WE
might be in the midst of the cricket season, but Air Force Rugby
already has its sights set on next winter and another encouraging
season of interservice competition.
After a year in which it won significant respect at the Australian
Services Rugby Carnival in Canberra, Air Force Rugby is anticipating
a big year in 2003, and hopes to benefit from the Rugby World
Cup coming to Australia in October.
The Air Force rugby side might have lost both of its matches during
the 2002 carnival, but it was a lot more competitive than it had
been in the past.
Two Air Force players, Leading Aircraftman Storm Richter, of No.
23 Squadron, and Leading Aircraftman Brenden Christensen, of No.
322 Combat Support Squadron, were selected in the Australian Services
Rugby Union representative side on the strength of their excellent
performances in the carnival.
Air Force Rugby hopes to build on that success next season and,
with patron Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston lending
greatly appreciated support, it’s confident of doing so.
Air Force Rugby is also calling for interested members to become
part of its committee or work in a hands-on capacity as doctors,
physiotherapists, assistant coaches, strappers or drivers.
If you are interested in filling any of these positions in the
lead-up to and during next year’s interservice carnival,
scheduled for mid-year, contact Flight Sergeant Daniel Stack on
(02) 6265 3759.
Kiwis with rugby experience, who have joined the Air Force in
recent times following the New Zealand Defence Review, are also
encouraged to play in 2003.
2002 was also an encouraging year for Air Force women rugby players.
Leading Aircraftwomen Crystal Jones and Kate Harry both played
representative rugby during the year and were part of the Navy
women’s team which competed successfully at a rugby Sevens
tournament in Bangkok recently.
In addition, Jones and Leading Aircraftwoman Rachael Pike joined
the Navy women’s team which took on Army in this year’s
interservice carnival.
Air Force Rugby is looking for a bigger representation from its
women in 2003.
Anyone interested should contact Corporal Debbie Grylls on (03)
9256 2801.
| Schedule
for 2003 |
| May
31 - June 7 |
AFRU
Training Camp |
Sydney |
| June
8 |
Air
Force v Navy |
Victoria
Barracks |
| June
11 |
Air
Force v Army |
Victoria
Barracks |
| June
14 |
Army
v Navy (women) |
North
Sydney Oval |
| June
14 |
Army
v Navy |
North
Sydney Oval |
| ASRU
Squad then selected for 2003 tour, which follows interservice
carnival |
| Air
Force Rugby base contacts |
| Williamtown |
FLTLT
Terry New |
02
496 47301 |
| Amberley |
FLTLT
Luke Warner |
07
546 11444 |
| Richmond |
FLTLT
Justin Ryder |
02
458 73716 |
| East
Sale |
FLTLT
Anthony Connolly |
03
514 66459 |
| Canberra |
FSGT
Daniel Stack |
02
626 53759 |
| Wagga |
SGT
Tony Pratt |
02
693 74805 |
| Tindal |
SGT
Chris Filmer |
08
897 36401 |
| Laverton |
CPL
Jason Akarana |
03
925 62473 |
| Pearce |
CPL
Jason Bastaja |
08
957 17271 |
| Edinburgh |
CPL
Adam Campaign |
08
839 32111 |
| Darwin |
CPL
Richard Pryor |
08
892 238982 |
| Townsville |
AC
Ted Wilson |
07
475 21658 |
