World Rugby Festival 2010 - Sydney, Australia

[brokendown gunfighter]

I'm still in. Can rope in another 5 or 6 like minded people in 40 -50 age group plus partners if needed....

Plus Gary Mickle...

Mickle is too recently retired

[KenyaQuin]

Hyper-extended the knee at touch rugby last night..bloody D-mixed grade (doctor yet to be advised). However, it is anticipated that, with atleast one full year for the knee to mend itself, I will still available to play (as I've stated a million times before).

[Woody]

Dear All,
Have just returned from two months in Europe, fanastic. Come home to shyte weather, son's puppy, daughter preggers, same lo' same ol' at work. Anyways, I stumbled across this thread.
I have a bit of experience in this area, founding president of our local GO team. Celebrated 10 years last year. We went to the GOs Worlds in Brissy 2003. Everybody still rates it as the holiday they ever had (pre Europe!).
My advice would be to aim for the over 40s and bullshit your ages (higher) on the application package as they tend to try and grade games as best they can. We were fairly young (averaged 40) and the footy was pretty hard.
Anybody outside of Sydney has to take the 'package', so you don't need to orgainise accom, bus transfers etc. There are usually two nights with meals provided. The only complaint I had with Brissy was that XXXX Gold was the sponsor! However we snuck a few Toohey's New in.
Ideally you want to have reasonable footballers (played in last 5 years) in a number of positions. 2 or 3 good forwards, a couple of good passers (with some vision) in close and maybe a whippet or two that can catch (most of the time) and run.
It is very much a take your partner affair.
If you start now with the idea that you will definetly have a team you will be fine. There always teams that arrive with 9 or 10, and there are always guys wanting more footy. We had 22 and a few of us played for a French team, an American team and filled in for a couple of kiwi teams.
Met some great people, had a shit load of fun and our crew will be at Sydney in 2010 even if only 5 or 6 go.
There is a guy who turns up to every festival with a bag of jersies and a full wallet, forms a team for each game and buys the beers, genuine legend.
I think the stuff on Page 1 of this thread is spot on. Cast your net far and wide, touch players and soccer players usually turn out pretty good as they tend to be good on their feet, and that is the intention with GOs.
Every team will have a wanker or two that still holds a grudge for not being selected for the ABs (or Wallibies) but generally they get told to pull their head in.
You'll want a playing strip and 3 or 4 polo shirts and maybe a No1 shirt. Make sure your girls get a shirt as well.
All the best guys, I will follow with interest and will be able to supply 3 or 4 players if you need help.
What about the "Wasted Force"?, Western Farce? Rotnest Force?

[Burgs]

Thanks for the great insight Woody

Come on now folks, doesn't that fire you up?!?!

[jargan83]

Western Farce?

You would be stealing my Indoor Cricket teams name with that one

[Burgs]

As touched on here: Western Force to head to Singapore for World Club Challenge Cup - Western Force Rugby Supporters Site this may provide a good incentive to get the Goldies structure in place as a dummy run for Sydney the following year.
I'm sure we could organise a friendly match or two against some expats up there.
From those who are eligible or may be able to source extras, any interest?
Could be a fantastic way to strengthen bonds with RWA too.

[frontrow]

I would love to be involved, although i cannot commit as yet, but i reckon i will be able to in the future...Will be a bloody awesome experience...

[Burgs]

Good on you FR, should be no shortage Prop/Wingers by the sound of it

[GIGS20]

You did read my post about the first game of touch in a couple of years didn't you Burgs.......we're OK for a winger who runs like a prop!....not an AJ-type prop either

[JediKnight]

What are the age conditions?
Posted via Mobile Device

[GIGS20]

BE OLD...OR FEEL OLD

[Burgs]

You'll be fine JK
35+ & 40+

[Burgs]

Especially for WRF's aging bones....bump!

[Em-Forcer]

What are the age conditions?
Posted via Mobile Device

You'll be fine JK
35+ & 40+

OK so that's age sorted, what about condition, though?!

[Burgs]

If Jedi is out for fitness then the "team" is rooted before it began!

The idea with having a (an ever diminishing) long lead up period was to give potential participants a goal to exercise a bit towards.

I won't be down but perhaps this needs a bit of BBQ talk tonight to see if we are going to progress it or not?