Currently Playing/Retired

Not sure if any interest lads

Just thought I would create a topic as the RL season fast approaches...

Anyone still playing Rugby/Rugby League/Football? Season already started? or gearing up for their new season? Any oldies retired but still following their local team or if you just want to talk about the golden days, or anyone coaching even?

Any wonder tries scored or more importantly any 99's?

Club, Position, League etc...

Have not played for 15 years after having 2 shoulder recons in 2 years and being advised to quit as it may affect long term use of my arm if I injure it again. I was a fullback.
I am a primary school teacher and coach our school rugby league teams every year, some years I am a coaching genius others I am a muppet, but mostly in the eyes the parents the bald headed raiders fan who loves his footy..... Just don't ask me to play your son/daughter (yes some girls play) in a certain position unless you offer to run water, help with touch judging, wash jerseys or work the canteen, even then the answer is still 'no'.

Sashamaloo wrote:Have not played for 15 years after having 2 shoulder recons in 2 years and being advised to quit as it may affect long term use of my arm if I injure it again. I was a fullback.
I am a primary school teacher and coach our school rugby league teams every year, some years I am a coaching genius others I am a muppet, but mostly in the eyes the parents the bald headed raiders fan who loves his footy..... Just don't ask me to play your son/daughter (yes some girls play) in a certain position unless you offer to run water, help with touch judging, wash jerseys or work the canteen, even then the answer is still 'no'.

Did you play FB League or Union mate?

what age are the kids? In my second year coaching Pontyclununder 6's so 4-6 year olds, start playing proper matches next year! started because my boy is playing and i love it more than playing (at the moment)

Also back playing and training properly this year for first time in 4/5 years, been back and for for the odd game over the years but actually had the drive back this year for some reason, knees holding up and all is good!

Not much league around here, all union mad! Playing 6 for Pontyclun RFC Currently bottom of our league but we are much better than our league position...Just had a load of our local boys back from the welsh premiership so not long before we end up back in mid table and pushing for promotion again next year

I've never played league or union.

Soccer and oztag for me. Currently in an enforced absence due to my ruptured Achilles so nothing for me for a while.

Shame as I was quite looking forward to soccer this year. Last year we had a great year, and was looking forward to a solid season. Hopefully I can make an appearance before the end of the season.

My daughter starts school this year, so might look at getting involved in coaching too if I can convince her to take up a sport.

I played prop and wing I got spear tackled and injured my back. While I was in hospital I actually discovered sportal and fantasy nrl so may not be so bad after all haha

Played league from 12-18, played union from about 18 to 22 - had a year off after a knee reconstruction, and never really got into it as seriously as I did when I was younger.

Played league or union on and off till I was about 25 - mainly for the social aspects. Went overseas and played union in america for a year or so mostly for the social aspect again - didnt play for 2 years, then made a comeback at 29. Had ongoing injury issues with my lower legs.

Just hit 31 and moved city so ill go to a local rugby club to play meet some people and play a bit for a year or 2, will see how the body holds up. Started off as a fullback, moved into the halves as I turned about 18, played a little bit of centre. Ended up playing 9 or 10 in union mostly.

When I came back at 29, I realised that I was a lot smarter as a player but a hell of a lot slower, not as fit and not as dedicated. Bit more hesitant to put my body on the line too.

Injuries:
Torn ligaments in my ankles prob 3x in each.
Multiple Hammie tears and strains.
Dislocated shoulder a few times.
Knee Reconstruction.
Broken Hand.
Torn calf muscles.
Knocked out a few times, few concussions.

The memories and people I have met playing far outweigh the heartache and pain from the injuries.

Sport is easily the best way to meet people in a new place IMO.

Generally played on the wing, same as soccer because of my blistering pace and speed off the mark.

Played for about 15 odd years played hooker then 2nd row. Made Balmain's 2nds under 21s, trained the Harold Mathews side back in the early 90's, coached kids for about 10 years. Moved away from the area, so now I just catch a few club games each year, go back for old boys day and presentation day to award the trophy named in my fathers honour for his work over 2 decades with both club and Balmain junior league.

Still play Union. Over 35's. Leading try scorer. I wasn't that fast when i was younger but don't think I've lost any pace. 

We have a Waitangi day festival next weekend. Probablyplay 3 short games. Forecast for 35 degrees. Hot and sweaty!

Played league in my teens and early 20's. Mostly hooker or second row. At 90 kilos too small for fowards in union though.

As a couple of other posters have alluded to, I as well was made of glass 

Ankles were an issue originally, then dislocated my left shoulder a few times, and eventually had a recon.  Felt the right one begin to dislocate (but popped straight back in) one game not long after I returned and decided that was enough for me.  

Last game I was 17.  Started as a winger, then played a couple at centre, then filled in at fullback 1 game and decided that was my position.  Loved being able to return the ball and float in defence.  Went straight to playing soccer for a couple of years when I gave League away.  Played at centre back/sweeper.  Thoroughly enjoyed running on the field and not being worried about injuring myself.

Built like a prop nowadays by the way.  And the ankle ligaments finally gave way 5 years ago when I was playing touch and I broke my right one.  Like MF, that's how I discovered Sportal-feet up with a lot more time to dedicate to Fantasy/DT and stumbled on the site 

Nice to see the odd few still playing or coaching!

Best thing I ever decided to do was start with my boy last year, doubt i could handle it all if he wasn't playing but it keeps me sane when the parents are already moaning and we haven't even played a competitive match

Any tips from the coaches, we will likely have 3 teams running end of this year when they go to under 7's, already got a headache of going down the best team route and splitting the other 2 or just rotating each week, need to find a balance between keeping the kids interested don't want them getting hammered every week and losing all the time

Pet hate parents trying to achieve glory through their kids. I've been involved in junior league for over 20 years so batten down the hatches and prepare for a rant.

Let's make a best team so the parents feel like they have won. It's not about the kids it's about me being shit at the game and achieving nothing so I can feel redemption.
6 year old kids don't give a fuck. They are just learning the game and that should be the focus.
How to demoralise a kid and turn them away from the game. Tell them they aren't good enough from day 1. Sorry Johnny you aren't good enough to play in the best team. Let them learn the skills of the game and be kids and enjoy it. Kids don't even care if they lose as long as they get an orange at half time. Here in Australia kids that young must play a minimum of 2 out of 3 thirds so every kid gets an equal go, because that's what it's about. Kids learning skills, running around on a Saturday morning and enjoying themselves.

That's not a tip it's fucking coaching 1:01 when kids are that young. You are suppose to be teaching them the basic skills of the game. That's it. You want to kill the game for the kids, pick a best team and make yourself feel good. Then next year wonder why all the kids are playing football and the game isn't growing.

END FUCKING RANT

One of your best posts ever Your Name. Good stuff.

Your Name wrote:Pet hate parents trying to achieve glory through their kids. I've been involved in junior league for over 20 years so batten down the hatches and prepare for a rant.

Let's make a best team so the parents feel like they have won. It's not about the kids it's about me being shit at the game and achieving nothing so I can feel redemption.
6 year old kids don't give a fuck. They are just learning the game and that should be the focus.
How to demoralise a kid and turn them away from the game. Tell them they aren't good enough from day 1. Sorry Johnny you aren't good enough to play in the best team. Let them learn the skills of the game and be kids and enjoy it. Kids don't even care if they lose as long as they get an orange at half time. Here in Australia kids that young must play a minimum of 2 out of 3 thirds so every kid gets an equal go, because that's what it's about. Kids learning skills, running around on a Saturday morning and enjoying themselves.

That's not a tip it's fucking coaching 1:01 when kids are that young. You are suppose to be teaching them the basic skills of the game. That's it. You want to kill the game for the kids, pick a best team and make yourself feel good. Then next year wonder why all the kids are playing football and the game isn't growing.

END FUCKING RANT

I hope that wasn't directed at me and was a general consensus,it seemed very personal and if it was you have now idea of how the kids we teach are being coached

I asked for advice from coaches and moreso in how to deal with parents who expect their child to be in this team and that team as, as previously stated we don't start playing competitive games until september but already having parents moaning, I do agree with your view on it being about the kids and the main focus on them enjoying it

In our area there are 4 local junior teams within 2 miles of each other, normally there is an even split between the teams but this year we have over 35 kids training some of the other local teams are barely getting 10, I don't know why but everone has seemed to have brought their kid to us this year, this has lead to the parents already questioning their kids involvement in the competitive matches for next season i can barely say ahhh well you should of taken them to the other club up the road, hence the question

Welshy87 wrote:

I hope that wasn't directed at me and was a general consensus,it seemed very personal and if it was you have now idea of how the kids we teach are being coached

I asked for advice from coaches and moreso in how to deal with parents who expect their child to be in this team and that team as, as previously stated we don't start playing competitive games until september but already having parents moaning, I do agree with your view on it being about the kids and the main focus on them enjoying it

In our area there are 4 local junior teams within 2 miles of each other, normally there is an even split between the teams but this year we have over 35 kids training some of the other local teams are barely getting 10, I don't know why but everone has seemed to have brought their kid to us this year, this has lead to the parents already questioning their kids involvement in the competitive matches for next season i can barely say ahhh well you should of taken them to the other club up the road, hence the question

Nothing personal mate - just a pet hate. Have no idea what you are doing with the kids. Just something I have seen time and time again. As for the parents, tell them exactly what I said.

Oh and tell them to fuck off and play for another club because your club is about promoting the game and teaching the kids.

Just the way i read it mate, I 100% agree but to be fair our club is turning to absolute shit these days in fairness and I am only doing it because my boy is playing and because we got asked to stay on by a few of the parents who have been there from the start


My brother is one of the other coaches and does it for the same reason! I have played for the club since I was 5 same as my brother, both play for the senior side but the it is being run into the ground, no offence meant here but there are junior section mothers on the club commitee with ZERO knowledge of rugby or rugby culture just basically PTA wannabes and its ruining our club, more interested to letting the club out to events and the focus on rugby is dwindling as stupid as that fucking sounds in a rugby club, if the sides are not successfull they are not interested it is a fucking joke more so with the seniors but that mindset is starting to drip down to the juniors

Tough sell saying our club is promoting the game when they are not interested unless they are successfull