Tomarata RFC seniors have commenced training for the start of the 2012 rugby season and hope to improve on last seasons results. Despite beating both eventual finalists (Pipiwai and Waipu) in round-robin in last season’s Northland second division competition Tomarata failed to make the top four in the eleven team competition. The past couple of seasons have seen a gradual improvement by the Tomarata senior side, from where in 2010 they beat Southern RFC (Te Kopuru) for the first time ever, and last year - Waipu for the first time since the 1980′s, proving that on their day, Tomarata can match it with the more fancied clubs.Brian Stephens, a former New Lynn Stags rugby league coach with six Auckland championships at various levels to his credit, has been brought on board by the Tomarata RFC coaching team as the technical advisor. Brian was also an assistant coach in years gone by, for the Marist-Richmond Bartercard Cup league team. His strengths lie in advancing a players skill level, and replicating those skills on the playing field. He was also an ex Auckland Warriors talent scout. Brian will be assisting current coach Joe Harding in the Tomarata RFC coaching set-up, and will also be involved offering his knowledge with the junior teams, once their season gets underway in April. The Tomarata senior team will be managed again by Ray Grindlay. The first compeition game, though not confirmed, is expected to be Saturday 17 March.
Pre-season practices are Tuesday nights from 6.30pm at the clubrooms. Player enquiries to Joe Harding 021 0697-186, or Brian Stephens 4314-224.
The next monthly club meeting is on Tuesday 7 February from 7.30pm at the clubrooms.
Tomarata beating Waipu, July 2011 for the first time since the 1980's, something the senior team want to replicate again in 2012
