No. 1, 20 March 2020

Dear

We are two days away from the scheduled start of the rugby season, but with the Covid-19 virus impacting communities worldwide, rugby is not immune. In the interests of players, coaches and supporters, the start of the club season has been delayed. Our usual 'start of season newsletter' now contains they key information you need to know following these announcements...

All club games and contact training postponed

On directive from Wellington Rugby, all club rugby has been postponed. The rescheduled start date is currently Saturday 18 April, with contact training to resume from Monday 13 April.

Players should contact their coaches/managers for any further questions.

Clubrooms closed while games are postponed

Aligning with public health messages around 'social distancing' the clubrooms will not open as planned on 21 March. They will remained closed until games resume. We will communicate on our website and social media when they will reopen.

50th Jubilee Celebrations have been postponed

We regret to advise of our decision to postpone our 50th Jubilee celebrations scheduled for Queens Birthday; the events will be moved to 2021. We wish to provide certainty to those who are making travel arrangements for that weekend and for our own preparations. A new date will be communicated as soon as possible. If you have already paid for the planned Jubilee Dinner and would like a refund, please contact us. Alternatively, any bookings already paid will carry forward and hold your place.

Presuming that club rugby has resumed by Queens Birthday 2020, club members will be warmly welcomed to our clubrooms to celebrate Marist St Pats in a simpler capacity.

Tim Donoghue's book documenting 50 years of Marist St Pats rugby will still be published in 2020, most likely by the end of April. We will share more about the launch and how to purchase in due course.

Support Marist St Pats as a financial member

As you will appreciate, Marist St Pats relies on subscriptions and sponsors to maintain our operations. Many of the clubs expenses come at the start of the season as we prepare our teams and facilities for the season ahead.

If you are in a position to contribute your annual subscription, we would greatly appreciate you signing up and paying your subs now. We hold great hope that rugby will resume in some capacity in 2020. Become a financial member.

Follow Ministry of Health advice

We encourage all club members to follow advice from the Ministry of Health.

Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues.
Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food with sick people.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you have any symptoms and have been to any countries or territories of concern or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19.

Check in on your fellow club members

There are members of our club family who will need additional support as our community takes measures to fight this pandemic.

Where it is safe to do so, take the opportunity reach out to those who might need some assistance.

With that information shared, lets turn to some of the other news we had planned to share with you...

New merchandise available

A special range of merchandise has been designed for our 50th year. This is now available to purchase so get your order in to look sharp season... >>>

Meet some of our new players

Over the past few days on our social media we've been sharing interviews with new players Matt Dobbyn, Sagele Aukusitino and Ryan Dafel. If you missed them, you can view them here... >>>

Clubrooms getting a makeover

Some dedicated club members have been preparing the clubrooms for the year ahead, including significant renovations to the bar. Big thanks to all who have been involved in this work to get the place looking great over the summer... >>>

Aukusitino brothers light up final preseason match

Brothers Sefo and Sagele Aukusitino were in dynamic form against Oriental-Rongotai in last Saturday's preseason match. Between them they scored four tries, including this collaboration... Watch the video here...

Around the traps:

Upcoming Junior rugby registration events have been postponed, families can still register online... We are still welcoming new players who want to play competitively or socially, particularly Under 21 players, get in touch if you know someone who would like to play... Monica Tagaoi has recovered from last seasons injury and attended a Black Ferns camp this month... Congratulations to Tom Martin, Tyrone Thompson and Aidan Morgan who have participated in the recent New Zealand Under 20s camp... Billy Proctor and Naitoa Ah Kuoi have seen early action for the Hurricanes and Chiefs in Super Rugby...

Marist St Pats continues to receive generous sponsorship from our Shamrock Club members, please support them wherever you can!

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