Joe - What Golden Oldies is all about!

Joe Wambold

Dear friends:

My name is Joe Wambold; I played for the Traverse Bay Blues Rugby Club from Traverse City Michigan, which is about 200 miles northwest of Detroit, in one of the most beautiful parts of Michigan.

On Wednesday of the Golden Oldies Festival we played at the Petone Rugby Football pitches. I don't recall who we played but it was a split team just like us, we had teamed up with a club from Ireland. After checking out all the colours of uniforms it was decided that the Ireland club team up with one of the teams from NZ and we would team up with the other one.

No problem, what different does it make who you play with, just blow the whistle and get started. As you all remember the day of games were lovely, blue skies with temps in the mid 60's (high teens) just perfect for a brisk game of rugby.

I remember our team kicking off, racing down the field where we were able to stonewall our opponents with superior athletic ability and ball handling skills. The Traverse Bay Blues were able to keep pressure on our foes. The tries started to came easy. As for myself, keeping in great shape biking during the summer months here in Michigan, I was able to stride up and down the field virtually untouched, what a great feeling that was. Just like yesteryear when I used to be able to control the flow of the match. Even though we don't keep score of these games I know we got our asses kicked again. Just like we do everytime we play a team from NZ.
But we had a great time, breaking sweat, running on a beautiful green pitch, handling a rugby ball and hudding up with mates I've known for over 30 years, how can anyone lose!!!!

After and match and shower it was off to the Petone Club House, now you have to remember our team is from the US where very few teams have a place to shower let alone an unbelievable club house with a bar. And what a club house Petone has. A big bar area with all the history of the club, then you head out back to the training room which they were able to transform into an outstanding party room for the festival.

This is why I come to the Golden Oldies Festival "The after the games parties". This is where you can meet some of the greatest people in the world. Guys like Dave and Wayne, people that want to know, why you choose rugby, how long have you been playing, what kind of community do you live in, and of course family questions. I cannot think of a better way to meet people than with a cold Tui or DB, after a stimulating match with the adrenalin still flowing.

I must say the lads at Petone had things set up sweet, a one man band playing great tunes that were easy to get that one good leg working on the dance floor. The food was good and not too long of a line for the cold ones. As I moved from the bar to the party room I lost my team-mates as they all headed back to the hotel, which is a mystery to me why they do that.

This is why I may have invited myself to your table. I'm not sure how many tables I invited myself too, but I do know I missed the last bus back to the hotel. Which as I have found out over the years it's NOT a PROBLEM missing the last bus. Cause you know what, now you get a chance to meet more of the players from the host club, as they all seek to find you a way back to the hotel. And sure enough "No Worries" one of the younger lads would be driving right pass the James Cook Hotel on the way to his home.

So in ending I would again like to thank Wayne, Dave and the rest of the Petone lads for opening up their club, their hearts, and their arms to me and the rest of the players during the Golden Oldies Rugby fest.

There is only one thing you have to worry about now. I have your email address so when Jeannine and I head back to your beautiful country I will be getting in contract with you.

Your friend thru Rugby
Joe and Jeannine.

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