President's Monday Musings

From the pen of Club President, John Spillane...

The Red Machine has spluttered along at times over recent years due to an assortment of factors – many of which were outside of our control – but in 2024 it seems like the Machine is starting to run a little smoother.

You might think that I am referring to the wins over the weekend – with our Premiers and Colts both beating last year’s champions Oriental Rongotai and our Reserve Grade Internationals kicking their season off with a strong performance – but I am not.

As great as it is to have W's in the results column – it is not what excites me about Marist St Pats in 2024.

I am actually referring to what has happened over the off season and preseason periods and continues to happen week in week out, with coaches delivering quality training and players working really hard to improve their game and playing with pride and courage every time they pull on the red jersey.

And I am referring to how united and connected the players are across the Club. I am not sure of the correlation here, but the subs collection is building well – it seems players are seeing value in being a paid-up member of the Club – which in itself is brilliant.

I am also referring to the support we have received from a group of wonderful sponsors – especially Natoli Ltd, SWP, Higgins Concrete and the wonderful people / companies in the Shamrock Club – their support has relieved the financial pressure in running a rugby club in these times.

Being a Marist St Pats home game – our first of the season – we prepared to feed ALL the players and supporters on Saturday night. We had advertised a Pasifika themed after match with a DJ operating after the Canes game, so there were big expectations regarding a full clubroom to kick the season off - but with the weather doing its part to dampen enthusiasm and the all-conquering Canes playing at the Stadium, we were up against it.

Plus, there is always early season anxiety and uncertainty regarding how many of our players in 2024 would see any value in the Clubroom’s experience.

So, we prepared for a big crowd – but were tempering our expectations to avoid crushing disappointment.

The smiles on the faces of the members of the Management Committee grew as car after car rolled up the hill to fill the car park and the faithful headed up the drive as the rain fell and the Clubrooms filled.

By the time the meal was ready, the Clubrooms had a feeling of a bygone era – with the clubrooms full and humming.


Sincere thanks must go to the Ories players, supporters, and management for responding so positively to our invitation to join us for a meal – their presence, in great numbers, was absolutely appreciated.

The night progressed well, with the Warriors draw and the Canes win adding to the atmosphere.

On a final note, I want to highlight the extraordinary efforts of three people who contributed to the success of the Saturday night function.

I want to give a massive shout out to Matt Calvert and his hard-working daughter Ava and the mighty Tony O’Brien from the Pines:

  • Matt for providing the industrial sized BBQ that we used to cook for the masses and secondly to both Matt and Ava for cooking the kilos of protein that was consumed on the night, and
  • Tony O’Brien who rocked up with a splendid array of salads and potatoes, again in industrial proportions – his contribution turned a simple sausage sizzle into a fine dining experience for all present (well almost!).

So, two weeks into the season and I can report that the feeling around the Club is great.

I appreciate that there is a long way to go, and I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I can confirm that the Red Machine is starting to run a bit smoother – it’s not quite the roaring V8 of the past but with master mechanics Sean Horan and Lourdaiz Ah Chong working on it day and night, it is definitely starting to hum.


This weekend's action - 20 April 2024

Grade Opposition Location
Premier Men
Tawa
Evans Bay Park at 2.45pm
Premier 2 Men
Tawa
Kilbirnie Park 3 at 1pm
Colts
Tawa
Evans Bay Park at 1pm
Reserve 'Internationals'
OBU 'Righteous Bros'
Kelburn Park at 1pm
Under 85kg Red
Tawa
Hataitai Park at 2.45pm
Presidents 'MH Law Classics'
Wainuiomata
Mary Crowther at 2.45pm


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