Forum Index

Don't know about anyone else but having trouble veiwing old player movement post.

Not trying to defend the Lions just thought I would tell it the way it is.
This will be our 6th year as a league club, we started with only a few guys from the church.
To be competitive and stay a prem club we had to recruit senior players and we will have to continue to do this untill our junior talent comes through to prem level.

2010 will be the 4th year we have had a junior club we had very strong teams 17's, 15's, 13's, and 11's last year but if you do the math we are still 2 years away from the major group of young developing players getting into prem's
have to be 18 to play.

We would love to have 80 years of history and players and famlies that are committed to the club but that will take us 80 years.

To gain credabilty as a club we need to win a premiership just about every league supporter who has posted about Lions has said so and I agree.

I have been directly involved in every contract the club has signed we have never offered any player $10,000

But every year because players know we recruit, we get a stream of players contacting us about possible contracts, to tell the truth most of the Linwood boys stay with Linwood and thats fair enough, but they do use our offer to beef up their own contracts. Linwood get business guys to sponsor players, I don't think it always goes through the club, but they always have a number on contract. Correct me if I'm wrong! I have copies of contracts from most clubs in town we ask the players to bring last years contract in writing.

I'm not knocking Linwood I personally think they are a great club, very succesful.

Every year we also aproach players who we believe would strenthen our team.

This year our recruiting has gone great we have pretty well signed every player we identified from last years comp we thought would complement the team.

Looking forward to a better year all the best to all the clubs for the season

*except kyle pauro

except Kyle Pauro what?

I know Celebration cop alot of criticism and I am sometimes one of them. But in reality they have done a great job and have been successful in their own right. I only wish Canterbury Rugby League had people who had the same drive and vision that Celebration do!

If you know some one with drive and vision (yourself?) get your club to vote them onto the board.

I do know people with drive and vision but CRL is like beating a dead horse.
There does need to be major changes to the constitution
Presently you could not make a real difference even if you tried.
Talk to the guys who have tried over the last 7 years

Maybe at the special meeting being organised there can be the sort of change that would make CRL the sort of organisation that would attractive to progressive people

I personally think it is sad that you have vented your frustrations about the CRFL given your position in the Church/Community/Lions/Canterbury Rugby League.

Does the constitution need too change because it doesn't help the Lions cause?

I fully respect your drive, don't fully respect your vison but like you Muzz.

Things must always change and evolve but the way the Lions go about things reflect arrogance, greed and self importance but thats just my opinion.

Thanks Soultrain I speak up because of my position in the church, community, Lions, and CRL
I'm not frustrated or venting.

To bring about significant change in any organisation you must bring about change from the top down. That's why s.p.a.r.c restructured NZRL from the top down

Most of my life for the last 30 years has involved, working with voluntary organisations and their constitutions some constitutions that have been effective and many that have been destructive or cap growth

Not to many league guys really read the constitution or analyse the effect it has on governance or on the promotion of the game.

The constitution doesn't just affect the Lions but all clubs and all league in Cant

I heard a preacher say one time "what do we have to do, to see the whole world go to hell"? answer nothing

Sitting back and saying nothing or doing nothing, to me is the greater sin.

CRL has had enough time to evolve into some thing great.

What it needs now is to change into some thing great and that just wont happen without people being empowered to bring about that change

Change the constitution and you can change the top

Hey soul I don't think you know my vision

governance is the issue!!

a general manager answers to the board, and does not sit on it.!

good point 2 cents

Very little player movement this year things seem settled will be interesting to see who turns up from rugby

Quite a few new/returning players have turned up on the Keas door step with others also enquiring but unable to transfer. Actually a few Lions players which is no suprise lol Great numbers down at training for both 18yrs and senior squads

Hey Murray has Tonga gone back to Riccarton

I can say that we have had an influx of players from both rugby and league clubs..

more to the point our incoming transfers are:

Joe Sipa
Dabid Gower
Setima Puavase

two out of three transfers are still in limbo but we don't foresee any problems.

is it true that celebration have almost three times the allocated transfer limit this year? seriously whose gonna police that law?? its ludicrous to think they can get away with that.

if its 3 in 3 out for me it should be 3 in 3 out for YOU!

regardless of who you know (or pay LOL!)

anyway this pre-season tournament should be awesome! looking foward to seeing the eagles in action, i watched a quarter of there trial match against riccaton, halves were impressive! looks like they have an impressive line up of young talent coming through!

Hi dr Tonga never actually signed for us just came over for a few trainings with Simon, he needs surgery on his knee, he may struggle this year.

Ric Bunga another one to jump on the band wagon.

Check with CRL to see how many transfers we have had.
3 in and 3 out relates to local clubs but there is unlimited potential to recruit outside the district. We have recruited several from Auckland, Rarotonga, Australia, and I think 2 from local clubs.

We have recruited from rugby and look like fielding 2 18 year old teams this year, so next year Prem and reserve will have really good influx of players.

Ric check with Barry Ball you will find Celebration have been very supportive of Sydenham club and have a good relationship with you guys, I hope that can continue???

Yes Ric, I also saw the Aranui V Ricc Trial, Thought it was good.

1/2s Looked good early on and talk of preseason training for some boys which showed.

A team to possibly watch this year.

m.w

looks like you have been recruiting alot!!!

Putting your team up there on a pedestal. Very dangerous this early on, Mentally............ for a team that hasnt performed in the past but come with great expectations.

The added bonus of "international based" players even spices it up more.

Cant wait to see the new "Lions".

Im happy to put my money where my mouth is, or tighthing.

$1.00 $US for your cause.

As for 3 in-3 out.....i thought that applied only to inter-club transfers?


So in theory celebration can transfer in as many people as they like if they come from rugger, or outside canterbury.

Hey Murray,
Who did you manage to sign from Auckland?

Im not one to get into polictics as such, but looks like your team hs good some good things in the pipelines, hopefully they will reward the Lions community come end of the season.

Is Kasi back for another season?

GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS DOWN IN CHCH....

I love this forum as it dominated by Chch crowd who are very passionate about their various club teams etc

As for provincial stuff, Auckland to take it out in 2010!!!! haha last seasons game was very painful HAHA

like your positive thinking league23 about taking it out.

canterbury will make it a double.

With ease ^^

Maaaaate, i wasint jumping on the bandwagon, but i think you avoided the fact? you talked about an influx of players from rugby and international-cross province etc but what about players from other premier sides?

you guys seem to have a different team every year almost, its quite fitting you guys are the 'lions' cos you seem to made up of a players from each club kind of like the british 'lions'..

you should know you cant do the things you do and not expect people to have an opinion, at the end of the day you've pretty much walked in and disrupted the tradition of the game in canterbury before celebration, players were never offered cars and large sums of money in return for loyalty they were offered glory and a chance to make history and i dont nessacarily think thats so bad i just wonder what a world without your club would be like sometimes.

on the flipside i think its awesome what you guys are doing for the kids i met a young fulla from invercargill in your league academy, he had some big dreams! and you guys are probably the only club in chch that can fullfill them.

Goodluck for the season.

2 cents never once did I put our team on a pedestal just saying we worked hard and recruited.

League 23 Jaye Pukepuke came down last year and has been great. Jason Tau warriors U20 08 season had shoulder reconstruction last year. My wife is Rarotongan and we have contact with academy there so he came through that contact. Kasi still on board

Ric Bunga we have a solid cor of players that have been with us for 3 - 6 years and we try to recruit players who will help our weak areas. 3 in 3 out has applied to us every year like all clubs. There has always been contracts in CRL competition
Sydenham paid players in 1st Div last year.
I personally gave a car to Ula not for loyalty but because the guy needed a ride, he has a partner and young child, was looking for work, I had a spare car.
Its never been just about glory and making history

People seem to struggle with our approach to the game but rugby league has always been a professional sport, why not lift the standards a bit.
Wise man said to me rugby was amateur sport run by professionals and league was a professional sport run by amateurs

Player movement 2010 seems to be same as last year, most movement to Aussie.

Anyone interested in trying to field a Queensland cup team based in ChCh

Like Auckland Vulcans in NSW comp

Would provide week in week out professional comp for guys who see league as a career choice

Sounds like a viable concept would hav 2 hav good sponsorship though and would the players come from all clubs or just 1???????

heard this talk a few years back about entering a team into the Bartercard... and also again not so long ago with entering a team into the Fox....

for this to happen all clubs have to be on board for it,Its something in chch league that annoys me that if an initiative doesnt come out of thier own camp then people wont want to run with it, I feel we would field a very strong team in that comp why the fuk not?? if our guys were exposed to the same sort of intensity that the NSW cup boys were then we would be jus as good or even better

Qld cup is 3rd hardest comp in world league.

Harder than NSW cup from all accounts. You see how the vulcans do in that.

The hardest part about it is logistically. It was a struggle for the bulls to go up to auckland and win. how do you think a canterbury team would go in Qld cup?

in a few years play in the Q cup but grind our bones in the NSW for starters.

IMO we would fare quite well given players and management were equal footing for resources time and of course pay,which onece again in my opinion is a big part of a players committment.

The Queensland Cup is a big step up from the old Bartercard Cup like Coyoye said. The Vulcans have access to a far greater player pool, facilities, funds etc. They can barely crack finals footy. Alot would have to change down here in terms of resources. The idea sounds good but would definitely be alot of work.

Roy Leoni (Otago) heading to the Lions apparently

Im pretty sure he played for otago in that south island thing we had a few years back.

Wasnt his old man coach? Plays 6 doesnt he?

We looked into Fox memorial but It all got shut down Auckland seemed keen then we just came to a halt, I don't know if NZRL stepped in or what.

If we could get a Q cup team it would have to be supported by all clubs and i think it would be good to link with NRL club to get help with coaching, and feeder relationship. I have talked with a couple of guys at Storm, thinking of flying over to meet with club to talk further.

Good to see John Lima back from Aus for weekend, he's looking good a lot of upper body work gone on, he's a big unit.

Will be good to see him on TV this year Prop!

All the best John do us proud

But havent Storm already got a deal with Norths in the Queensland cup?

I fail to see what they would get out of it.

To be honest if you think you can compete in the Queensland cup then you are dreaming.

From where I see it we might(note might) have the talent to compete, but without a roster based in Queensland full time its going to be impossible.

Even if you got funding(1m plus for Vulcans apparently), the logistics of travelling 5+ hours after work on friday, playing and coming back to train etc would be horrendous. Then you have to get the boys in a frame of mind to compete on the day after the travel.

As i said, it was difficult enough to do it in Bartercard. The travel is one aspect, but getting up to compete AFTER the travel headaches is the biggest issue.



But as they say, everything starts from an idea. Im not trying to knock celebration or you murray just trying to inject a dose of reality.

Cheers

Storm reserves are based in melbourne this year and are playing in the NSW cup comp.

Qcup is a very strong competition and sorry to say but our local boys would get smoked. It would be like amauters playing professionals as many are on contracts full/part.

Although people may not enjoy hearing this when it comes to the 2 league comps (CRL and Qcup) we are worlds apart. Since arriving here i have really come to appreciate the amount of effort that is put into RL by officials, staff and most of all the players. In 2009 i watched many of the Sunny Coast Eagles (champions 2009) traing sessions and many were brutual as has been 2010s. The coachg her is 1st class and the biggest difference in my opinion is Attitude. They love thier footy and are passionate and work very very hard at it to get it right.
There is no club at home that would even get close to the clubs over here. TrainerGB your club is invative and you have many passionate people at the hornets but seriously if you multiply the hornets by 3/4 you are only then in the vacinity, just.

It isn't any wonder that our best players struggle to make it here ie Bambi, JJ Smith, Johnny Aranga all excellent players but find it tough to crack it over here. There is that many good players here, thats the truth although i struggle to say that.

So before we think about th Q Cup how about we get our own back yard in order run a good quality comp at home and develop quality players and more importantly get more numbers especially kids playing our great game. Stop the bickering and hidden agendas and only then could i see this thread being taken serious.

Just my opinion!!! which is one of the few things that is worth the same over here as at home, stuff all.

yeah agreed.... Ive seen the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls set up and yes... streaks ahead...

I think giving it a nudge in the akl comp somehow first, getting used to logistics, performance etc... playing every 2nd week in Akl then flying a team down every other week.... playing club prems games as curtain raisers etc... then moving from there would be a great idea.....

I think all clubs would get behind it.... everyone is all for progressing their players etc..... but I have a feeling you would need the CRFL permission and approval as the players are signed to them??? Would the CRFL back this idea??? Would the NZRL???

Heard from a source that Roy Leoni(otago) is heading to Lions, has returned from playing and coaching rugby league and rugby in the USA, was member of NZ Uni side in the 08 World Cup where he also made the World 13. Former Parra Eels junior played alongside the likes of Wade Mckinnon and Willie Tonga.

Be interesting to see how he goes in ChCh

i watched a few q-cup games when i was in brisbane and nui was living with me and playing for souths logan magpies.

i can tell you right now, if the lions were to put a team in they would get flogged every week.

so yeah, goodluck with that.

dreams are free.

Some good points and I'm sure QL cup far superior to our comp but if you get a dream and plan and prepare and execute why not. 5 - 6 years

How many people said the Warriors wouldn't work and how many said Lions wouldn't work, but we are heading for good growth again this year.

Team would not be made up of only NZ players but based in ChCh
Would have to be at least semi professional, maybe if we raised 2 mil you could have players work 3 days and subsidise rest so they make around $50,000 a year

Storm would be interested another feeder, something happened to relationship with Q cup team they had.
Melbourne not a very strong league area and Storm recruit most of their players out of state

Don't know if CRL would have to give permission, can't see why they wouldn't give permission

they wouldnt jhave to give permission I hear a rumour that CRFL are gonna dissolve??

I agree with murray on this one,yes we may get flogged but we will learn,the team would grow and not stand in one place.

if Auckland can do it canterbury can too we may get an influx of interest from others if there was this kind of incentive

"Never let go of the inner child,for it is this that will keep dreams alive and sometimes make them come true"

need a trainer?

What is needed in this city is a NRL team....

With the carrot for a Sydney based club to move, of 8 million
why don't the council and V-Base (AMI Stadium) put a deal together to attract an NRL side to Christchurch....

The perfect fit would be the Canterbury Bulldogs, but they have a fairly good following, so it would more than likely have to be a side like Cronulla, who are struggling financially.
One of those clubs will go soon, and we have to be ready to pick up the pieces.

This will be the only way league will ever be strong in this city, we need a flag ship as Auckland do with the Warriors.

This way we will have a under 20's side straight away to feed our young guys into, still doesn't do much for the players over that age but they are not the future.

Imagine having the Crusaders play Saturday night and the Canterbury Sharks play Sunday arvo.............

The Tigers have attracted 17000+ people every time they played at AMI, and the conditions were never great.

If the efforts for a bussiness plan was going to be put into a Q.cup side, I would think the time and effort would be better put into the possibility of attracting an NRL side to our shores.

This would create pathways for Players, coaches, trainers, administrators etc etc.....

I was going to make a comment about the racecourse hotel, but better left for another thread........

G.B, you are first cab of the rank, for Trainer of the Canterbury Sharks......

But you have to create the logo for the club......

hahahaha nice....

I see your point... look at how the Storm have introduced league into Melbourne etc... The Cowboys in the far north Qld.... the game is slowly growing... as it would here in Canterbury... players from all over would travel to either Auckland or Christchurch to "give it a crack"

The league community down here is pretty passionate but I think there are actually ALOT more supporters of this game then we realise... check out the touch fields around the city... league shorts are everywhere!!!

If there was a "team" that people can call their own, it would be pretty awesome...

Isnt there talk of one of the NRL teams moving up the central coast of NSW to Gosford or somewhere? Or the North Sydney Bears are trying to get back in the comp etc???

I am currently in Auckland playing for the Vulcans. I have experienced first hand the quality level of football and commitment it takes to be involved in these semi professional enviroments. This is the 4th year an Auckland based team has competed in the NSW Cup and the previous 3 seasons they have finished in the bottom 3. We are rebuilding this year and have goals to make the top 8. These goals will be hard to reach without the backing of the local clubs, the money to recruit and contract Aussie based and NZ based players and the necessary training fecilities including Fields, gym and club on the same ground. At the moment Auckland has neither behind them and are taking the hard road in building something from nothing.

The Vulcans cannot field their best possible team because players are choosing to play club level simply for the money which the vulcans cannot compete with. The Fox is a strong competition and I think Canterbury could field at least four strong teams that would compete well however in order to compete in a semi professional competition overseas they will need the money and the right people managing it to put everything else into place.

The salary caps for QLD Cup and NSW Cup teams are $350,000 where Toyota Cup teams are $250,000. Vulcans do not have the money to recruit players with a salary cap which is reflected on their past results. The new coaching staff, management and players are doing a great job in rebuilding with what they have to work with but their current financial situation has started the teams season off on the back foot which at this level no team can afford to do.

My advice to someone trying to get a brand new franchise off the ground would be to learn from others mistakes and to not even consider it until you have the financial backing. Backing from your local clubs will also go a long way. In saying that I think the Vulcans have the right mix of guys this year to achieve their goals and will need to show a lot of character to compete while everything else is against them. Its been done before and we can do it again.

If yous do make plans to get this off the ground then I know a fullback who will be perfect for the job haha.

The NRL club option would be great but unlikely for Auz club to come over and create a larger support base, unless they would re brand and become the "Bulls"
The crowd numbers would have to be week in week out, how many to warriors games last year?

Kakarott some really good stuff there, I think Vulcan's need to look at their finance package for players, if its more beneficial to play Fox M with less commitment some thing wrong there, maybe warriors not putting in enough financial support to help their reserve grade team.

I think a lot of clubs don't realise how important financial resources are and in today's environment players, many with families struggle to survive financially, so playing league is a huge sacrifice for their families, "unless you are a school teacher and run an academy, just kidding"
I think I may have tried to get that full back once before??

go with this option

If cele are willing to put the money down where other clubs arent then why the fuk not,OR all clubs put in to get thier players looked at as well a "joint venture" (oh my goodness clubs helping out other clubs...the blasphemy)

Go for it those wit the coin and see how it will improve league here...IMO it will do wonders

Personally I think you should focus more on your sermons Murray then trying to take personal digs at me on this forum. Nice one...I was a student 3 years ago (4 year study) and also have a young family so I don't know what you are trying to get at? I'm on no pastor or bishop's salary my friend.

Oops! Just kidding

Hey Keas19:
You must be getting a complex, my mate runs SENZ academy Auckland worked with Vulcan boys and follows forum Hobbsy. School teacher, we set up academy in Raro with Kevin Iro together.

I'll take a dig at you next week and you can re post your last two posts.

Made my night

b.lima I think you talk a lot of sense enjoy your posts

I think it would do wonders and at some point to advance league in Cant we have to be able to put local club loyalties aside and focus on the bigger picture.

Qcup team
FoxM team
NSW team

Would have to be a representative side and would have to recruit overseas, Warriors have targeted Aussie players to build strength

Hey Murray didnt you also try and buy AAkeas19 and got told where tio go

Australia is far more advanced than us at every facet of the game. NZ is Behind.

Its becasue we promote "Give everyone a turn" Too P.C

We need to promote "how to win" to all our players. and if we dont win get pissed off.

Winning is a culture and many teams who win all the time, dont know how to lose.! its infectious.

Yeah I bet I made your night Murray. No complex and no re-posting happening. I just know that you (Lions) have been trying to get into Aranui High School for years so it wouldn't suprise me if that comment was directed at me. I've already upset you on here cos I'm not promoting your organisation Nice way to cover your back .

Yes Doc, I've had a couple of phone calls in last couple of years from Corey. I guess I don't see myself dressed in purple

Photos are decieving Andrew

To right doc, Andrew would be an asset to any club in the city, quality guy quality player/coach.

I think we talked about him for several years not sure if I ever approach him, but I believe Corey has.

AAKeas we were approached by the head master after Aranui academy was gutted out by you know who, we were asked if we could help school and we were keen but things went a different direction.

We have a strong presence in Aranui school and community through 412 youth work, and Linwood high, and Shirley high

What we really want is a self funded academy so we don't have to jump through all the funding hoops, and we want to have input from Storm maybe a NRL retired or emerging coach

Oh ok. I guess I've been ill informed here at school in regards to the Lions "encroachment."

Yip, the lions are well represented here at school with many youngsters playing down the road and attending the youth service. I've seen first hand some students turn their lives around so I commend you for your work with our youth.

Aranui High have had some strong connections with both the Broncos and the Storm through Johnny. Watch this space...