New Brighton Rugby Club Annual Report 2013 (Volume 1) | Page 32

Under Six Jellyfish
Team Jellyfish - the whole team apart from one had never played rugby before. By the end
of the season you wouldn't have guessed it. We had some kids at the start of the season that
never wanted to touch the rugby ball; by the end of season they were setting up and scoring
their own tries.
We know scoring tries isn't everything, we watched every game the improvements they
made, one week only one child would get the rips to the next week all the kids were giving it
a go, not only giving it a go but not giving up.
This team has so much determination and passion for the game and for each other. The
support and commitment they have for each other is just unbelievable and never thought a
bunch of 5/6 year olds could share such a bond. As Coach and Manager we are so humbled
by the dedication the kids have shown all season, and the passion and the support from the
parents has been outstanding.
We are extremely proud of our team, to be given the award "Most Promising Under 6
Team" was such an unexpected surprise, we are so proud of our team and knew they we
awesome but to be recognised by the club this is such an honour and we are incredibly proud
of this achievement. We can't wait for 2014 season to start!!!!
Corey Counihan

Under Six Pipis
The New Brighton U6 Pipis are a first year team that has enjoyed a great first year as a
side. We came together in April and had a good mix of children aged between 3 – 6 years old
with varying degrees of understanding about how the game was played – the same can be
said for the coaches and management!
It quickly became apparent that the thing that our team didn’t lack was energy, and an
enthusiasm to play the game and learn from week to week.
Following our grading games, where we experienced mixed results against a series of 1st
year sides, and 2nd/3rd year sides, we gathered for our first competition game against
Sydenham keen to see how would go against fellow first year teams of a similar age and
understanding. Unfortunately things didn’t quite go our way that Saturday, but following our
first game, the U6 Pipis then proceeded to go unbeaten in their next 13 competition games,
winning 12 and drawing 1 against a very big Burnside team – an outstanding effort.
The highlight of the season for us as coaches and managers has not been the results –
although they help – but the attitude of the children towards the rugby we played. Very rarely
did we have anything less than a full complement of players and we have seen great
improvement in all the children. Regardless of who we were playing, they continued to give
their all and kept coming back week after week with the same levels of enthusiasm as before.
Our Player of the Season was Felix Nome and Lucas McCrostie was Most Improved,
although both of these awards could have gone to any number of the players for the effort and
improvement they showed. Thanks to Nick and Brett for the time and effort they gave to
coach the children, and last but not least to the parents and supporters who came down week
in week out – we were never outnumbered on the sidelines and we look forward to more of
the same next year. See you all in 2014 – Kia Kaha. DOUGIE