Club Captain's Welcome
I am pleased to welcome all new and returning players to the Otago University Rugby Football Club ('OURFC') for the 2010 season.
I am sure that you have all been keeping fit over the summer months and hope that your fitness did not suffer as a result of your Christmas and New Year celebrations! If you are a first year student at Otago University and wish to play competitive rugby then OURFC is the ideal club for you. We have teams for men at both colts and premier level and have fielded up to three women's teams in recent seasons.
While the university prides itself on its academic excellence, OURFC prides itself on its rugby excellence. We have an unrivalled record both in Dunedin club rugby (most championships) and nationally (more All Blacks than any other club in NZ). Our high calibre of coaches for the 2010 season for all our teams will help you reach your potential as a rugby player.
The primary reason for OURFC's past success is that OURFC is the students' rugby club. Your team mates are all in similar circumstances to you (being penniless students!) and you are all at the same stage in your lives (most of you are probably living away from home for the first time!). These factors, together with the famous (some might say infamous) Otago University social scene, all contribute to a unique atmosphere at OURFC.
Furthermore, our grounds are situated only a moment's walk from campus so you do not have to arrange transport from your hostel or flat to get to training! Only students playing rugby for OURFC are eligible for selection for the New Zealand Universities' Team (and its overseas tours, Japan 2009, Southern California 2010) while the club itself has undertaken tours to the United States, China and South Africa in recent years.
I am therefore confident that your time playing rugby at OURFC will be one of the more memorable experiences of your university days.
To all those returning players – I hope that you were successful with your end of year exams and that you are rearing to go for another shot in 2010!