The Old Boys - University Rugby Club takes social rugby very seriously indeed. The club currently includes seven social teams, each with its own proud history and identity. Here are profiles of some of them.
The Teddybears
Reputed to be New Zealand's oldest social team, the Teddybears were founded in 1967 following an eventful session at the long since demolished Midland Hotel, then one of Wellington's more notable public houses. A team was quickly assembled at practice the following Thursday (once again at the Midland Hotel, thus establishing the training regime for the following thirty-three years) and turned out in Victoria University's colours on the opening day of the season.
Thirty-odd years on and the Teddybears continue to thrive in each other's company. While famous for their social spirit (their annual 'Picnic' is a Wellington event), the Teddybears are also renown for the quality of their rugby. For many years the Teddybears successfully competed against 'training' teams, much to their frustration and annoyance. Now in the social grades, the Teddybears remain the team all others strive to beat. Many former representative and premier club players have turned out over the years, but to single anyone out for special mention is to miss the point of Teddybears Rugby. For as a Bear once said to an opposing player from whom he'd just received a crushing tackle: 'Nice tackle. By the way, you wouldn't know where a chap could get a decent latte 'round here?'
Once described by New Zealand's most celebrated satirist as 'dangerous youths, the type often found in magistrate's courts and inferior literature', the Teddybears take the act of not taking themselves too seriously, very seriously indeed. This they find is condusive to free running displays of champange rugby.
The Teddybears commitment to social rugby excellence is celebrated annually at the Bear of the Year Awards (or BOTYs). Here, the Bear of the Year is crowned, as is the Cub (first year Bear), Yogi (all-round performer), kick-on (best trainer), and the Mako (or 'Lite' Bear). On occasion, esteemed Teddybears are admitted to the Teddybear Hall of Fame. A full list of trophy winners can be viewed here.
The undisputed kings of social rugby, the Teddybears held the Jackie Ruru Shield for lengthy periods last century and are looking to build another impressive era. In 2000, the Teddybears successfully competed at the Hong Kong Tens tournament, winning the 'Team of the Tournament' award. The Bears returned to Hong Kong in 2002, winning the Bowl Championship, and then again in 2003, winning the Bowl and Team of the Tournament awards.
Edward Bear welcomes enquries from prospective players.
The Sixty Niners
The divine 69 conception began in 1977 at the infamous Victoria University Cafe, where some founding members (majoring in Cafe 301), decided they wanted to start a rugby team of their own. A legend was born. From that day, the tradition of wearing the number '69' on ones rugby jersey has made the team an icon in the Wellington social rugby scene.
The names and statistics of all players who have been lucky enough to grace the team with their brilliance (even the CEO of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union), have been kept for all to marvel at. Every player strives for the glory of their 69th 'blazer' game, with some going on to greater honours of Double 69 (that's 138 games) for the team.
The 1977-2001 game and points record is played 399, won 261, lost 121, drawn 17. The 69ers have scored 7,321 points, consisting of 1,166 tries, 345 penalties, 522 conversions (obviously we've scored out wide or have had some bad kickers in our time!) and 25 drop goals.
The team's 69th win was recorded in 1983 versus Hutt Valley Marist. The score was 18-9.
A major highlight for the team was its three-week, North American tour in 1989, where a great time was had by all, especially the retiring 69ers. The most recent years have been the team's best, winning the Wellington social grade in 1998 and 1999.
As with all Old Boys-University social teams, the Jackie Ruru Shield is the hallowed log of wood that the 69ers aspire to maintain - in recent times more successfully than others. The 69ers celebrated their jubilee in 2001.
Get in touch with the 69ers here.
The Pink Ginners
The origin of the Pink Ginners AFASF goes back to 1972 with the formation of the ANZ Bank social rugby team in the Wellington Open Third Grade. This team was affiliated to the Wellington College Old Boys Club (WCOB) and played in a pale blue strip. By the end of the 1970s, the team had been fully integrated into the club, although it retained its strong banking ties. During the 1980s the team moved into the junior grades and was for the rest of the decade known in club circles simply as the J3s. The J3s built up a tremendous record, both on and off the field and became the social lynch-pin of the WCOB club. The J3s were well known for their team trips and their many traditions such as 'The Egg', 'Purple Death' and 'The Piano is Getting Thirsty' [Please explain - Ed]. With this history came the motto of the team: AFASF or Available For All Social Functions.
In 1992, the amalgamation of WCOB and Victoria University clubs coincided with the restructure of lower grade club rugby. Now part of same club as many former adversaries, in particular the Teddybears, the team got into the swing of things and adopted the old handle attributed to the WCOB club as a whole - the Pink Ginners. This is a name the team has been worn with pride to this day. During the 1992 season, an off shoot was established in the form of a cricket team aligned with Wellington Collegians Cricket Club, called the Living Legends AFASF. This team has thrived along with the rugby team and AFASF now provides a year long social sporting calendar for participants.
The Pink Ginners have a special dispensation to wear the coveted black jersey, as this was the official alternative strip of the WCOB rugby club and as the Pink Ginners often find themselves in grades with one or more Old Boys-University social teams, an alternative to the normal club strip is required.
In recent times, the Pink Ginners have developed a website that keeps players and supporters up to date.
The Pink Ginners are and have always been AFASF.
The Dead Ants
The Dead Ants formed in 1988 out of the desire to continue playing after Under 21 rugby but without the need to train (outside of a pub). Numbers have been strong throughout the 20 year period both on and off the field and the University spirit is well and truly alive. This being the reason for the motto worn on all Ant jerseys - Non Hic sumus Areaneos Copulare!
Rather than taking on the green and white hoop jersey that has become synonymous with OBU rugby, the Ants have adopted a green and gold jersey of their own – designed on the jerseys of a bygone era these give the Dead Ants a smart yet distinctive element on the field.
The Dead Ants have tasted the success of social rugby in the Wellington region many times in their history. Several Dead Ants captains have held the Jackie Shield aloft in its time with the last being in 2000 – the desire to lift this again burns deep within each player who takes the field. The Ants have also seen success during the competition rounds, reaching the play-offs every year for the past four years and being joint winners in 2005.
Combining with their on field achievements the off-field ant-ics have immortalised the Ants in OBU social rugby history. Winning "Best Off-Field Social Team" for two years running in 2006-2007 the Ants planned events and continuous support of the OBU clubrooms (The Cambridge Hotel) has indeed been a success. With the Ant Ball, the Ant Dinner and the famous "Suburb of Origin" league match there is always something happening to keep the team spirit alive and kicking.
In it's 20th year, 2008 will be a special season for the Dead Ants.
Combining the experience of the old and the exuberance of the youth the Ants are a well balanced side that will build on the tradition of a team that works hard on the field but enjoys their time off it.
If you are interested in playing for the Ants, visit their website here.
The Yardies
The Yardies are one of the more recent additions to the illustrious OBU social grades. Formed only as recently as 2002, a group of ex-rugby players were playing touch and realised they still had a desire to mix it in the big game. Ably led by founding father Aaron Parris, the other founding members of Jeremy Patten, Phineas Lau Young and Grant Pratt hauled together a rag-tag group of friends, BNZ work-colleagues, and Wairarapa boys blinded by the bright lights of Wellington city.
The Yardie charter states that:
• To train is a mortal sin
• Thou shalt not kick for goal
• Thou shalt not abuse your fellow Yardie on the pitch
• Everyone gets a game
This mentality has brought forth a number of defining moments, including most tries scored in a season by a social-grade player (Aaron O'Neale with 15) in 2005, best social team of the year in 2003, a Mr. OBU winner in Simon Caudwell (2004), and two social trips to Blenheim and Nelson where what went on tour definitely stayed on tour.
Four years on, many of the original team have moved away from Wellington or retired. It is a credit to the foundations they created that The Yardies, organised now by Joel Healy, continue to grow from strength-to-strength with their unique brand of champagne rugby. Over the last few years, results have improved steadily from 3 wins and 13 losses in 2003, to 6 wins, 7 losses and 2 draws in 2005. The 2006 season has seen the best ever start to a season for the team.
Finally, for those that were curious, the team name comes from our symbol - the half-yard glass. No Jamaican gangsters play for us, as far as we're aware...
Further Information
For more information about social rugby at Old Boys - University, please contact Social Rugby Convenor, Brent Anderson.
