Old Students Weekend - Sept 16-17 - Final Programme

Greetings Wesleyans,

Here's the final programme for Old Students' Weekend which, as you surely know, is taking a place a little earlier than usual. Why? Well, there's several reasons not least the opening night of the college's production of Jesus Christ Superstar (and the inaugural meeting of the Wesley College Old Boys Rugby Club).

Now it's really important that you REGISTER if you're coming along. The school has to have a good idea about numbers so they can order in sufficient kai to stop us all raiding the kitchen. And the best way to register is to email me at commander@clear.net.nz (though you can bother the good women in the school office if you must).

Please get in touch with all the old students you can think of and pass this message on. We rely on word of mouth to spread the news and luckily for us Wesleyans have big mouths. But make sure you tell them to REGISTER.

Righto... enough nagging! Here's the weekend's programme:

Saturday, September 16th

9:30am Official Opening for Old Students' Weekend - Powhiri
Wesley College Whare Wananga

10:00am 21st Birthday Breakfast for Old Girls
Rec Lounge
Morning Tea for Old Boys & Powhiri guests
Dining Room

10:30am Tour of the School
Those tired of eating are invited to meet Roger Jolley outside the school office for a guided tour around the College grounds. The "Jolley Roger" will provide expert commentary.

Noon Official Old Students' Feast
Dining Room
Lots of lies to be told as we all remember how great we used to be. This lunch is in honour of old students' stalwart Ernie Lepper who we hope will be in attendance.

1.45pm Netball: Old Girls v Current Students
The Rec
Ten minute quarters with a 5min half-time

2:40pm Rugby: Old Boys v Current Students
Field One
35 minutes each way, 5min half-time

4:15pm Wesley College Old Boys Rugby Club Meeting
Rec Lounge
All other students and family are invited to gather at the RSA in Pukekohe [behind the Pukekohe Town Hall] to relax, reminisce and refresh

7.30pm Wesley College Musical - Jesus Christ Superstar
School Hall
Gold Coin entry

Sunday, September 17

10.00am Chapel Service
Memoriam for Absent Friends – the names of all those old students who have passed will be read out during the service, and later recorded in the Collegian with a brief synopsis of each

Morning tea to follow Chapel in the Dining Room

WCOSA AGM to follow in the Dining Room

Lunch to follow the AGM in the Dining Room

**

Now how much would you expect to pay for such an array of extraordinary events? Dean Lonergan would hit you up for a hundred bucks at least but the Wesley College Old Students Association (WCOSA) is much more generous. The cost for the weekend, which includes your WCOSA annual fee is just $35. THAT'S AN UNBELIEVABLE BARGAIN... (quick someone tell Steve Tindall!) But wait it gets better. Ohhhhh yes.

SEND NO MONEY NOW! That's right. Pay on the day at the registration table will be up in the dining room hall. But do email commander@clear.net.nz to tell us you're coming.

NOTE: The cost for adult guests - spouses, partners, siblings, friends etc - of Wesleyans is just $15. Kiddies are free.

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Old Boys RFC - update

After the gloomy news of the past couple of days, Wesleyans will be cheered by word that the Wesley College Old Boys Rugby Club is gaining real momentum. A meeting for all interested parties will be held over Old Students weekend - more details to be posted tomorrow.

As we said in the first post, whether the club remains in the realm of dreams depends on whether we Wesleyans want it badly enough. And the evidence, so far, is that we do: Here's a great email we received from Duane Taiapa (WTC 1988-1992) -

I'd like to express my interest in the Wesley College Old Boys Club, what a fantastic idea.

I live in London and recently returned to Tamaki to visit family and friends and popped down to school to see the 1sts whip Waiuku Under 21's and the 2nds smash Papakura High 1sts.

I take immense pride in Wesley and to see them perform well on the field and off (kapa Haka, academically etc) can only make me feel even more pride in a school I will always had fond memories of. The idea of an old boys rugby club will not only enhance that feeling with a togetherness for all old boys of the school but will give older current students possibly a sense of connection to the school once they have left, and may make that transition from schoolboy to adult just that little bit easier.

As an old boy who lives overseas, I only receive information about school from old school mates (2nd XV trainer Brett Johnson has his finger on the pulse) and my Uncle, Hostel Manager Bill Leach (and this is usually about as regular as bus in Auckland outside the rugby season.)

Seeing your blog, has kept me more up to date in the past few weeks than in the last 14 years since I left.

Please keep me in mind as a keen supporter of the rugby club, even though I'm on the other side of the world, am an avid fan and supporter and a very proud Wesley Old Boy.

Best regards,
Duane Taiapa (WTC 88-92)

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Vuga Tagicakibau update

As much as we Wesleyans love our rugby, the game was put into some perspective by the serious injury suffered by Vuga Tagicakibau in the last minute of the match. Vuga seemed to hurt his neck contesting for the ball and initially had no feeling in his legs. The game was called off early with Vuga lying motionless on his back as an ambulance sped to the College. It was a frightening hour for the little halfback and, indeed, for the whole Wesley family. Happily, Vuga is okay: he has damaged the AC joint in the shoulder but is now jumping around like his old self.

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Close But No Cigar

The 1st XV, spurred on a black 'n' white coloured hillside of singing, chanting Wesleyans, could only draw with Rotorua BHS on Tuesday. Herewith coach Chris Bean's match report:

Wesley College 1st XV v Rotorua BHS 1st XV
Date: 29/8/06
Venue: WTC - Chiefs Championship Round 2

The match against Rotorua BHS would decide which side (Hamilton, Rotorua or Wesley) would progress through to the Top Four as the Chiefs' representative after Rotorua upset Hamilton BHS on Saturday. For Wesley to progress we needed to win by a 16+ margin, while Rotorua just needed a draw or a win. If Wesley won by less than 16 points, then Hamilton would go through.

Earlier in the year, Wesley and Rotorua had fought out a 13-all draw and this game would be another tense and exciting affair.

Rotorua take the lead after 15 minutes when a clearing kick is charged down by a (shockingly offside - ed) player who regathers the ball to score. His(unjust - ed) try is converted - Rotorua lead 7-0.

Wesley respond quickly and come close to scoring. They are able to keep Rotorua pinned in their 22 and five minutes later, from a scrum ,the ball is spun out to Heremaia Pene at second-five who slices through the Rotorua backline and scores by the posts. Hooker Sione Anai’alangi converts and it's 7-7. From the restart, Wesley make inroads and then Tino Halalilo throws a long pass out to the rampaging No.8 John Sikuea who breaks through the defence, draws in the last defender, then offloads to David Raikuna who scores in the corner. 12-7 to Wesley. And the end of the first half.

The second half sees Wesley placed under early pressure. Rotorua respond quickly and pass the ball along the line to score in the corner - 12-12. The remainder of the half sees Wesley make several scorching breaks but desperate defence keeps us at bay. Rotorua withstand this pressure and as the clock runs down so does the opportunity to achieve the required margin. Rotorua then move the Wesley side back into our 22 and with a minute remaining halfback Vuga Tagicakibau suffers a serious injury which sees the match end. For the second time this year both sides finish a titanic battle with a draw.

C.W.Bean

**

You may have noticed a few editorial "improvements" to Chris Bean's above report. A few (more) observations from the sideline:

1. Wesley's 1st XV has performed far better than anyone predicted at the start of the season. This was a young and inexperienced side with only four players returning from the powerful '04-'05 team.
2. Having said that, the team's rapid improvement heightened expectations amongst supporters. This team, on its day, was as good as any in the country. But they seemed to lose their way towards the business end of the season.
3. One obvious reason for this was the loss of captain Pomana Taniwha (off in Hawaii on scholarship). Without Taniwha and other key players such as 2nd-five Kingi, we lacked leadership. While old hands like Asa Lehauli did their best, there didn't seem to be anyone running the show.
4. Indeed, you could compare them to the support. While there were moments when the Wesley support posse was as mad and bad as ever, there were long periods of the game when they were virtually mute. There didn't appear to be any one person leading and co-ordinating the support.
5.None of this should take anything away from the boys who gave it their all. We were the better side on the day and had at least five clear try-scoring opprotunities. We also passed up three very kickable penalties in our quest to score the points we needed to go through.

It just wasn't to be. Still this team, bolstered by some new talent, has the potential to do us proud next year. Just a matter now of developing the technique, discipline, fitness, desire and humility that you need to win the big games.

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More on JC Superstar

Misjay just posted these comments on the site - "Here is my list of special VIP invitations to the show on Saturday, September 16th - these are past Drama Queens who went on to bigger and better things, but were nevertheless part of the era when Wesley first began its steps on the stage.

Anna Seccombe - Dance captain extraordinaire
Brenda Sheat - 'Turn Back Oh Man'
Sepa Saleopulu - Singstar 1992
Kirk Manihera - I wouldn't forget you Pirate King
Seilala Mapusua - Yes, we remember that you were once Samuel, fellow pirate
Mike Given - The best cop on the block
Rolando Hanipale - I remember that aeroplane song... what was it?
Adrienne Vickers - Dancing Queen
Chay Roberts - Twinkletoes... no, I haven't forgotten that cradle lift.

There are many more, and I'm sorry if I left you out! The entire casts and crews of Godspell (which you can view before the show), Murder at the Music Hall (which possibly no one wants to view again) and Pirates of Penzance have special seats reserved. Just let me know if you're coming...

The Old Students performance will be a special memorial performance in honour of Richard Honey, another Wesleyan thespian.

Looking forward to seeing you there!"

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Lifeline

After their loss to Hamilton Boys last week, it looked as if Wesley's season was over. However, Rotorua Boys upset Hamilton 17-16 over the weekend giving Wesley another chance. If Rotorua win they progress to the Top Four as the Chiefs' representative. But if Wesley win by 16 points or more, they go through.

Now this is a big ask. Rotorua are a strong side and are unlikely to be pushed around by a Wesley side missing several key players. But we are playing at home, we'll have the sun on our backs (forecast is good) and we've got absolutely nothing to lose.

Most importantly, we'll be backed by the frenzied Wesley whanau. So if you can skive off work, get out to the College for 1pm tomorrow (Tuesday). But make sure you've practised the haka in the shower that morning.

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Wesley in Metro

Wesley came in at 14th place in Metro magazine's list of the Top 25 schools in Auckland (August issue). Since 11 of the 13 schools ranked above Wesley were decile 10 schools - located in the city's wealthiest areas - this was a mighty achievement (Wesley is rated decile two). Anyway, the article provoked an orgy of toy-throwing from those schools that had dipped out. In the latest (September) issue of Metro, there's a heap of letters from disaffected Grammar boys and other born-to-rule tossers. Typical is this contribution from H. Saunders of "4b, Auckland Grammar School". The little cairn writes:

"Wesley College is credited with having a large reputation around its 1st XV and having a large amount of All Blacks. Auckalnd Grammar has a superior 1st XV, proved by our ranking of first place in the Auckland Secondary Schools rugby competition."

Well dear readers you'll be pleased that our Michelle Johansson, HOD of English at Wesley, chimed in with a far more eloquent effort:

"Dear Editor,

I am delighted you acknowledged in Making the Grade (August) the achievements of Billy Revell and Lauie Sila, the two Wesley College students selected as part of of the New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company that performed at London's Globe Theatre earlier this year. I must confess to having a certain bias - I was Billy and Lauie's teacher - but I reckon anyone who loves the Bard would appreciate their talents.

While Wesley's rugby prowess is well-known - we'll always be known as "Jonah's school" - I think, sometimes, our success in other areas is overlooked. Our Tongan Group, for instance, recently won the Kailao and Me'etu'upaki sections at the ASB Polyfest and our students play a major role within the greater Methodist community. Of course, academic performance is (quite rightly) the major measure of a school's success and here we have worked very hard to lift our game. I am glad Metro has recognised our efforts and honoured that you see us as one of Auckland's Top 25 schools.

Our students mightn't have a lot of money, but what they do have is heart, talent and no shortage of commitment. Sure we'll never have the resources nor numbers to compete with the Auckland Grammars of this world - we have 350 students compared to their 2,500 for a start. But we'll continue to do what we do best - give kids from a range of backgrounds the opportunity to be the very best they can be. And that, surely, is the true measure of a school's worth."

Stirring stuff!

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Your Worst (and Best) Wesley Meal

Given the grim news of the previous post, some light relief (and relief from wall-to-wall rugby) seems a good idea. So what is your worst-ever W.T.C meal experience? (and so we don't upset the cooks, we should also ask for your all-time best meal).

Who remembers the weevils-in-the-porridge debacle in '86? Back then we used to go in to the dining room house by house. The last house in had just sat down with their porridge (with the first two houses already finished and the third house in - Simmonds - halfway through theirs) when someone noticed there was an unusual texture to the slop. Indeed, it was weevil-infested! My squad of eight pulled out over 200 of these little maggoty-things from our bowls. But those poor buggers from the first two houses, and the girls of course, had some extra protein to start the day.

The best meal I recall came a few months later when Denton Hall opened. The Governor General was in attendance and so no expense was spared on the celebratory feast. Obviously the school wanted the GG Sir Paul Reeves to think all those stories about boarding school meals were a crock and so out came the pies - an unlimited quantity of pies. I helped myself to eight meat ones and about as many custard pies, all washed down with cartons of Just Juice. And I was by no means the most gluttonous.

So what are your best and worst Wesley culinary experiences?

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Shit Happens

As some of you may have heard, W.T.C. went down 13-5 to Hamilton Boys on Tuesday. This leaves Wesley's chances of making the Top 4 hanging on a thread: we need Rotorua to beat Hamilton on Saturday and then we'd need to beat Rotorua handsomely to go through. This isn't impossible: Rotorua are the only side to have beaten Hamilton all year and Wesley drew with Rotorua earlier in the the season. However, our fate is no longer in our hands. The unfortunate thing about all this, as you'll see in Chris Bean's characteristically excellent match report, is that we were leading with just a few minutes left to play.

Wesley 1st XV v Hamilton BHS 1st XV
Date: 22/8/06
Venue: HBHS - Chiefs Championship Round 1

The 1st XV began the defence of its Chiefs' title against the Waikato Champions Hamilton BHS. Hamilton entered this match as hot favourites after securing the Super 8 title. Hamilton played the first half with a strong wind at their back. They used it to their advantage as they pinned the 1st XV to our end of the field. The 1st XV defended strongly and Hamilton’s only success was a penalty. The first half ends with the 1st XV behind 3-0.

The 1st XV begins the second half strongly. From a scrum 10 metres in our half, John Sikuea breaks away and dashes blind, draws in the Hamilton winger, and then off-loads to Frank Halai who sprints down the sideline 45 metres, avoiding the covering fullback to scores in the corner. Wesley lead 5-3. Hamilton still dominates possession and with the little ball that Wesley does receive they fail to get it out of their own half. In the last 10 minutes the Hamilton forwards make inroads with one-off runners and on twice they crash over for tries which takes them out to a 13-5 lead which they hold until the final whistle.

Player of the Day: Ului Kabanaivalu

Report: C.W.Bean

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A Lesson in Humility

If you'd read the post below, you probably would've expected us to romp home by 50 points. But in the end, the 1st XV battled out a 12-12 draw with Manurewa and only go through as the Counties-Manukau rep on account of scoring the match's only try. So we were very lucky. Next, Wesley play the other representatives from the Chiefs' franchise, most likely Hamilton Boys and Rotorua Boys, to see who goes through to the Top Four. Time to amp it up boys!

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Wesley vs Rewa - Wednesday

The 1st XV take on Manurewa THIS WEDNESDAY afternoon at Pukekohe Stadium to determine who will be the Counties-Manukau reps in the Chiefs' play-offs. A quick word of explanation. The top Counties-Manukau side have to beat the top Waikato side (most likely Hamilton Boys) and then the top Bay of Plenty side (probably Rotorua Boys) if they want to be the Chiefs' rep in the Top Four (the other three teams include a side from the Blues region, the Hurricanes region and the Crusaders/Highlanders region).

So this is a very important game. There's also some ill-feeling here: Wesley want to avenge Rewa's comprehensive defeat of the 2nd XV last Saturday (the Seconds had drawn with Rewa and also lost narrowly earlier in the season). And Rewa are rumoured to be the main whingers and backstabbers re: the overseas player eligibility issue.

So get down to Puke Stadium No.2 this Wednesday at 2.30pm and watch Wesley whup some sorry Rewa ass.

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Mentoring Update

So far we've got two lawyers, two journalists and a pencil-caseful of teachers lined of up for helping out young Wesleyans. Steve Tema is also keen to give aspiring Ministers a few tips. But we're after old students from all professions and trades (as per the mentoring post earlier) who'd be happy to share their knowledge and expertise with the next generation. We're looking at having a Careers Day/Evening towards the end of this year for year 12 and 13 Wesleyans (form 5 and 6). We'd have another Careers Day/Evening at the start of 2007 for the incoming year 12 and 13s (and then twice a year thereafter).

So if you'd like to help out, please email commander@clear.net.nz. Don't be shy - all returning "role models" are assured a rapturous reception and there's also the incentive of a top-of-the-range College meal for all who help.

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What is the Greatest W.T.C. First XV of Them All?

Chris Bean's Ultimate W.T.C XV (see below) has created quite a stir amongst the faithful. "Bring back JP Eason!" raged one "anonymous" Wesleyan (quite possibly JP himself!). And "Blackie" made the very reasonable point that the "Bean Team" was chockful of (admittedly very good) modern players but ignored some older heroes. So Blackie named No.8 Bruce Ahlers as his captain and included two older old boys - Willie Royal and the Cliff Watene - in his front row. This led to another anonymous contributor arguing that his team of '85 would have beaten all-comers. Which begs an obvious question: what is the strongest Wesley First XV of all-time?

Chris Bean's Ultimate W.T.C XV (see below) has created quite a stir amongst the faithful. "Bring back JP Eason!" raged one "anonymous" Wesleyan (quite possibly JP himself!). And "Blackie" made the very reasonable point that the "Bean Team" was chockful of (admittedly very good) modern players but ignored some older heroes. So Blackie named No.8 Bruce Ahlers as his captain and included two older old boys - Willie Royal and the Cliff Watene - in his front row. This led to another anonymous contributor arguing that his team of '85 would have beaten all-comers. Which begs an obvious question: what is the strongest Wesley First XV of all-time?

The Moascar Cup sides of the early 80s (when, exactly, did we win the Moascar Cup?)

Or one of our five New Zealand champion sides... the Grinter-coached outfit of 1990? The two sides Amanaki Palavi coached... the Jonah Lomu-inspired team '93? and '97 team (with George Stowers and Hale T-Pole part of perhaps the strongest Wesley forward pack of all-time?)

Or the famous Nick Ledger-coached 2001 side that now mostly plays under the pseudonym of "Waikato"?

Or the explosive 2004 team coached by the Chris Bean/Saua Leaupepe/Waisake Sotutu triumverate?

Or perhaps it was none of these sides. Another anonymous contributor suggested the boys of '85 were the best team of all and, certainly, it's a strong team on paper. Remember these names?:

1. Tonga Aleamotua
2 Aaron Clarke
3. Alan Tauranga
4. Steve Autagavaia
5. Mark Royal
6. Kaneti Kirifi
7. Ian Honeycombe
8. Niki Tuwhangai
9. Darren Corfield
10. Grant TeWhare
11. Naseri Setu
12. Tukua Tonga
13. Winston Tanielu
14. Cassino Doyle
15. Russell Hana

While I'm sure Cassino Doyle, Niki Tuwhangai and Alan Tauranga played First XV years later than '85, this is certainly a formidable team and would run a Wesleyan side from any era close.

So what's the best team of all? Only rule here is that you decide on the basis of how good players were when they were at Wesley, not on how good they would later become. We want to know which Wesley XV, when it was at the absolute peak of its powers, was the best.

Oh, one more rule. No cheap shots at teams other than your own!

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Jesus Christ Superstar - Sept 16

The College production of Jesus Christ Superstar on September 16 is one of the features of Old Students' weekend '06. If you'd like to reserve a seat - and they're going fast - contact the school or else email us at commander@clear.net.nz. Read on for some info on the show from the director MJ.

"Hey Wesleyans,

Just a plug for the show Jesus Christ Superstar... if you come, you'll be delighted to hear the melodious sounds of Poloma "Ladies Man 4 Life" Iosefa as Jesus together with John Salanoa, Jonathan "Tana" Aiono/Simas "The Goat Guy" Tekulu as Judas, and of course our very own diva, Catalina "the voice" Kamira/our exchange student Stephanie "Tenessee" Ferraro as Mary... this means I expect to see YOU Arnoldina and Nancy supporting your little sister, and everyone else as well!

The show on the 16th is technically our Dress Rehearsal/Tech Run, so we are only asking for a gold coin koha. Please come, you'll be vocally delighted, musically astounded and impressed as hell to see how far the performning arts have come at the College that you know and love..."

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The Ultimate W.T.C. 1st XV

He used to collect stamps. He was a feared Dungeons and Dragons master. He won the All-Paerata Knucklebones championships six years running (and was placed second three more times). But now old boy Chris Bean (1983-88), acting Deputy Principal at Wesley, has a new hobby. While normal people mow lawns, go to the beach, read the papers... Chris's evenings, weekends, his every spare waking moment is spent selecting then re-selecting a WESLEY COLLEGE DREAM TEAM.Here, for the first time, is Chris's ultimate Wesley 1st XV (bracketed are the teams each player has subsequently been associated with; the year listed is their last year at Wesley):

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1 - Sekope Kepu (Counties) – 2004
2 - Mark Price (Counties) – 1998
3 - Edwin Talakai (Tonga) – 1989
4 - George Stowers (Counties & Samoa) – 1997
5 - Koula Tukino (Counties) - 1995
6 - Hale T-Pole (Otago & Southland) – 1997
7 - Danny Kaleopa (Auckland & Samoa) – 1985
8 - Jonah Lomu (Counties, Wellington & All Blacks) – 1993
9 - Rhys Duggan (Waikato & All Blacks) – 1990
10 - Doug Rollerson (Manawatu & All Blacks) – 1971
11 - Sitiveni Sivivatu (Counties, Waikato & All Blacks) – 2001
12 - Seilala Mapusua (Otago & Samoa) – 1998
13 - Casey Laulala (Canterbury & All Blacks) – 2001
14 - Waisake Sotutu (Auckland & Fiji) – 1889
15 - Sale Sorovaki (Manawatu, Wellington & Fiji) – 1987

Reserves

16 - Niva Tau’oso (Counties& Jnr All Blacks) – 1998
17 - Stephen Donald (Waikato& Jnr All Blacks) – 2001
18 - Sailosi Tagicakibau (Taranaki & Samoa) – 2001
19 - Tame Tupou (Brisbane Broncos& Kiwis – 2001
20 - Mike Spence (Manawatu) – 2001
21 - Tomasi Soqeta (Taranaki) – 2001
22 - Waka Setitaia (Counties) – 2000

Coaches

H.Tauroa – 1973
A.C.Grinter – 1991

Manager

M. Tod – Current

Others considered: Shaun Clotworthy (Otago) – 1986, Salesi Moimoi (Tonga)– 1996, Tekori Luteru (Samoa) – 2001, Te Hurinui Muru (Waikato) – 1983, Tevita Mailau (Auckland) – 2000, Sam Nonoa (Waikato) – 1990

**

So what do you think of this team? Is Chris, the current Wesley First XV coach, out to lunch? Would you really play Jonah at No.8 ahead of Tomasi Soqeta who, remember, had a monster game against the Lions last year? If not, where would you play the big man? Could you push Sitiveni on to the right wing, put Jonah in on the left and move Waisake to fullback? And what of the coaches? Shouldn’t Amanaki Palavi, winner of two New Zealand First XV titles and three New Zealand Sevens title, be wearing the coach’s trackie? Share your thoughts here.

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Old Students' Weekend - Sept 16-17

Traditionally held in early October, Old Students’ Weekend is being brought back to the mid-September (Sept 16-17). This gives old students the opportunity to attend the College’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which opens on Saturday, September 16. For details of the weekend, please read the post titled Old Students' Weekend - Final Programme (above).

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Wesley College Old Boys Rugby Club

What’s behind this Wesley College Old Boys Rugby Club idea? We all know there’s something special about Wesley. Ask Seilala Mapusua for his favourite ground and he’ll tell you Wesley College Field No. 1. Ask Jonah for his second favourite team (after the ABs) and he’ll say it’s the Wesley 1st XV. For many Wesleyans, they’ll never again find the same spirit and camaraderie that they had at school. The club is one way of keeping the Wesley family together.

Sounds good. But would a Wesley team be competitive? Look at the team listed below – all bar four of those named are currently playing. While we mightn’t get those players back, there are 15 Wesleyans in the Air NZ Cup (the new NPC Premier Division) and at least 20 Wesleyans playing senior club rugby in the Counties-Manukau competition. The College’s 1st XV won the Counties-Manukau U21 championship earlier this year and then entered the Counties Power Cup where they came up against senior club teams in the area. While these senior teams were not always at full strength – they were without their NPC players – Wesley’s 1st XV won this competition, beating Drury Seniors, Bombay Seniors, Ardmore-Marist Seniors (and losing to a Wesley old-boy stacked Manurewa by a point).

Where would we get our players? There are several Wesleyans playing senior rugby who’ve said they want to play for an old boys club. And ask the boys from the Wesley 1st XV who they’d want to play for once they leave school, and they all say Wesley.

Where would we play? We are hoping to play on Field No. 1 at the College. Apart from the fact it’s a great rugby ground, this would also strengthen the bonds between students past and present. Our clubrooms couldn’t be on the school grounds – it would be inappropriate to have licensed premises there – but there are some possibilities we’re looking into nearby.

Would the Counties-Manukau union be keen? While some of the other clubs in the area mightn’t be pleased to miss out on the Wesley conveyor belt of talent, the Counties-Manukau union are certainly interested in the idea. Now they’re in the new NPC Premier Division, they want as many good players as possible to stay within the area. And Counties-Manukau’s new status gives players a good reason to stay here. You can now play rugby in the province and get to the top.

I’m not nearly as quick as I used to be. And my, um, ab is quite large. What can I do? We’d like to field a senior reserve side. And, in time, an U21 side and a social side. Perhaps a woman’s team too. But we also need supporters. Volunteers. Coaches. Sponsors.

Is that all? Funnily enough, to form a club we don’t actually need a team! But we do need 25 members. We also need a constitution. We must have an annual general meeting (AGM). And we must have our accounts audited.

Anything else? Not really. Um, “Once a Wesleyan, always a Wesleyan!”

So what do you think? Keen to join? Support? Play? Share your thoughts/ideas/suggestions here or else email commander@clear.net.nz .

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Te Paea Hall's 21st Birthday

This year is Te Paea Hall’s 21st birthday. That’s right: New Zealand’s finest women have been coming to Wesley since that wayward first intake in 1985. To honour the occasion, someone suggested presenting Te Paea with a nice, large formica key. But someone else suggested a celebratory brunch, with some scrumptious Wesley kai, at the College. So we’re doing just that. Saturday, September 16. 10.00am in the Rec Lounge. Keen to come? Leave your name and details here or, if you prefer, email commander@clear.net.nz.

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Mentoring

The posh schools - the Grammars, the Kings, the Dios etc - all have an extensive old students' network that looks after their own. We'd like to do the same at Wesley. We have old students working as doctors, builders, lawyers, plumbers, teachers, journalists, truckies, nurses, hairdressers, firemen, scientists, business tycoons, artists, environmental consultants, even Academy Award winners (Lord of the Rings SFX man Richard Taylor).

There are students at Wesley who want to do all of this and more. So if you would like to help out a current student – perhaps advice and encouragement via email, some work experience during the school holidays, or a “guest lecture” at school – then let us know (either leave a post here or else email commander@clear.net.nz and leave your details).

In time we’d like to think there’ll be a network of Wesleyans looking out for each other.

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