MANAWATU RUGBY LEAGUE Presented at the 2016 Annual General Meeting 6.30pm|17th November 2016|Sport Manawatu Vision Be the most innovative and professional sporting organisation in NZ Mission To make Rugby League a mainstream sport in the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Tararua, Rangitikei and Whanganui regions 3 | Contents 4 | Who made it happen? Board of Control : Manawatu Classics Rugby League Members Stu Balfour (Chair) Craig Purdy Brad Cassidy Manawatu Mustangs U13s Mike Haddon (Late) Mitch Brown (Head Coach) Carolyn Sherwill Steve Pragnell Manawatu Mustangs U15s Josh Larking Haki Herewini (Head Coach) Brayden Lockyer Manawatu Mustangs U17s Advisors: Peter Butler (Head Coach) Phillip Meads Manawatu Mustangs Mens Massey University Practicum Students Matthew Cole (Head Coach) Mickey Wooliams Paki Ngaira (Assist Coach) Jason King (Manager) Mini Mustangs Committee Shane Hoare (Head Trainer) Steve Hodson Jonathan Mackey (Medic) Shane Cotton Andrew Ramson Isaac Ponga Sanjay Patel 5 | Chairs Report 6 | District Managers Report It has been a extremely rewarding 12 months in my role as District Manager of Manawatu Rugby League. Through the guidance of the MRL Board and MRL community I believe we have come along way during this time and have only just begun laying the platform. One of the first highlights for the 2014-2015 year was the Gold Coast Titans camp co-ordinated by Peter Butler. An outstanding and highly professional camp which did not receive the acknowledgment it deserved. A concept which we weren't able to continue this year, however there has been much discussion in place with various NRL clubs over the time. Watch this space in 2016. The numbers of teams & clubs that entered for the 2015 season was disappointing adding to this was the failure of the proposed U20’s 9s competition. However, the quality of many of teams in the competitions was outstanding. This was highlighted in a successful Junior and Premier finals day. Again, congratulations to Kia Ora Warriors U13s, U15s & U17s teams for a clean sweep of all Junior grades. A special mention must go to Whiti Te Ra, who claimed their third consecutive MRL premiership. Also, huge accolades to the Linton Cobras Woman’s for winning their second consecutive title in the Wellington Rugby League competition. It was great to see the Manawatu Mustangs Men's team in full flight this year, an area which will have an increased focus for myself in the 2016 season. The Junior Mustangs also produced some outstanding results where they competed against their Hawkes Bay and Taranaki counter parts. We have only scratched the surface of using the power of the Mustangs brand to its full potential. The MRL Referees Association was a relationship which we wanted to strengthen, together with Harry Lysaght and his team we created a strategic plan, which has given them some guidance for the upcoming years. The MRLRA continue to produce top tier referees' and continue to develop new ones year in year out. Under the guidance of Harry, our referees will be able to continue their excellent work. The stalwarts of Manawatu Rugby League were always offering their assistance which has led to forming working relationship between MRL and the Manawatu Classics. They were the backbone to our game day processes over the year. We hope to see this relationship grown further in the years to come. Mid Central Zone continue to provide excellent support to the Manawatu District. Both Lisa Reweti and Ebony Low have been tremendous in supporting me and our community when called upon. Thank you for your time and effort over 2015. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Stu Balfour and the MRL Board for their time and commitment over the year. Our Rugby League community are in very capable hands under their governance and leadership. The behind the scenes work and dedication is not often seen by the community, however I can assure you that the MRL Board go beyond the call of duty. Special mention to the Massey University Practicum students Isaac Ponga and Lachlan Gordon who have put in countless voluntary hours over the year. Together with the MRL board and myself we will be aim to take MRL from strength to strength and work towards our vision of being the most innovative and professional sporting organisation in NZ. Sanjay Patel District Manager Manawatu Rugby Football League 7 | MRL Competitions Although down on teams and numbers out competitions continued to produce some excellent levels of Rugby League. Our Junior Friday night competition began extremely well. However, once winter and various sporting codes kicked in, our competition and player numbers began to be decline, with one club pulling out all together. With only 3 teams left in the U15s & U17s grade the option was given to those clubs to join the Wellington Rugby League grades. Two clubs joined the WRL grade, however the travel and Rugby season began to take a toll with both teams pulling out towards the back end of the season. Our Premier competition began with five teams including an addition team based in Palmerston North, the Tainui Rhinos, however during the off season Whiti Te Ra Otaki had formally disaffiliating themselves from MRL, leaving to join the WRL competition. Although a shortened season, due to the nature of the revamped representative and Western Alliance season, Whanganui Boxon managed to secure a great win in tough conditions at Fitzherbert Park. It was the clubs first title since their establishment five years ago. Kia Ora Warriors Whanganui Boxon 32 Linton Cobras Red Kia Ora Warriors 12 Whanganui Boxon Linton Cobras Green Tainui Rhinos 8 | Junior Mustangs Ihaia Tanirau Jimi Parsons Jared Sellwood Tipene Norman Malachi Nukanuka Terrence Graham Thomas Lilo, Tobias Crawford Memphis Hennessey Tipene Harvey Jacob Fafita Tovo Tipene Reweti Teaotahi Tuhaka Hamiora Wiwarena (Captain), Ilisoni Rauhihi Awa Wano Liam Adolf Malakai Masoe Malachi Lilo Connor Brown Arama Peke-Meihana Kayin Katene Tiaho Taiaroa Arasi Filo Keilani Nahona Tinoroa (Mana) Horua-Timoti Brandon Puru Zamaya Lilo Tipene Reweti Jamie-Lee Robertson Ngarimu Waru Tyrese Ratahi Jayden Tumanako Potene Rolls-Paewai Tyrine Takarangi Joshua Callaghan Rukuwai Te Weri William (Wiljay) Mitford Kalos Governor Sean Tighe Kaya Bartlett Tama Kawana Jahlon GOVERNOR (c) Greegan THOMPSON-DOCKERY Jahvahney NAHONA Pawhare KERSHAW Iakopo MAUOLA Corey ROBERTSON Wesley VEIKOSO Nikau TANGAROA Shadow WIRORI Kirihi NOHOTIMA-HUNIA Murray McFARLANE Neihana JOHNSON Usaia FONONGALOA Rafael VELLA Jackson SCULLY Kayne BARTLETT Shae GRAY Logan MERCER Te Kopae FILO Awatere KIWARA 9 | Manawatu Mustangs The premier Mustangs assembled on 4th May for the first time of the 2016 season, their first opponent being the Taranaki Sharks on Saturday 21 May. This game created an excitement amongst the team as it was to be a curtain raiser to the NZ Warriors and Canberra Raiders NRL game played at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth. The game was played in blustery conditions, Mustangs had a strong opening 15 minutes and controlled the opening stanza and were able to capitalize on their early pressure to get out to a quick 4 – 0 lead. The Taranaki Sharks regained control and dominated rest of match coming out eventual winners 38 – 8. The central regional championship to qualify for the NZRL National Championship was reduced to the Manawatu Mustangs and Taranaki Sharks after Gisborne and Hawkes Bay withdrew. The qualifying team from the central district would be decided over two games in a home and away series. The first game was a home game played at Fitzherbet Park. It was a disruptive lead up to this game with the uncertainty of the MRL Board, low attendance at trainings, players withdrawing from the team, and players moving out of the district. The last match tested the strength of the Manawatu player pool with players outside of the squad called upon to cover injuries and player unavailability. The equation was simple – We needed to win, draw or at the worst lose by less than eight points. Date Home Team V Away Team Venue 21 May Taranaki Sharks 38 V Manawatu Mustangs 8 Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 21 August Manawatu Mustangs 32 V Taranaki Sharks 24 Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North 03 September Taranaki Sharks 22 V Manawatu Mustangs 10 Ngamotu Domain, New Plymouth Team List: 8. Pita Marshall - (Linton Cobras) 9. Tommy Fifita-Tova – (Kia Ora Warriors) Head Coach - Matthew Cole 10. Gordan Karaitiana – (Whanganui Boxon) Assistant Coach - Paki Ngaira 11. Graham Merriman - (Linton Cobras) Manager - Jason King 12. Solomua Falemai- (Linton Cobras) Head Trainer - Shane Hoare 13. Codie Christensen - (Linton Cobras) Medic - Jonathan Mackey 14. Eruera Wirihana - (Linton Cobras) 15. Silivelio Pekepo-Tevaga - (Kia Ora Warriors) 1. Logan Afoa - (Linton Cobras) 16. Parekaia Tapiata - (Kia Ora Warriors) 2. Josh Metekingi - (Whanganui Boxon) 17. Lugh Gimpl - (Linton Cobras) 3. Vai Vaisagote - (Linton Cobras) 18. Josh Tuiraki – (Ohakea Magpies) 4. Nikolao Ioane - (Linton Cobras) 19. Darren Pullen - (Ohakea Magpies) 5. Serevasio Vetenibua - (Linton Cobras) 20. David Orum - (Ohakea Magpies) 6. Sione Akua (VC) - (Linton Cobras) 21. Dax Apera - (Kia Ora Warriors) 7. Corey Governor ( C) – (Tainui Rhinos) 22. Tepiwa Bullock – (Tainui Rhinos) 10 | Mid Central Vipers Wipere Takitimu Jackson Scully Jay dee Lilo Jahvahney Nahona Kahurangi Winikerei Murray Macfarlane Manaaki Cook 2 non traveling reserves are: Josh Rauhihi Te Kopae Filo Nikau Tangaroa Akarana Howe Shae Grey Tobias Manuel Hitaua Butler Josiah Nolan Joey Los’e Israel