Are you over 35 and still silly enough to want to play rugby?

Collaroy’s Over 35 team (the GODs) is making it’s annual pillgramage to Forster for what is always a great weekend of rugby and the 3 F’s, fun, friendship and fraternity.

And if you’re not really up to playing then come along anyway, we always need more managers.

Depart Friday 13th October 2017, play Saturday 14th, return Sunday 15th.

2 nights accommodation at Tiona, breakfasts included – $125 each.

Always a great time, new players, tourists welcome.

Contact Bruce ([email protected]) if you are interested.

Relive last year’s tour below:

Friday 14 October 2016

The GODfather was the first to arrive at base camp at Tiona. This being the first time we had been forced to book 3 x cabins in lieu of the Big House (which has already been reserved for 2017 – deposit paid too), theGOD father went exploring our accommodation. He was aghast to find that although the cabins were advertised as sleeping 6 on the Tiona web site, each cabin had only one double and one single bed, so in total we only had beds for 9! Some quick negotiations with the Tiona staff arranged for another 5 mattresses to be brought over so that no spooning on double beds would be required.

Not long after Nigel and other GODS started to turn up with Blommie, Harro and Johnnie Mc being the last to arrive. A common area was established outside the middle cabin, as the GODS took up residence sitting leisurely in their chairs enjoying their refreshments and nibbles on the tour provisions that had been acquired.

An inspection of The Big House found that nobody was home so we decided to relocate the portable gas BBQ from the The Big House to our area. We did likewise with a couple of the big wheelie bins for rubbish. Nothing like making yourself at home.

A few GODS wandered over the sand hills for a swim whilst most continued to solve the world’s problems. Later there was dismay around a few of the older GODS when a rugby ball was produced and some began passing this amongst the other GODS trying to quietly relax. What the ****?

As tradition has it, around 6:30pm we arranged for the mini bus from the Reckie to pick us up at 7:00pm. Upon arrival at the Reckie the GODS immediately sought further refreshments. Some hung around in the bar around purchasing tickets in the meat tray raffles. It was at this point that some GODS befriended or were befriended by a local lady named Debbie, who would follow the GODS around for the rest of the tour.

Blommie and Johnnie Mc, came up trumps in the meat tray raffle. Some other GODS deemed this to be a most fortuitous windfall, so they saw no need to eat at the Reckie, rather having their eyes set on a late night BBQ back at Tiona.The other GODS found the food and beverages at the Reckie were up to their usual high standard.

After dinner the pool tables became centre stage for the annual GODS pool championship. Our Ger Nigel showed some outstanding skill to clean-up all comers.

Eventually the GODS returned home via the courtesy bus to Tiona to continue preparations for the tournament the next day. The meat trays were cooked on the BBQ providing dinner to its owners and a nice snack to others.

At this time Blommie fired up his brazier with pieces of pre-cut hardwood, to keep all the GODS warm and entertained – there’s nothing like an open fire.
As soon as some of the group drifted off to bed, the mysterious noise of buzz saws was again heard throughout around the cabins, some more than others.

Saturday 15 October 2016

Despite the previous night’s festivities, the GODS began to stir quite early on the Saturday morning. By the time the GODfather stirred, our GER had the bacon and eggs well underway on our BBQ.

A magnificent pre-match breakfast spread was enjoyed by all before we departed at 9:00 for the sporting fields of Forster under sunny blue skies with a cooling breeze.

From the kick-off in our first game the GODS were a bit patchy – not up to our usual standard but we improved throughout the day to end up playing some great rugby. Alistair, Mick Barry and Bill were amongst the best performers.

The arrival of Debbie mid way through the day to cheer us on only lifted our performance even further!

At each half time break and after game, the GER and his assistants provided bottled water and sound counsel to the GODS as to how they could improve aspects of our play.

Bill cruelled any chance he had of winning the GODS trophy when he was sent to the Sin Bin.

After our last game, GER and his growing number of assistants tallied their 3,2,1 points for each game to conclude that Alistair had won the GODS trophy for 2016 albeit in a tight contest with Mick B.

Alistair however had taken a painful hit to his ribs, so painful that he decided he best return to Sydney rather than stay another night in Tiona. John Robati and Bill also left to act as drivers/co-drivers on the trip home for Alistair, leaving the touring party at 8 members.

Despite the hit to our President, the GODs were again relieved to escape the day with no major injuries. With the conditions quite windy no one apart from the GODfather who had earlier come off with a torn quad trundled over to beach for a refreshing swim.

The GODS then attended the official presentation, exchanging t- shirts and stubby holders with the event hosts. After the formal presentations in the Mongrels clubhouse we departed for the Bellevue via the Fish Coop but we found that it had already closed! What could we do now! We were forced to venture into Forster main to buy some Kingies.

The Kingies were very tasty, washed down mostly by schooners of XXXX Gold, shandies and OLD. Once the prawns were gone, a few bets placed before the group set off to return to Tiona.

Upon our return to Tiona some GODS decided to introduce themselves to the tenants of The Big House. John Mc making friends with them and loaning them “our” BBQ for cooking their dinner.

At the Reckie again for dinner, the GODS relaxed after dinner again being joined by Debbie.

After the Reckie back at Tiona, Blommie again cranked up his brazier but failed to get through all his hardwood, but did manage to start a small grass fire.

As the GODS retired, the buzz saws were so noisy in his cabin that the GODfather dragged a couple of mattresses outside to sleep al fresco under the stars.

Sunday 16 October 2016

Sunday morning breakfast was again brilliantly coordinated by our GER. Blommie and Johnnie Mc had earlier retrieved our BBQ from The Big House. Blommie again enjoyed his breakfast of champions.

As tradition would have it once breakfast was consumed, the cabins were cleared and cars packed, most of the GODS eventually departed Tiona for Seal Rocks. Upon arrival at the small fishing village we stopped at the lookout adjacent to the shop for some refreshments. The windy conditions weren’t very favourable at the beach bbq tables and as such no remedial swimming was undertaken either.

The 2016 tour was again a great opportunity to spend a few days away with mates. It’s really not about the rugby. We hope all and more return in 2017.