Thomas Pouplin the First Red Card Steve Mommarets a Humorous
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www.oldbangkokbangers.com MY RUGBY STORY Thomas Pouplin BANGER BANTER NEWSLETTER : July - September 2013 RUGBY HISTORY The First Red Card A MANILA MINUTE Steve Mommarets EXCLUSIVE KNOW YOUR POSTION Over A Heinnie Interview A Humorous Review INSIDE Stew’s Views Ancient Quill Five Minutes Ask Nantida Tom Kerr “You Will Always be A Banger” hat a year it has been for the Bangers. In our first year in Division One of the Thai Rugby Union competition we were more than just a competitive side, winning games against key sides. Fortunately, the club recruited well during the off season and had additional talent on the sidelines for most games. Coach Jeff Klentzi was a lucky man. In the past, coaches have always struggled for players during the business end of the season. The rugby bonus this year, was getting into the Final of the SEA Challenge Cup, in our second year in the competition. Victories against Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia earnt the Banger Colts this privilege. The final is in Manila at the end of November, against the Manila Nomads. It promises to be a thriller. The Banger Vets have entered the Vintage Rugby February 2014 in Perth, Western Australia. The Carnival has created a lot of interest amongst the silver hair brigade in Bangkok. It could be the biggest team ever to tour in Banger colours, surpassing the Banger Originals tour to Limerick, Ireland. in 2004. Planning is on course, for the next “Bangers On Bikes” Charity Ride in 2014. Instead of the usual Bangkok /Phuket ride the charity riders have taken on a bigger challenge. and made the call to ride from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh. We are losing another prominent club member, Andrew Lamont. Andrew was the chief representative of Heineken in Thailand. The Bangers drank a lot of his beer, barrels of it in fact !!! Andrew was more than that just a spokesman for Heineken to the Bangers. He played rugby for the Banger Vets and also cycled each year in the Bangers on Bikes annual charity rides. Andrew is returning to New Zealand with his wife and family We wish him the best of luck. As always, looking for contributors to the Banger Banter. Remember, it is your newsletter. Editor www.oldbangkokbangers.com EDITORIAL Steve Mommarets Roberto Guolo PHOTOGRAPHY Andrew Tatam Mike Laloli Andrew Raming Jeff Klentzi PROOF READER Tom Kerr Roger Fitzgerald, Kevin Murphy Mike Laloli Hamish Watters WEBMASTER Mike Gilbert Mike Laloli Stewart Gorman Andrew Hjelmeland Banger Banter July- September 2013 GUEST WRITERS The BANGER BANTER is published quarterly for members, c Brad M Elvoy sponsors and friends of the rugby club. The Banger Banter can be downloaded from the club web site. Members contribute all editorial and photography. The layout and design is provided by Ruck Graphics, a member of the Old PUBLISHER : Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club Bangkok Banger Rugby Club. 4 July - September 2013 Banger Banter “You Will Always be A Banger” 7. Chairman Speak Message From The Chairman, Roberto Guolo. 10. Inside Our Sponsor Interview with Brad McElvoy, Barbecue Galore 12. Tates Club Captains Blog 13. Colts Captain Andrew Raming. 14 On The Field Adrien Simon - Playing Captain 15. Banger Humour Jokes to brighten up your day 17. Etraineur Jeff Klentzi. Coach. Shut up and listen 18. Banger Ancients New Skipper. Kevin Murphy 20 20. Over A Heineken Keith Coljohn 24. My Rugby Life Thomas Pouplin 33. Rugby Ruffian Best Food For A Rugby Player 37. Know Your Position A Humourous Look At Team Positions 35 38 40 39. Rugby History The Frst Ever Red Card In 1925 42. China Hand Andrew Hjelmeland ex Banger Now In China 45. Five Minutes Chris Fargus 46. The Healthy Banger Rugby Conditioning Techniques 47. Ask Nantida Resident Banger Rugby Therapist 24 3 30 41 The Old Bangkok Banger Rugby Club Are Proudly Sponsored by 6 July - September 2013 Banger Banter “You Will Always be A Banger” s I have previously mentioned, it is time for the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club to become a more professional and modern rugby club both on and off the pitch. I believe that we have the talent and ability to accomplish this. We have had more games this season than we have ever had. Fortunately we retained core players who performed so well last season and have seen the return of some players we had not seen for a season or two. We have also recruited well with new faces added to our three teams. Whilst new players and a fresh approach can inject vigour and ambition, they cannot guarantee success. This comes down to the attitude of the players, the supporters and the committee. We must accept we are amateur rugby club, family and work commitments of our players and volunteers must come first however, I do believe that if our attitude is right then success will follow. Look at the success the club has had this season in the Thai Rugby Union competition and in the SEA Challenge Cup. Making it into the Final of the SEA Cup in three weeks was probably not on the radar screen at the start of the season. It was player dedication and commitment that got us there. The game against the Manila Nomads in the Final will not be a easy match. One thing I do know for sure is, the Banger Colts will step up as they have done all season. Finally, the success of the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club is dependant upon work by a number of volunteers who work hard behind the scenes throughout this season. I thank these volunteers for their efforts. It is appreciated. Roberto Goulo Chairman Banger Banter July - September 2013 7 AdMock “You Will Always be A Banger” Website : www.bbqthai.com BRAD Mc ELROY Managing Director. Barbecues Galore. Thailand BANTER : As one of the Old Bangkok Banger Rugby Club sponsors, the Banger Banter would like to interview you. BRAD : Pleasure guys. It was at the upstairs Wall Street bar where the “Bangers” were invented. I remember it clearly, like most great rugby memories. Wall Street and the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club both have our barbecues. Many Bangers have feasted off them and and presumably survived… BANTER : Can you please give us a little background on Barbecues Galore. Thailand ? BRAD : I was unable to find a decent BBQ locally, so we imported a few and set up out first store in a dodgy Soi 33 sub-soi. We’re now in Sukhumvit Soi 39 where we have a showroom and 700 metre warehousing for 1,500 BBQ’s. From here we import and distribute to our ten outlets around Thailand and surrounding countries. BANTER : Barbecues Galore has a range of BBQ units from apartment balcony units to your full-blown outdoor machines ? Which of these is the strongest sector? BRAD : The range of barbecues &and accessories is extensive. Compact balcony BBQ’s start at Bt 2,000, family sized units Bt 15-20K. Larger BBQ’s with marble benchtops, fridges and sinks for serious outdoor entertainment are Bt 250,000 the same price as in Australia. Most popular in Bangkok is the “Ziggy”, which is also Australia’s best selling compact BBQ. It’s a balcony BBQ with a 5 year warranty, cooks anything including steaks, bacon & eggs, pizza and by special request the mother-in-law if you’re quick.!! We have gas fired BBQ’s, charcoal, electric, spit roasts, smokers and marine options. BANTER : Can you give us a snapshot of the market in Thailand today are your customers both Thai’s and Westerners? BRAD : About 70% of the business is retail. Mainly families but also couples in apartments. Other buyers include hotels, restaurants, resorts and developments and department stores. We promote in both the Western and Thai media with Thai customers our largest growth sector. BANTER : How has Barbecue Galore developed its presence in the market over the past few years? BRAD : “It will never work” I was advised. Nevertheless we began in 1998 and immediately started advertising as our product was largely unknown. The strategy has been to source quality product from reputable manufacturers, advertise, draw interest to a simple but informative website, focus on SEO, 10 July - September 2013 Banger Banter “You Will Always be A Banger” promote on-line ordering or a visit to one of our showrooms. In response to demand we also offer a cleaning and repair or restore service. After 15 years we have thousands of customers who’s referrals provide a great source of business. BANTER : How do you evaluate and measure the success of your efforts? BRAD : If there’s enough in the petty cash to have a beer at Tenderloins, we’ve done something right! We closely measure website hits and showroom visits against sales and try to improve the ratio’s. After sales follow-ups give us vital feedback, social media tracking and feedback, customer suggestions. Another measure of success as is our business suppliers. Our product offer must reflect local award from the Australian Chamber in Thailand. requirements. Condos need a range of barbecues We are continuing to expand in Thailand and to suit balconies. surrounding countries. Its gratifying helping those Resorts and larger villas in Phuket, Samui, Hua new to the barbecue experience as well as learning Hin and Chiang Mai may require larger units for from seasoned “grill masters”. poolside barbecue parties and functions. Hotels BANTER : As you look down the track, what are you have compact barbecues for private dining. We most focused on to make sure the strength of the have to make sure our staff and financial resources company continues? are correctly balanced to support existing markets BRAD : A motivated & trained staff who has and our expansion plans.