Hello once more,
It has yet again been a rather eventful couple of weeks between updates. Hopefully the coming weeks start returning to some form of normality.
Sadly due to the rains our field has been closed by Ipswich City Council for over a week, and this afternoon we have been informed they will remain closed until at least Wednesday, when they will be reassessed. We really can’t seem to take a trick at all when it comes to the weather. It was due to the field closures that we reluctantly had to cancel our second trial game, against Inala, that was due to be played on the 2nd of March. The field closure also meant that the Ipswich Young Guns Vs Logan Boys Charity match could not proceed on Friday the 1st of March. We are hopeful that the rain will hold off enough now for us to get back out on the paddock again late this week.
The club is looking into alternative training arrangements due to the fields being closed and will post updates on our website and Facebook as plans are confirmed.
We hope to be able to announce our next Senior’s trial later in the week. Again, watch this space, our website and Facebook for more information.
The 2013 season draw should be available after the IRL delegates meeting tonight. We will post it on our website and on Facebook when it is confirmed.
First Trial Game – Recap
Our first trial of the year was hosted by Toowoomba Valley’s on the 23rd of February. With a number of players unavailable due to prior commitments, we headed up the range with a single, rather large squad to take on the Roosters. With a very mixed side, with only 5 of last years A Grade squad available and about a 50/50 mix of B and C Grade, the boys put forward a great effort. The end result was a 42-36 loss although plenty of positives could be taken from the hit out.
Valleys started the game with the majority of their A Grade squad from last year and jumped out to an 18-0 lead in the first quarter, playing virtually mistake free football. Our boys rallied well to make a real game of it against a side that had already played multiple trials this year. At one point we needed 26 points in 27 minutes at the back end of the game as we trailed 36-10. The boys took the ascendancy and closed to within a converted try before conceding the clincher to push the score out to 42-30. The boys should hold their heads high having competed so well against a more polished side.
Under 18s
With the Jets moving to Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday training that means that CC and MM Cup revert to a Monday and Wednesday which in turn frees Mick Newton (our u18s coach) up to have the u18s train with the rest of the club on Tuesday and Thursday Nights.
Our under 18s have their first trial of the year this weekend when they travel to Southport to take on the Tigers u17 squad. Our u18s will be joining our Junior Club as all age groups will be playing at Southport on Saturday.
Season Launch – Saturday 16th March
Our season launch will be held on the evening of Saturday 16th of March. Juniors will be playing their first home games during the day before we hold our launch with arrivals from 530pm for a 6pm start. Entry will be $10 at the door (FREE for Sponsors and Blue and Gold Club Members) and include finger food and entry into lucky door prize draws. There will be a number of draws (Lucky door and Blue and Gold Club) throughout the night, an A Grade first-try-scorer Jersey Calcutta, a few TigerTV presentations and a Musical Act to provide entertainment at the end of the night.
Please RSVP to Shane Ritchie via 0439 891 185 or norths.tigers.shane.ritchie@gmail.com by the 11th of March. We are looking forward to a great night and kicking off our season in style.
Blue and Gold Club Membership
Our Blue and Gold Club Memberships are still selling. With only 100 tickets available and a total prize pool of over $5000 be sure to get your name in quickly. The first draw has been moved back from Friday the 15th of March to Saturday the 16th of March to coincide with our season launch event. Any Blue and Gold Club Members (financial) will receive free entry into the Season Launch Event (entry usually $10).
Blades Runners
The Leagues Club have entered into an arrangement with X-Blades footwear to give you an opportunity to purchase runners through the club. The shoes retail for between $80-$90 but through the Leagues Club you can get a pair for just $45. Money raised from the sale of the runners will go towards our Junior and Senior Clubs and assisting Ipswich State High School’s Rugby League program. Speak to Haugy about the offer for more info.
Touch Plus
Touch Plus have announced that their season has once more been pushed back a week due to the fields being closed. Anyone who is interested in entering a team or just playing this exciting new form of touch, find touch plus on Facebook, check out their website, or ask Jade or Haugy at the bar for more info.
For anyone who hasn’t already, be sure to like our facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/northipswichtigers
and follow us on Twitter:
@NorthsTigers or
https://twitter.com/northstigers
to keep up to date with everything that is going on at Tiger Town.
You can also find us on the interwebz:
http://northipswichtigers.wordpress.com/
so be sure to add us to your favourites; as team lists, news items, TigerTV and more will be updated throughout the year.
We’re now just one month away from kick off for season 2013. I hope to see you all at our season launch as we gear up for round 1. I look forward to enjoying the ride with you as we strive to make 2013 The Year of The Tiger.
As always, Up the Tigers!
Shane Ritchie
President
Norths Tigers Senior RLFC – Ipswich
Ph: 0439 891 185 | Email: norths.tigers.shane.ritchie@gmail.com
