The Richmond Premiers take on the 2nd place Mt Albert Lions at Fowlds Park this Saturday. Coach Ming Mafoe takes with him a very hungry to win Premier team full of experience and some of the clubs young up and coming talent. Richmond field some of the clubs finest players including: Jason Tavita, Siliga Kepaoa, Karl Simeti and last weekends late inclusion prop forward Logan Wright. Complemented by the enthusiasm of young guns Damon Niko, Petelo Faasee and Keneti Atmore. Last weekends 1 point loss to the Glenora Bears will no doubt fire up the Bulldogs this week who seek to fire up against the local rival club who boast former Richmond players Niuvao Taka, Brad Watkins, Jordan Tuarae and Daniel Palavi. Expect fireworks! 

This game promises to be full of impact, hard hits and strong hit ups from both teams. The Richmond Premiers will need all the support they can get as they are expecting a great battle upfront and will need all Bulldogs supporters in attendance as the team are desperate to put a solid performance together for a first up win in 2014! Premier 1st continue their three game winning streak and hope to make it four. Premier 1st kick off at 12.45pm. Premier kick off 2.30pm.

Shout out to our loyal sponsors: LJ Hooker Ponsonby,Waterview Laundromat, Waterview Superette & Lotto,Giltrap Group, Peter Fell Concrete & Shamrock Reroofing.

Richmond Rovers Rugby league club held an informal event held at the Richmond club room on Thursday 3rd March to welcome its 2014 sponsors. Representatives from the sponsors businesses attended what was a pleasant reminder that Richmond Rovers is a club that has great brand recognition and a management team second to none. 

Each sponsor received a special sponsors Richmond jersey. Sponsors were then given the opportunity to speak to the Richmond Premier players who were left with a good impression of Richmond in 2014. Premier players were presented their team polo tops in recognition of their hard work over the preseason training. 

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?"

RICHMOND ROVERS RUGBY LEAGUE & SPORTS CLUB TO BECOME ALCOHOL FREE IN 2014

The Richmond Rovers Board of Directors has taken the lead to make the Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports Club an alcohol free club. This means the Richmond Rovers Club will not be serving any alcoholic beverage at the club in 2014 with immediate effect.

This forward thinking move by the Board of Directors is supported by club members but will no doubt have many wondering what is behind this brave change. “The Richmond Club bar will lose some revenue”, says Chairman Gus Fepuleai, but the Board of Directors anticipates positive growth by “building relationships with local businesses, organisations and agencies who are in support of the sports club taking a stand against alcohol”.  Fepuleai’s’ confidence has already gained merit with the club’s alcohol free policy receiving 100% backing from its major sponsors L.J Hooker (Ponsonby), Giltrap Prestige (VW), ACR Roofing and Waterview Laundromat.

Revenue from the Richmond Club bar has been falling for a number of years which has been made worse by the number of volunteer hours and resources required from the Board to organise paid bar staff and security. Add to this the growing complaints and concerns from local Grey Lynn Park residents regarding undesirable drinking behavior in the park’s vicinity.

To combat these problems all senior club alcohol related after match functions, and club social fundraisers will be held at Richmond’s partner premises: The Grey Lynn Tavern, located at 523 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.  The Richmond club will remain open as normal for Junior and Senior team prize-giving, non-alcoholic functions, meetings of local groups, fitness groups, community activities and club run seminars.

Fepuleai believes the “club’s members will support the positive benefits” of a no alcohol tolerance policy following many highly publicised alcohol related incidents of professional rugby league stars from the Australasian NRL competition.  Voicing his proposal in front of a vocal public forum held at the Richmond Rovers Clubrooms on Wednesday 29 January 2014, the Chairman commented that “2014 will be a year of change and the rugby league code itself needs to become more forward thinking”.

Sideline spectators who choose to bring alcoholic beverages to the Grey Lynn Park grounds will be encouraged to drink in moderation, however Fepuleai is under no illusions and understands his and the Board of Directors limitations in addressing this behavior. The Auckland City Council already has imposed liquor ban notices surrounding Grey Lynn Park and other parks throughout the city. Fepuleai has indicated that “we will strongly encourage and promote to our Richmond club members, family, friends and supporters to consume alcohol in moderation”.

MORE

As part of its work to build a stronger community-centered club, the Board of Directors, with the support of the Richmond Rovers club members, will focus on a 2-5 year business plan that includes plans to increase junior and senior club membership and its continued campaign to attain Waitemata Community Board and Auckland Council support for a brand new Richmond Rovers Club room facility.

With over 500 paid club members in 2013 it is hoped that Fepuleai’s vision will cater to the needs of the club members, the community and other sporting codes currently sharing the Grey Lynn Park grounds including American Grid Iron, Tag Football, Touch Football and Netball.

Richmond Club Treasurer and local Grey Lynn Park resident Graeme Atmore believes the focus of the Club needs to go towards creating better people and opportunities, “to eliminate the hassles of alcohol would enable the Richmond Board to focus on more meaningful projects”.

Benefits of an alcohol free club include:

• An innovative framework of alcohol management that enhances family friendly values
• Encouragement of Grey Lynn community spirit
• A safer community with less temptation for at risk drink drivers
• Reduction in the misuse of alcohol and related problems for club members
• Saving of money otherwise spent on alcohol by players, supporters and club members
• Health gains for players, club members and their families
• Display of club support for the Premier coaching team who self-imposed a liquor ban for the Premier team during the 2013 season
• Opportunity for combined Senior and Junior prize giving at every home game
• An improved club image encouraging a favorable outlook from junior member’s parents, the wider community and funding agencies (ASB community trust and the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) etc.
• No need for paid licensed bar staff
• No need for paid security staff
• Reduction in club operating expenses
• Reduced maintenance costs of premises wear and tear
• No need for club members to police fundraisers and lock up after social functions
• No more noise complaints from Grey Lynn Park residents
• No more complaints of broken bottles outside the club premises and in car parks
• No more late night drinkers at the club room
• An opportunity to build relationships with local businesses
• An opportunity to obtain sponsorship with corporate socially responsible businesses

 
For more information contact:

Gus Fepuleai, ph: 021 0836 9836
Graeme Atmore, ph: 021 360040

The Richmond Rovers rugby league club has entered into a partnership with Revival massage therapy.

Revival massage therapy, a short distance from the Richmond home club at 498 Great North road, Grey Lynn is a new friend of the Richmond club and a current member of the Grey Lynn Business Association.

Chairman Gus Fepuleai hails the new partnership as a natural fit for both parties. The Richmond Rovers rugby league club is excited to have Revival massage therapy on board as a club partner.” He said “The Therapeutic, Sports and Relaxation Massage is a great fit for the club and attracts over 1,000 people each weekend to its club, with a large percentage being Grey Lynn residents.

The partnership, based on the successful model the Richmond club has used with other local businesses, will see the two organisations work closely together to offer club members an enhanced experience and increased interaction with the Richmond club's Premier grade players.

Viv Butler, owner and massage therapist at Revival massage therapy, is excited about the partnership.

"Rugby league is a very popular sport in the Grey Lynn community so I'm thrilled that revival massage can support the local rugby league community," she said.

Receive off your first one hour massage when you mention you are from the Richmond Rovers club. Furthermroe all Richmond members will receive 15% off. Revival massage therapy also have concession packages available. Book an appointment today, for you or someone you love!

Revival massage therapy work closely along side other health professionals such as physiotherapists, pilates instructors, dietitians, breathing specialists, PT's and more.

Revival Massage,
498 Great North Road,
Grey Lynn, Auckland
Phone: (09) 213 9557 | 021 816 338
Email: info@revivalmassage.co.nz

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: SaintzAcademy@gmail.com

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. 

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.