The club wants to bring the focus back to sport.

"Rugby league has been copping the stick for a long time and it's about time we're doing something positive.

"Someone has to take the lead. It's our performance on the field that is important and looking after the welfare of our players, kids and community."

The club will lose revenue from the bar but will save money by not needing to hire additional staff and extra security at the premises, Mr Fepuleai says.

Grey Lynn Residents Association chairman Dan Salmon says the decision to remove alcohol is a brave one.

The sports club has been working hard to foster relationships with other organisations in the area as well as the park's neighbours, he says.

"I think it's a big and bold step they've made to try and address those issues.

"I really hope they get support from the community and the club for doing it. It's definitely something to watch and hopefully other sports clubs around the country might follow."

Waitemata Local Board deputy chairwoman Pippa Coom says the club has made the decision with its future in mind.

"It's really courageous that they've done it. I know it is a difficult decision for them but I personally think they've really done the right thing."

Mr Fepuleai says the board is also pushing for new facilities at the Grey Lynn Park site and is starting a two to five-year business plan to increase membership with the aim of keeping Richmond going for the next 100 years.

The club wants to take part in the Grey Lynn Park Festival this year and will focus on selling healthy drinks and food at the clubrooms, he says.

"It's about the values and letting the kids know what is right and what is wrong.

"You can access alcohol anywhere. What's the big deal with not having it right in front of our kids' faces?"

Play rugby league in 2014, join a league club, learn to play rugby league, rugby league muster.

Schoolboys (4-18 years) & Seniors Muster

Muster at the Richmond Rovers Rugby League club rooms:
 Thursday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th March

What to Bring
All players you can download, print and complete the player registration form and bring it along.
New players please also bring a copy of a birth certificate or passport.

The Richmond Rovers will be establishing even more junior restricted teams in 2014. A restricted team has maximum weight for players, this makes sure even the little guys can have a great time playing league without the concern of playing against physically much larger kids. To give you an idea the restricted grades last season are listed here.

Any questions?
Contact our club secretary Naomie on 021 106 3698, or just turn up on the day and we’ll be happy to help out with any queries you have.

By Jess Lee of Stuff.co.nz

Months of hard work and sacrifice have paid off for the Richmond Rovers side who were crowned champions at the Auckland Rugby League under-20 grand final.

Richmond trounced Papakura 32-18 at Cornwall Park on Sunday allowing them to finish their impressive season at the top of the table.

Coach Luisa Avaiki says the newly crowned champions are ecstatic with the win.

It was a slow start for the central Auckland side, with Papakura coming out firing to take the first two tries.

But as soon as Richmond had their first points on the board the winners' medals were as good as theirs, Avaiki says.

"They have worked really hard for this and have sacrificed a lot since we started pre-season training in November last year.

"We set ourselves some goals and we've reached them."

This is the first time in more than four years the Grey Lynn club has been able to enter a team at this level of the competition.

Many of the players competed with last year's under-18s side and will now be looking to move further up the ranks next year.

Not only are our Richmond Rovers Rugby league club Senior teams excelling in our Centenary Year, our Richmond teenagers are also very successful in 2013.  For the first time in several years Richmond has 4 teenage teams in the Top 4, competing for the Championship Titles.
 
Congratulations to our U20s, U18s, U16s and U16s and U14s players, coaches and managers. We are proud of you all- all the very best for the Semifinals. 2013 is turning out to be a Golden Year in so many ways.

Read more here

Richmond Prems  THROWDOWN is all good to go with x12 teams all registered and amping. A BIG  THANK YOU to all those supporting the cause and looking foward to the Richmond  Pride being pushed to its potential on Feb 16th.

We also want to thank those Richmond Junior Teams, and other Sports teams/clubs who were willing to support the cause. Our Priority was first & foremost our RICHMOND SENIORS. Hopefully later down the track prior to the Season commencing we can organise another event.

Below are the teams who will be competing. Team Captains, I would strongly recommend bringing your team every Sat mornings to the Senior Pre Season camp, 7am, Les Mills-CrossFit HPU (Victoria St). This will allow an insight into the types of exercises expected, as the programme and rules will only be given out on the day of Event by Mark Michaels (Prems Head trainer).

1.    Richmond Roses,
2.    Richmond Uso.s,
3.    Richmond Ali'is,
4.    Richmond  Tokes,
5.    Richmond U/20's,
6.    Tag Samoa Open Mens
7.    Tag Samoa  Mixed,
8.    Richmond Prems/Resvs,
9.    Richmond Prems/Resvs,
10.   Ricmond Prems/Resvs,
11.  Richmond Prems/Resvs,
12.   Richmond  Prems/Resvs

*REMINDERS*
- Competing Teams Need to be  @ Les Mills Car Park 0630am for De-Brief
- Please have Team Rego Fee to Molly  (team manager) before Feb 9th. $40 per team.
- Richmond Throwdown Games will  commence @ 7am sharp.
- We strongly encourage to bring your families and  teams for support. Any children, Please DO NOT let them run around Venue for  safety reason's.
- Each team to provide their own Water,
- Bring Work Out  Towel & Runners,

* VERY IMPORTANT*
- Team Captains, this will be a WORK OUT session, so please make sure your Players have no serious medical conditions or injuries. Its a team building event, lets have some serious fun with out any issues.

"Richmond THROWDOWN Programme"
0630am - Team(s) debrief
0700am - Games commence
0800am - Games finish (Prize giving)
0830am - Sausage Sizzle & Light Refreshments @ Victoria Park (playground area)

Thank you to Steven Glucina from LJ Hookers, Ponsonby for his $1,000 donation. Late last year, Liz Ah Kuoi recommended Steven to the Yandall family, who then appointed Steven as their preferred real estate agent, Steven wrapped up the sale on 24 Dec, and he paid $1000 to our Richmond Rovers Rugby league club from his already favorably priced commission- as per Steven’s promise to give the Club $1000 for every referral that leads to a sale. So if you or someone you know is planning to sell your home please make contact with Steven Glucina and let him know your from the Richmond Rovers club.

A special thanks must go out also to Liz for making the referral, and also more importantly the Yandall family for selecting and entrusting Steven with selling their family home and thereby benefiting the Club with $1000, and of course Steven for donating $1000 to us.

In 2013, the Richmond Rovers rugby league club hope to cater to all our junior and senior members. Auckland Rugby League have confirmed the following grades and weight. For more information please contact us. Click here to read here.

Grade Weight Allowance (Up to)
U/6 Restricted 25 Kgs
U/7 Restricted 30 Kgs
U/8 Restricted 35 Kgs
U/9 Restricted 40 Kgs
U/10-11 Restricted 47 Kgs
U/12-13 Restricted 60 Kgs
U/14-15 Restricted 70 Kgs
U/16-17 Restricted 80 Kgs
Colts Restricted (18-20) 85 Kgs
Open Age Restricted 85 Kgs

** Free Mini-Mod Referees Course **
 • Mini & Mod Referees Course (Wednesday 25th April), Richmond Clubrooms from 1pm - 4pm. Bring own whistle, pen and paper to take notes.
 • Names of officials/parents or players (U16s, 17s & 18s) who wish to participate by this coming Thursday, 19th April for confirmation of numbers. Ideally, it would be best if we had 2-3 participants from each grade to undergo this Course.
 • Sausage sizzle will be provided at the conclusion of the course.
 • Note: This is a 3 hour course and it is FREE
 See Sali Watch on training nights to register

RICHMOND MATCH REPORTS
Under 9s: Richmond 8 – Te Atatu 48

Under 8s: Draw 16 all with Te Atatu

Under 9s: Richmond 8 – Te Atatu 48

Under 10s: Richmond 24 – 4 win.  Played against Pt Chev.
On Saturday the kids had a really good game.  They played hard and really played as a team.  It was good to see lots of kids improving and using some of the ball skills and moves that they are practising at training.  Our new players in the team had some really good runs and also made some excellent tackles.  Congratulations to Mareco Mafoe who was our player of the day.  Mareco played an excellent game, scoring almost a 100 metre runaway try.  Well done Mareco.  I would also like to mention Josh and Matt Thompson, Terryn Duzevich and Connor Tapu who also played really well today.  Well done team and keep up the awesome work. 
Thanks Under 10s Management.

Under 13s: Played Mt Wellington and had a loss 30-12.
We played perhaps the best team in the competition and came away 2nd but a lot wiser. The first half we had hardly any ball and when we did, it was deep in our half and struggled for any ground. It doesn't help when you have three penalties and they don't find the line. The second half, we had a change of tactics and scored the next two tries. Dylan Tavita converted both and one from out wide. In the end, the effort to tackle in the first half and poor field position took its toll. Learnt a lot about our game and some changes to be made at training.
POD: Nelson Lagiono
BF: Hayes Okesene
BB: Nathan Ngaropo
Coaches Award: Cullen Tanoa & Ezael Tautuki

Richmond 15s- Sat 21 April v Manukau at Grey Lynn Park.
In our first home game of the season, the pressure was on after our heavy loss the week before.  We did a lot of work during the week on defence and staying tight as a team, and our Richmond Junior Academy Coaches, Junior Fiu and Peter Ah Kuoi, also helped us out with their awesome coaching skills.
The boys started well and stuck to the game plan throughout.  This paid its rewards, as the forwards ran effective ruck plays which opened up space for our backs.  Even better was that our backs responded to the call to show courage on defence.  Centre Mitchuel Elima in particular didn’t miss a tackle and made many dummy half runs, while stand-off Logan Mansson topped the tackle count.  4 tries later, Richmond went into halftime leading 18-4.
The second half saw Manukau make a comeback.  As our fitness slowed, Manukau made more inroads.  However, the boys kept making the tackles that counted.  We dropped down to 12 players on the field and Manukau got a couple of late tries just to keep the coach’s heart beating more than normal, but we ran out winners 22-20.  Credit to the boys for staying tight and working hard as a team.  This was a 116 point turn-around from last week’s game (probably will be a Richmond record for the season !).  Players of the day were centre Mitchuel Elima and blockbusting hard-running prop Toru William.

Under 16s: won 48-6 against Manukau. Great start to the season... some nice touches from the halves, leading to some good team tries... congrats to our 4 new boys making there debuts for us - Ara, Khaleb, Sam & Paxton, we look forward to seeing you guys developing over the season... Otherwise we still got lots of room for improvement, see ya all down at the CAGE next Tues... The coaching staff would also like to congratulate both Jamon & Casey on there games last nite for the St Pauls 1st 13, get better soon Casey its still a long season & a great effort by Jamon on backing up less than 24hrs later to help the team out today.

Please ensure you take a note, absorb all of the below information, pass on any relevant information to your parents especially regarding SUPPORT for the 1st CLUB social see details below.
* Thursday, 5 April (today) - Distribution of gears. Managers to sign for gears issued between 5pm - 6pm (please collect today)
* Thursday, 12 April - Coaches and Managers meeting from 6.15pm - 7.30pm - all to attend
* Saturday, 14 April - Mini/Mod and International Grades commence
* Saturday, 14 April - Club Social (Adults) - $5.00 entry, all Junior officials (ie Coaches, Asst Coaches, Managers, Asst Managers, Trainers etc) to support.  For the team that has the most parent support at the Club Social, a bar tab will be arranged.

The mouthguards have arrived and will be issued to team managers for players who have paid their fees as at 3 April 2012.  Any player who pays their fees this evening will be issued their mouthguard after signing the necessary paperwork. Drink bottles will be distributed to team managers for players who have paid their fees either part payment or full and issued on Thursday 12th April during training times.  Managers to collect. Shorts and socks will be available for sale Tuesday & Thursday evenings, commencing Thursday, 10th April from 5pm - 6.15pm. Sorry, no sales on Saturday mornings.

Junior mouthguards - Grades Under 6s - U10s
Youth mouthguards - Grades Under 11s - 15s
Adult - Grades Under 16s up
All mouthguards $5.00 - Saturday mornings to be sold at the Richmond Canteen

See you all at training.
Richmond COMS

A much welcomed surprise visit to the Richmond Club from former RIchmond Premier grade player and current Manly Sea Eagles NRL Champion (2009 and 2011) Steve Matai.

Playing the Vodafone Warriors in Round 1 the visiting Richmond player attended the Richmond Youth Development and Training Programme and spoke highly of his time with the Richmond Club. Many of the Richmond boys enjoyed having the former Mt Albert Grammar player at training to share some thoughts and pass on some advice to the next generation of Richmond juniors coming through the Richmond club.

From the management team at Richmond we thank Steve Matai for taking the time out of his busy schedule to show his passion for the Richmond Club. BECOME A 100 CLUB MEMBER TODAY!