Teachers take to the field in a good cause

Poverty Bay midfield back Mike Morrissey will play for the Tairawhiti side. Pictures by Paul Rickard

FORMER Poverty Bay, Ngati Porou East Coast and Bay of Plenty rugby players and a former National League footballer will team up to take on the Hawke’s Bay Role Models in Education at Rugby Park tomorrow night at 6pm. The concept — teachers and principals from across Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay strapping on boots and taking to the field — was initiated locally by former Bay players Glen Udall (Gisborne Intermediate principal) and Brendon Hart (Gis Int assistant principal).

“The original collaboration with local contributors to the teaching profession was instigated by Brendon and me back in 2013,” Udall said. “We saw it as a great way to connect with students and role model the meeting of challenges through a context we are passionate about — sport. It also offered up the opportunity to network with like-minded people and to exchange ideas around best practice in education.

“It turns out that teachers’ rugby teams were an iconic part of the education landscape back in the 1970s. We’re invigorating a revival of sorts. Tairawhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and Counties are up and running, and teams from Manawatu, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch are emerging.

“We travel to South Auckland to play Counties Manukau Men In Education in August. Waikato Men In Education, whom we played in 2014 and last year, are keen to play us again but we want to limit the number of games we play in a year. We’re no spring chickens.”

First 15 curtain-raiserUdall said that to give the occasion a real education focus on Friday night, a curtain-raiser would be held at 4.30pm between Campion College and Lytton High School first 15s.

“The 6pm game will be covered by Grassroots Rugby, with highlights aired on Sky Sport next week,” Udall said.

He said it would be great to play in Gisborne in front of 500-plus kids supporting their teachers.

“The forecast is for the weather to possibly clear in time for kick-off but, even if it doesn’t, dry vantage points are available in the John Heikell Stand. A food-and-drink stall will make for a great family atmosphere. Friday night is a celebration of education and an opportunity for contributors within education circles to engage in a game of rugby. Some of the personnel from both sides have played to a high level but this game also features teachers who have never played a competitive game of rugby.

'An average age of 42'“It will add intrigue to a potentially fascinating encounter. With the Tairawhiti team having an average age of 42 and a much smaller catchment of players to draw from, the favourites tag would probably have to sit with Hawke’s Bay.”

Earlier in the day, a powhiri at Gisborne Intermediate and a professional learning expo at the Mind Lab would be held.

“This is an important part of the package and consolidates the levels of collaboration that are becoming increasingly prevalent in education,” Udall said. “We’re all part of a system that is trying to maximise the potential of every learner. We need to be innovative around how we achieve this and this concept is a winner on so many levels.”