History of Golden OldiesFUN, FRIENDSHIP, FRATERNITY
How did all this madness start? A just question indeed! The "madness" referred to is no less than Golden Oldies Rugby.
It all started in 1978, when an expatriate Australian, Dr Dale Toohey, living in California was attending the Asian - Pacific rugby congress in Fiji. He had thoughts of expanding the game to accommodate the veterans of rugby (those over 35), so that they could continue to be active players with less chance of injury.
Dale Toohey, resident Professor of Physical Education at the University of southern California at Long beach, met with a long standing friend and rugby colleague, Tom Johnson from Auckland NZ. From those discussions the concept of Golden oldies Rugby was born. Their idea was to promote a "softer" version of the game so that injury would be lessened, and enjoyment enhanced.
Players from 35 to over 80 participate in the game, now played all around the world. The first tournament was played in Auckland in 1979. Twelve teams from New Zealand and one each from USA and Canada played. Such was the success of the venture, that another was planned for 1981 in Long Beach USA. Forty-six clubs from fourteen countries around the world participated. In just two years Golden Oldies Rugby had made such a dramatic impression on the world rugby fraternity that it was now included on world rugby programming.
Sydney was host city in 1983 with 115 teams from 14 countries. London was host in 1985 with 180 teams representing 22 countries. Players returned to Auckland in 1987 swelling the number of players to 4000. In 1989 Toronto, Canada welcomed 5000 aficionados to their great venue. Every 2 years Golden Oldies met at cities all around the world, including Perth 1991, Dublin 1993, Christchurch 1995, Vancouver 1997, Cape Town 1998, Adelaide 1999, Toulouse 2001 and Brisbane 2003.
The great success of the Golden Oldies movement is built around the spirit of Fun, Friendship and Fraternity.
Golden Oldies is the original movement and as such has carved its own niche in the sporting world. Grassroots members numbering over 20,000 ensure that the Festivals remain true to the sport, and International and National Representatives are appointed to oversee all developments. Each individual Festival also relies on the voluntary efforts of an Organising Committee to ensure that the spirit of the game is never compromised.
Each Festival provides a week of sport and associated activities and functions. Everything is arranged to create spectacularly memorable occasions. While each Festival is acclaimed to be the 'best yet' you can be sure that the next one will be even better! |
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