Christchurch hosts 3rd World Vintage Rugby Carnival

The third World Vintage Rugby Carnival gets under way in Christchurch this Sunday with over 700 players and their partners marching from the Bridge of Remembrance to Christ's College for the opening ceremony and welcome cocktail party.
Christchurch City Councillor Barry Corbett will welcome the 30 teams from 8 countries to Christchurch during an opening ceremony which will include a formal Maori welcome - his welcome remarks will be translated into Spanish and French. The Carnival kicks off on Monday at the Marist-Albion Rugby Club and subsequent games will be played on Wednesday and Friday. The week concludes with a formal dinner at the Wilding Tennis Centre. The Council is involved in the Carnival with various in-kind contributions as well as a cash contribution.
Two previous Vintage Rugby Carnivals have been staged in Limerick, Ireland (2004) and Buenos Aires, Argentina (2006). It provides an opportunity for players over 35 to relive past glories with their rugby mates from around the world.
And to mark the occasion, Christchurch City Council is acknowledging seven of the oldest participations in the Carnival with the presentation of the coffee table book Canterbury.
John Filsell, Unit Manager, Recreation & Sports with the Council, says the seven players are all over 70, and have been part of the Vintage Rugby Carnival for several years now. The players are:

• Tony Rogers, 82, Albion Allstars (NZ)
• Max Kidd, 82, Endeavour Hills Ratbags (Australia)
• Ian Anderson, 75, Creaky Ol’ Convicts (Norfolk Islands)
• Fred Schouw, 74, Citi Warriors (South Africa)
• Arthur Olwagen, 73, Union Bulldogs (South Africa)
• Rev. Pat Ward, 73, Marist Albion (NZ)
• Joe O’Mara, 70, The New York Vintage Whine (USA)