Xmas Drinks are on Thursday 13th December at the harlequin Inn from 6:00pm. All are invited. Bring your mates and get anyone interested in playing in 2008 down there.

Last night the OIRFC AGM was convened. The attendance to the AGM was the best we have seen in 10 years and is a testament to the passion the club has in "Code Red" and making 2008 a fun and successful year.

We are pleased to announce the election of the 2008 committee: President                        Dave Bryant
Secretary                       Domenic Lombardo
Recruitment Manager        Terry O'Brien
Media Manager                Peter Grattan
Social Manager                Alex Brennan
Football Manager              Todd Smart
Catering Manager             Rebecca Grattan
Merchandise Manager        Matthew Wright
Sponsorship Manager         Nick Butler
Treasurer                        Xavier Craven
Supporters' Club Manager   Gerard Hogan
General Committee Members John Price, Michael Stalley, Grayden Kenney, Nick Garside & Angelo Maiorana

The General Committee is open for appointments throughout the year and we welcome your nominations. We are particularly keen to get further representation from our colts, supporters and women to the committee.

The AGM also recognised the previous appointments for the 2008 season of:
Club Captain                   Alex Brennan
Club Vice-Captain             Pat Sheehan

It is also with great anticipation, that we announce the OIRFC coaching staff for 2008:
1st Grade:  Al Metcalfe & Kolose Feaunati; Mark Sheridan(Manager)
2nd Grade: Tim Perringnon; Baz Richards (Manager)
3rd Grade:  Gus Halligan & Steve Naughton
4th Grade:  Greg Easy, Steve Arcus & Robert Ward (Manager)
5th Grade:  Rob Keogh & David Bryant
Colts:        Jack Hayes & Michael Palmer; Nick Garside(Manager)
Club Skills & Fitness Coach: Sean Cogan

There is availability for manager roles in 3rd & 5th Grade. If anyone is interested, please reply to this email or contact any of the coaches or committee.

For those interested, especially in a good read of the team reports (Granville broke the record for the longest coaches report every at 4 pages), The Annual Report is for download.

The committee also recognises the importance of recruitment in 2008. It is up to the players to "talk up" the red men in 2008 and bring you mates along to what is shaping to be a great year. It's very important we get good numbers to the first Pre season training session on January 23. This will set the tone for the season.

The OIRFC AGM will be held at the NSW Rugby Club from 6:30pm on Thurs 6th December. All welcome including those interested to serve on the 2008 committee.

The Code Red long lunch came and went with a bang.  170 supporters got together to share some laughs, hear some stories, congratulate Pep on becoming a life member and raise some much needed coin for the Code Red Strategy.

We heard of Pep's "Cope a load of this whitey" story, enjoyed the fine fair and atmosphere of IMAX's Star Room, drank red beer and fine Krinklewood wines, welcomed 2008 major sponsors Clarkson McLaren Corporate Communications and watched Granville's Pyrmont Bridge escapade.

This was followed up with a healthy session at the Harlequin Hotel to break in the new bar and welcome new players and chat with old friends.

Congratulations and thanks to Dommy Lombardo for all his efforts in putting together the long lunch.

Check out all the photos here.

I am pleased to announce that Al Metcalfe has been appointed OIRFC first grade coach for 2008. Al has been coaching Eastwood 1sts Colts the last few years, during Al's tenure the Woods rivaled Sydney Uni as the dominant Colt's Club. They contested the Grand Final this year against Uni.

Al is a former player for Old Iggies and played in the 1st Grade Team that won premierships in 1987 & 88. He also played 1st Grade for Eastwood. Al is excited about taking on the job and is looking forward to the challenge. We extend Al a warm welcome back to the Red Men.

Joining Al is Kolose

The Rugby World Cup tipping comp is on again.  Hoges has got it all set up on OzTips.  Entry fee is $20 and a big prize is looming for Grats to win.

Click here to see the details of how to enter.

Two big heartfelt congratulations.

First to ex-President Paul "Tally-Ho" Timmins who notch up 300 games against Knox on Saturday.  He lead the Judd Cup side out on to Ryde International in his 300th game like it was only his 30th (I think I actually saw his knees bend!). Timmo, who was only hoping for a half a game, played the full game and almost picked up a try after being in support after another backline raid.  He was brought down just metes short.

Second, a big happy 50th birthday to current President Dave "Oracle" Bryant.  Dave celebrated by a full game in 5s and a 10 minute cameo in 4s.  Age shall not weary him!

66 Points with a round to go.  We only needed 62 - The buffer is home.  We avoid relegation, stay in first division and now get to re-build the club to where it belongs.  Bring on "Code Red".

He did arrive with the whole bridal party.  They came, they sculled, they went.

Click here for the photo gallery of all the fun at the Harlequin.

Check out why all Redmen should go to the Pyrmont Hotel this Saturday. 

Love your work Shogo!

Angus James McGrath has landed. Born 10.25am Monday 30th. 8.2lb 52 cm. Mums a legend, dad is proud, bub hungry. You little ripper.
 

Calling All volunteers willing to help out with the Rugby BBQ at Riverview from 8am (goodness!) on Saturday the 21st of July.

Anyone wishing to help out in the name of the club please email Dave dbryant@tpg.com.au

With just 6 games remaining, and the real threat of relegation looming, we need to do everything we can as a club to achieve the most club championship points each week.

The target is to have a 62 point buffer before going into the last round, round 18 against St. Pats. This assures us of staying in the top division, and a chance to rebuild for next year. (Due to St. Pat's not having a colts we are guaranteed 8 points in the final round)

This week we have lost ground to BOBS after they gained 40 points to our 20 this week. Our buffer is only 32 points, the equivalent to just over one first grade game.

This Wednesday 18th July after training there will be a sausage sizzle and Crownies for a call to arms to extend the buffer.  Big games v Mosman this week and a huge weekend the following weekend at home vs UNSW where we will be hunting CC points for the buffer.

Young Andrew Logan was under strict instructions from his betrothed to clean out his wardrobe that had become a graveyard for Rugby jerseys.  Despite much arguing to the contrary, forced with the likelihood of a "special cuddle" embargo, Loges found himself placing many loved items up for sale on eBay.  This included the Old Ignatians number 29 that Loges had somehow procured. 

After posting the jersey for online auction for just a number of hours, Loges was bombarded with on-line questions from eBay bargain hunters "JayBee" and "MickF".  Subtle probes included "When did you play for OIRFC?", "How did you come by such a jersey?","Who the hell are you?".

 Shortly thereafter Loges received the following letter.

Needless to say, such a threat lead poor Loges to remove the item immediately from sale and retreat contritely - tail between his legs.

At the Recent president's Lunch, Loges (who MC'd the affair), recounted the story and the above letter and presented the jersey with many apologies to El Presidente.  But wait there's more.

Post Lunch, on the long walk from Parliament House to Bar 333, The President struggled with the burden of carrying the number 29 jersey and decided to be the good samaritan.  He found the nearest homeless gentlemen and presented the No. 29 as a means to keep warm during the remainder of the winter.

It doesn't end there.  Following minutes behind, with the story of dubious jersey flogging still ringing in his ears, a spritely John Kouvelis was astounded to see a number 29 Old Ignatian's jersey worn by a gentleman of questionable repute on the very next street corner.

It took all of John's conviction and strong character, not to roll the bloke but instead, buy the said jersey back for the club.  John arrived at Bar 333 shortly after proclaiming, "Look at what I had to tear off some blokes back on the way down here!"

There was much rejoicing!   Followed by many shouts of beer, rum and other alcoholic subtances for the prodigal No. 29 jersey had returned.  It goes to show that a OIRFC jersey is the ultimate symbol of club pride that cannot be sold, leased, loaned, traded, auctioned, rented, hired, let, chartered, swapped, exchanged, bartered or even given away.  Here endeth the lesson.

Gala Day will be on Saturday August 25th.  Round 17 vs Knox Old
Boys.

Get down to Ryde Oval for a day of fine food, Crownies, sparking
shiraz and watch the Red Men flog the Leaf Rakers.  Well done Hoges.

The Bus trip to campbelltown is a must.  A great way to get down to the South West edge of Sydney and an even better way to get out of there.  NOTE CHANGES IN PICK UP TIMES TO GET UP THERE FOR COLTS!

The bus will pick up at a Central Station (under the clock tower at the country train terminal facing George St/Broadway) at 8:30am and Ryde at 9:00am.  The return trip gets us back to Pyrmont and the Harlequin Inn to watch the Bledisloe Cup and take in a well needed feed. You will kick yourself if you miss it.  The Harlequin & Equitimax is sponsoring some of the beverages - so get amongst it.

$30 for the bus, a gut full of cans, pizzas at the Harlequin and more rugby songs & hairy cracks you can throw a tinny at.  Email Al Brennan to book your spot - click here GET ME ON THAT BUS!

The bus in the picture is an overseas model and may not be a true representation of the bus that will ship us around.

Abbey Mary Timmins was born at 4:50pm on Wednesday May 16th.  According to her dad ex-president Paul Timmins, "She is great, Amanda is well but exhausted and I am very excited."  I am sure I will have pictures to post soon...