Category: Northern Swords 15s

Northern Swords 15s and 17s UpdateNorthern Swords 15s and 17s Update

To view a full set of photographs go to the Northern Swords Facebook page.

The Swords 15s and 17s preparation for the NZRL National Tournament at the end of September has seen a busy couple of weeks during the July School Holidays.

In the first week of the holidays they attended a two day camp.  The first day saw them stay at the Ngunguru Marae where they underwent a number of team building activities including presentations from NorthTec around careers, Waka Ama and field work.  In the evening Phil Pakea from the “Its not Ok” Group talked with the teams around anti-violence and what means to be a responsible boy growing into a man.

The second day of the camp saw the boys go to the ASB Stadium in Whangarei.  The day was run in partnership between NZRL and RLN with the help of NorthTec. Attending the Camp were, Brent Gemmel – NZRL High Performance Manager, Dean Watkins – NZRL Talent Manager, Joe Harawira NZRL Welfare Manager and Duane Mann – NZ Warriors Development Manager.  Duane Mann and Joe Harawira ran presentations around player development and player welfare, while Dean Watkins, Brent Gemmel and Duane Mann ran skills sessions.  All the players also went through a comprehensive fitness testing program run by NorthTec and their Fitness Lab Technicians.

On the final week of the holidays the 15s and 17s travelled down to Rotorua for the annual 15s and 17s Upper Central Zone Tournament against Coastline, Bay of Plenty and Waikato.  On the first day both the 15s and 17s defeated Coastline, while the 15s lost in the last minute to Bay of Plenty and the 17s lost to Waikato.  On day two both the 15s and 17s went down in close hard fought games, the 15s to Waikato and the 17s to Bay of Plenty.  The 17s then went on to win against Coastline to seal 3^rd place, while the 15s went down to Coastline to finish 4^th.

Both squads grew throughout the tournament and are now working in preparation for the Nationals in late September.

For the 15s, Quintin Taimu, Paul Turner and Rawiri Leach made the Tournament team with Paul Turner being named Back of the Tournament.

In the 17s, Kingi Tane and Brody Tamarua made the Tournament Team.

Adding to an already busy tournament Brody Tamaraua, Te Kahi Nathan (U16s both from Muriwhenua) and Caleb Aekins (U18s – Hikurangi) attended the NZRL 16s 18s National Performance Camp to trial for a Kiwi Jersey. Click here to read the NZRL news story.

Northern Swords 2015 – 15s and 17s – Rotorua SelectionNorthern Swords 2015 – 15s and 17s – Rotorua Selection

Kia ora Whanau, Congratulations to those who have made the selection team for the Northern Swords 15s and 17s in Rotorua this week. Apologies for the delay in getting this information to you, it was a very hard decision to make and they are only allowed a maximum of 25 players. Apologies to those players with hyphenated names, I have had to shorten this in order to fit onto one page. Also included in this information is What to Bring and an Itinerary.

Northern Swords 15s and 17s – Rotorua Selection

Cost

The cost to attend this camp is $100.00. All accommodation, meals and activities will be included in the cost for the trip. Players may bring additional funds at their own discretion.

Payments can be made by Direct Debit to RLN Bank Account: 02 0214 0151541 000
Ref: Family Name and age group: i.e. SMITH17

Consent Form

Please ensure that you have completed the Player Consent form and brings it with them in the morning (if they did not already complete and submit one at the Ngunguru camp or sent through since then). Players have been given the forms, but additional forms can be obtained either from the team managers or by emailing rln@nzrl.co.nz

What to Bring

PLEASE COULD PLAYERS BRING A SMALL PLATE OF BAKING TO CONTRIBUTE

It will be cold in Rotorua, and possibly very wet, please pack appropriate warm/wet weather clothing.

Sleeping bag, pillow/cover
Toiletries
Rugby Boots and Sneakers
Mouth Guard
Black Pants, White Shirt (travel in for Powhiri)
Sweatshirt and Track Pants
Shorts x3
Socks x3
Warm Jacket, Beanie, Hoodie
Wet Weather clothing
Togs/Towel – for Swimming Thursday
Towels (x2)
Plastic Bags for dirty/wet gear

Key Contacts – 15s
Head Coach – Joe Rau – 021 958 852
Manager – Rob Akuhata – 029 200 6694
Trainer – John Radovanovich

Key Contacts – 17s
Head Coach – Jim Larkin – 0211 955 122
Manager – Taute Harrison – 0210 513 780
Trainer – Jim Croft

Itinerary

Wednesday 15th July 2015

Thursday 16th July 2015 – Draw

Friday 17th July 2015 – Draw

Naku noa
Aaron Thomas, RLN Development Manager

Swords 15s and 17s – 6th-7th July Performance Camp ScheduleSwords 15s and 17s – 6th-7th July Performance Camp Schedule

Please click on the link below to view the 2 day itinerary.

RLN Camp Itinerary – 6_7th July

Official draw for the Northern Swords 15s – “Got A Trade” NZRL National Youth TournamentOfficial draw for the Northern Swords 15s – “Got A Trade” NZRL National Youth Tournament

Swords 15s go within a breath of Victory!Swords 15s go within a breath of Victory!

While the Premiers were doing battle with the Wellington Orcas the 15s and 17s Swords were in Tournament mode taking on the best Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Coastline had to offer in the Upper Central Zone district tournament in Rotorua.  The tournament is used as a building block to prepare for the 15s and 17s National Zonal Tournament held in late September.

The Swords 15s had an outstanding tournament, going within a breath of taking it out.  With less than 4 minutes left on the clock they were leading Bay of Plenty 18 – 16 when they gave away a penalty.  BOP declined the kick taking the Swords by surprise to march down the field and score winning in a thrilling match 20 -18.

To make the final the Swords defeated Bay of Plenty 34 – 4, Coastline 26 – 24 and Waikato 23 – 16.  They were rewarded for their impressive display with five boys selected for the tournament team – Takakino Makara, Nikau Graham, Brody Tamarua, Jackson Sparkson -Brott, and Thomas Anderson with Thomas getting forward of the tournament.

Thomas Anderson

Nikau Graham

Takakino Makara

Jackson Sparksman-Brott

Brodie Tamarua

Coach Jim Larkin was pleased with his team’s performance, “This gives us a real understanding of where we are at as a team, I knew we had talent and this squad and the weekends’ performance proved it.  We beat BOP in the first match of the tournament although disappointing to lose to them in the final it was still a massive achievement,” he said.

The Swords 17s didn’t have as much success as the 15s, however they put on some solid displays of League, giving coach Benson Selwyn, lots of positives to take out of the weekend by finishing 3^rd.  “It was a good test for us to get used to playing Tournament Football, we were under prepared to play 4 games in two days and some of the boys got early knocks but we now know where we need to work on” he said.

The Swords 17s defeated Coastline 26 – 14, lost to Waikato 32 – 14 and Bay of Plenty 36 – 6 and then defeated Coastline 28 – 14 in the 3^rd and 4^th playoff. Full Back Duncan McIvor and Stand Off Caleb Aekins, were selected in the Tournament Team.

Northern Swords 15s – Train On SquadNorthern Swords 15s – Train On Squad

The below players have been selected as the 15s Train On Squad.  POD training is compulsory attendance. Information letters will be posted from 15s Manager later this week.

POD training locations: Kaitaia and Bluegoose

POD training days: Starting Monday 30th June and every Monday thereafter.

POD training times: 6:00pm start

Bring: Mouthguards, boots and waterbottles

Management Team:

Northern Swords 15s – Nominations for NZRL Performance CampNorthern Swords 15s – Nominations for NZRL Performance Camp