Turbos charged up
Marist Under 9s ready for Festival of Rugby
Te Awamutu Marist Under 9 Turbos, coached by Glenn Morris, are buzzing with excitement leading into the Festival of Rugby in Taupo.
The boys get weighed in on Thursday and contest their first game on Friday, 11am kick off, against Waitakere City RC.
Each team gets to play a total of six games over three days. Games are 15 minutes each way for pool play and 20 each way for semis and finals.
Twelve of the Turbos’ tournament team are members of this season’s Te Awamutu Marist ninth grade Wolves side. The side also includes one of the Marist eighth and 10th graders.
Te Awamutu Marist Wolves ninth grade team have only lost three games in the last two years.
“We’ve pretty much kept training the whole season but we upped our trainings to twice a week after the last lot of school holidays in order to get the team super fit for two games a day,” Morris said.
“Everyone is eagerly awaiting this tournament to get under way.
“It’s going to be an awesome way to celebrate junior rugby in a fun, safe and exciting environment and a great chance to meet like-minded people from all over New Zealand and internationally.”
Morris said each team is given a buddy team for the tournament who they meet and basically buddy up with.
“For us this team is YMP from Gisborne. We play them second at 1.30pm on Friday. The kids are going to have a blast and really get submersed into rugby for three days.
“It’ll be a great way to wrap up another successful season and get a gauge on where we are compared to other Under 9 teams across the country.”
Morris said the team has done a lot of fundraising, including barbecues and selling firewood. It is grateful to sponsors who have contributed in numerous ways.