Birmingham based Bournville Rugby Club has announced a partnership agreement with Tauranga Sports Club from the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand.
The concept of a UK sister club was introduced to Tauranga by former player Mike Rogers of Inside Running. The arrangement is that each club will send players to the other club in their off seasons and further foster UK/Kiwi relations.
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Tauranga Sports Club is situated in the heart of Tauranga city and was founded in 1989. The club competes in the Baywide league (2007 and 2008 champions) and supplies numerous players to the Bay of Plenty NPC teams and has produced ex All Blacks, including Gary Braid and current Waikato Chiefs Super 14 prop; James McGougan.
Trevor Grainger, President of Tauranga Sports Club, comments, “For us, this presented an opportunity for our own players to be able to visit an English club with whom we have established links and expose them to different playing conditions. We also look forward to welcoming some younger players from Bournville as part of their player development process.”
Bournville R.F.C. plays in Midlands 1 following three successive years of promotion and has a strong history of recruiting southern hemisphere players in recent times. George Foley, Honorary Life President of Bournville added, “This is a fantastic and exciting initiative that opens up many possibilities for players to develop their potential and it is fitting that it comes as Bournville enter their Centenary season. This tie-up with Tauranga Sports has created a great deal of healthy interest amongst the Bournville players and the reciprocal arrangements promise a wealth of opportunities to enhance the standards of both clubs. I am confident that the relationship will evolve to be mutually beneficial.” |
Tauranga Sports Club
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For further information contact:-
Alistair Blacklaws (International Foreign Player Liaison Officer) Bournville R.F.C.
Trevor Grainger (President) Tauranga Sports Club
Iestyn Pratt (Press Officer) Bournville R.F.C. - 07843671321
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