RUGBY
UNION
By
LCDR Tony Underwood
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Chief
of Navy VADM Chris Ritchie intervenes in polite scuffle
outside his office between Systems Commander CDRE Russ Crane
and Maritime Commander RADM Raydon Gates whose best rugby
teams will be vying for the Lord Denham Trophy in Sydney
next April.
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|
Photo:
Michael Weaver
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At
the most recent Naval Symposium, Systems Commander CDRE Russ Crane
finished his address with a flourish, throwing down a challenge
to Maritime Commander RADM Raydon Gates.
He described the seven ‘Rs’ of strategic priorities
identified for the Navy – recruiting, retention, reconstitution,
re-equipping, realignment, resourcing and reputation.
“And don’t forget the eighth ‘R’ – that’s
for rugby,” he said pointedly to the Maritime Commander.
“Your team, your place. You make the time and we’ll
be there to square up.”
At stake is the Challenge Cup Trophy, originally presented to
the RAN on December 12, 1913 by His Excellency Lord Denham PC,
GCMG, KCVO, Governor General of Australia.
Details of the next feast of rugby are still being firmed up,
but we can reveal the event will be held in Sydney on April 22,
2004.
This enables the MONS Cup, planned for the April 7, to be completed
prior to the Inter-Command match, providing the Commands’
selectors with an opportunity to witness Navy’s rugby talent
in action.
“The intended venue and structure of the rugby carnival is
still to be finalised,” said a spokesperson, “but we
expect there to be two curtain-raisers to the main game, a colt’s
game (U21) and a women’s game.
The day will culminate with the Systems Command versus Maritime
Command game, with the Challenge Cup being presented on completion.”
“However, the carnival is not just about rugby – it
will provide an opportunity for all members of the two commands
to get together and participate in some healthy inter-command
rivalry.
“Therefore, other social activities are being arranged by
the steering committee that will enable non-playing personnel
and their families to derive maximum enjoyment from the day.”
Nominations for the Command teams are expected to be called for
in February.
The two points of contact are the respective team managers: CMDR
Brian Eagles (Systems Command) on (02) 9359 3196, and CMDR Tony
Raeside (Maritime Command) on (02) 9359 4040.
