Gippsland Sports:
Gippsland Rugby League Weekly Update

GRL on the ground

All of the news for the week of 27/11/02

By Kiri Hiriaki - 2nd December 2002 - Back to News

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In Short-

• Gippsland Rugby League kicks off in 2003, with many new and exciting prospects on the schedule.

• Whispers have it that the annual City Vs Country may have Round 2 or Round 5 in at Olympic Park as curtain raiser to Melbourne storm fixture to play for selection to it’s State League squad with the Country Carnival held in Gippsland.

• The AGM of the League saw Jeff Hiriaki & Kiri Hiriaki, returned as President and Secretary respectively, Jason Johnson as the new and young Vice President, Debbie Doyle as Treasurer. Hiriaki was also awarded with Life Membership of the League.

• Gippsland Junior Rugby League formation sees Will Johnson & Julie Johnson as President and Secretary, Debbie Doyle as Treasurer and newly appointed Part Time Development Officer, Steve Kilpatrick.

• Jeff Hiriaki appointed as Coach with team management positions filled respectively with Vincent Hiriaki as Assistant Coach; Steve Kilpatrick as Manager; Reon Merrin & Jared Hiriaki as Strength & Conditioner.

• The AGM of the Melbourne Rugby League saw the appointment of Kiri Hiriaki on the Board and Hiriaki remains as one of the 6 Victorian Rugby League commissioners, which is fantastic for Gippsland.

In Detail -

Season 2003 looks to be a landmark year in Gippsland Rugby League as they re-enter Wildcats in the Melbourne Rugby League competition. With a fantastic performance by Wildcats last season, it is highly possible the squad may see them rise to the Premier division under the newly structured MRL competition. The new structure that was revamped recent will now see two separate divisions, Premier and First with a relegation system at the end of 2003 season. Under the new system, the two bottom teams of Premier Division will drop back to the First whereby the two top teams will step up the ladder. This also provides an equal base of teams with the possibility of two new teams from Melbourne entering the competition. Further discussions will take place to the final announcement of divisions before a draw is produced early in the New Year at the first MRL Division meeting under their new Board.

Mid February will see the re-established Country Carnival held here in Gippsland. The selection of a representative squad to play in the also re-established City Vs Country carnival to play at Olympic Park, curtain raiser to Melbourne Storm. A State squad will be selected from this match where GRL are excited at the prospect of more talented players coming to the fore. This has been benchmarked for either Round 2 (Storm Vs Penrith) or Round 5 (Storm Vs Sharks). More information will be provided as it comes to hand.

The Leagues AGM was held recently, and it was positive to see the League Committee fill all positions, which is 100% improvement on last year. Jeff Hiriaki & Kiri Hiriaki was returned as President and Secretary respectively, whilst we welcome young, Jason Johnson as the new Vice President/Registrar and Debbie Doyle as Treasurer. Kiri Hiriaki was also awarded Life Membership to the League. The new Exec committee will meet for the first time in early January for what promises to be a very exciting season. The Leagues first general meeting will hold with re-affiliated clubs Churchill Gladiators & Morwell Miners representatives the end of January.

The Gippsland Junior Rugby League committee was formed at the leagues AGM. Will Johnson & Julie Johnson also returned as President and Secretary respectively with Debbie Doyle as Treasurer. The appointment of Steve Kilpatrick as Part Time Development Officer for Gippsland will bring exciting programs to schools. President Hiriaki welcomes Kilpatrick, a long-standing member of rugby league as he brings to a wealth of experience. Kilpatrick is excited at the programs initiated by the Australian Rugby League Foundation, "Kids to Kangaroo" and the "Steps Program".

Finally, the Melbourne Rugby League had its AGM recently where Kiri Hiriaki was appointed to the Board that can only benefit Gippsland. Hiriaki also remains one of 6 Commissioners to the Victorian Rugby League Board that is once again viewed as a great benefit for Gippsland.

Yours sincerely

Kiri Hiriaki

GRL Secretary

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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