NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2023 Happy New Year Members Its official 2023 has arrived around the World. Festive celebrations are now coming to an end with decorations being stored away for another year. Hopefully you all had time to relax and spend time with family and friends to make memories to store away in the memory banks, or if the memory banks are full, took plenty of photos to look back on in the future. Of course with the holiday planning coming to a conclusion, softball will then take precedence in your minds. It's about to begin for the second half of the season. Wishing all the representative players who are travelling to their respective National Tournaments all the best. Safe travelling and enjoyment on the diamonds. Wishing you all a Happy New Year with best wishes for 2023.  |
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50 CLUB - The 50 Club's last draw was on Friday 9th December 22. The Club has now taken a break until February 2023, with first draw for 2023 on Friday February 3rd. If you are a member you will be contacted shortly to ascertain if you wish to continue with your support. Any new interested parties will be welcomed. If you would like to be part of the “50 Club” please contact Club Administrator - ramblerssoftball@xtra.co.nz. For just $20 per month you could be in the weekly Friday night draw for 5 meat packs. For your information - There were 210 draws during the year with both John Dean and Bruce Whelan winning 9 meat packs each. Sadly there were three unsuccesful members whose numbers were not drawn out of the barrel - Bevan Hunt, Joe Mouton and “mwah” - we all won the booby prize - BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR voucher. ********************************************************************** |
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BLAST FROM THE PAST Premier Mens team from the 1980's.. Check them out! |
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SPOTLIGHT ON --------- THE NUKUNUKU COUPLE January 2023 – a new year and a new concept - break away from the individual spotlight to a spotlight on a couple. Is it a marriage made in heaven or on the softball diamond? Nathan Nukunuku and Katrina Stockford were married on 12th December 2012 – 12.12.12 on the beach in Otaki. The 12.12.12 date of marriage is significant as both Katrina and Nathan play in jersey #12 for their softball club teams, as well as Representatives and New Zealand teams. Nathan was born in Hastings, Hawkes Bay, moving to Auckland with the whanau in 1987 whilst Katrina was born in Levin moving to Auckland in 2011. Nathan attended Papatoetoe High then onto St Peters College where he played and captained both the First XV and softball teams while Katrina attended Horowhenua College, before studying at WelTec. Nicknames – Nathan – Nate-Dog Katrina – Trina or Stocky Both are utility infielders with great batting prowess. They have led very similar lives on the softball diamonds with Nathan beginning his foray on the international scene as a member of the NZ Junior Black Sox to attend the World Championships in St Johns Newfoundland in 1997, where they medalled with a silver. Nathan was then selected in the Black Sox team in 1998 to travel to Japan where he celebrated his 18th birthday. He spent the next 21 years representing New Zealand on the diamond attending 7 Mens World Championships, collecting 4 Gold and 1 further silver medal, before he retired from New Zealand playing duties in 2019 after the World Championships in Czech Republic. Nathan captained the Black Sox to two World Championships in Whitehorse Canada and Prague Czech Republic. During his 21 years he travelled to Botswana, Canada, USA, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Samoa, Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands seeing the world thorough softball engagements. Katrina commenced her NZ representative duties in 2001 playing for Under 16s travelling to Sydney, then selected for White Sox in 2005, with first World Championship in 2006 in Beijing China. During this period of time was also selected to play for the Junior White Sox in 2007 for the Worlds in Enschede, The Netherlands. 2010 Katrina travelled to Venezuela with the White Sox to attend the World Championship, Haarlem Netherlands in 2014 and Surrey, Vancouver in 2016 Trina has played Club softball both in Italy and the Netherlands. After a time away from Softball NZ duties to have a family, Katrina is back in the Black uniform having just returned from a trip to Australia with the NZ squad. On the domestic scene both currently play for Mt Albert Ramblers Premiers, this season seeing them as Player-Coaches for their respective teams. Prior to playing for Ramblers, Nathan commenced his playing career with Flaxmere in Hastings, then Manurewa Marlins, before moving to Auckland Marist, Metro and then to Ramblers. Whilst playing for Marist, he also was a loan player for Pakuranga Pacers Premier men, who were coached by his sister Teena and Nicky Woon. Katrina has played Club softball for Te Aroha plus both in Italy and the Netherlands. Both have represented Auckland for a number of years, with Nathan commencing playing from Under 12s up through all the grades to Premiers, also taking on the role of Player Coach for the NFC Men’s team. The accolades are too numerous to mention, however most memorable was Nathan being awarded Domestic Coach of the Year in 2021 and named as one of the top 30 most influential Maori Sports stars of the past 30 years. Was selected ass Player representative for WBSC in 2017. We wish them both further successes in their future ventures.
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CONGRATULATIONS CORNER TO Zoe Tolhopf and Maddix Rice on their recent engagement annoucement. A joint celebration for Ramblers Premier men and Womens teams. The Club joins in congratulating you both and wish you all the best for the future. x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x- TO ASA Representatives selected to take part in National Tournaments later this month and February. Under 15 Girls North Island Championship at Akina Park Hastings January 24 +25th. Jessie Jackson and Elijah Blackall North Island Championships at Resthills Hamilton February 4th and 5th. Under 13 Boys Team Kikorangi - Sam Thompson and Alex Jackson with Lennon King named as Home Reserve Under 13 Girls Team Kikorangi - Coach Basil Rameka Summer Hemara - Georgia Thompson and Valmalani McDonald +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ TO Aaron Thompson congratulations on both of your children selected to represent Auckland this season. ‘’''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' TO all the Junior and Senior Players of the Month, that received their awards at ceremonies held in December. Juniors - U6 Tigers - Leo Hayhow U6 Lions - Levi Cobb U8 Sharks - Somerset Haysmith U10 Tigers - Isla lucas U10 Sharks - Freddie Powers U11 - Luka Tolich U13 Girls - Valmalani McDonald U13 Boys - Ethan Andrews U15 Girls - Ally Kaleopa U15 Boys - Jessie jackson U17 Boys - Tyler Twigden Seniors - U19 Boys - Kyle Roberts Gentlemen of Ramblers - Carl Jackson Justice League - Nicole Middleton Cruisers - Sarah Jarvis Reserve Women - Trelisse Chappell Reserve Men - Blake Wardrope Premier Women - Ilaria Cacciamani Premier Men - Floyd Nola <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> TO Saane Tauri - for the reported “sensational” Christmas Dinner, enjoyed by many at the Clubrooms. A great way to end the first half of the softball season and celebrate Christmas. Congratulations on your efforts. |
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Rock Chote Classic - was cancelled due to lack of players to fill teams. Hope for better success next season. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bev Chote Classic - to take place at Warren Freer. Friday 24th to 26th February. Details will be updated on Facebook and in next months Newsletter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECOMMENCEMENT COMPETITION GAMES T-ball recommence 11th February Under 15 - Under 11 recommence 14th January Under 17 Boys recommence 13th January Under 19 Boys - recommence 18th January Division Men an1 Women - recommence 14th January Reserve Women - recommence 16th January Premier Men + Women - Reserve men - recommence 14th January Check out Whats On a Ramblers on Facebook or Full draw on Ramblers website, for game times and venues. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
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Thanks to the Clubs “new” Sponsors. Cassidy Construction The Golf Warehouse The Thompson Family. |
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