2012 TENS
PHUKET TENS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

25th, 26th and 27th May 2012 - Venue: The Kata Group Sports Ground, Phuket

The 14th installment of the Heineken Phuket Tens is just around the corner. Once again we are expecting to enjoy an excellent weekend of social rugby with many of those same old faces travelling to the island. The Moorabbin Rams will be travelling again from Melbourne for their 10th consecutive year along with another former champion the Kriel Roosters from Mpumalanga in South Africa who are making their 4th appearance. Also in contention are another former champion attending in the shape of the Emirates Airlines Flying Muppets and we will also welcome 3 new teams from Australia and one from the UK.

Again we can formally announce Heineken as the tournament sponsors and, being associated with such a huge brand can only bring prestige to the affair, not to mention lots of beer. This years venue will be the Kata Group Sports Ground on Chao Fah Road West. All Municipal stadiums are in yuse for the National Youth Games which is why the change has been necessary.

Most importantly we can also confirm that Pat's ever faithful assistant Bubble Bee will return to thailand from her home in sri Lanka after some pathetic grovelling that took place whilst she was staying at my home recently. Even the kids got on their knees and Bee's contribution was secured.

Sadly last years champions The Royal Thai Police will not be defending their title again this year.

We have also secured sponsorship from RHINO to provide match balls and balls for the Phuket Lomas Junior Development Program.

Rhino Rugby Asia (RRA) is delighted to be the match and Phuket Lomas ball sponsor at the 2012 Phuket 10s. RRA was incorporated in late 2011 as the exclusive distributor of all Rhino Rugby scrummage machines, contact training equipment, balls, teamwear and synthetic turf in Asia ex-Japan. Earlier this year Rhino was confirmed as the equipment and commemorative ball provider for the British & Irish Lions 2013 tour to Australia. Rhino's highly acclaimed Collision King rucking machines are attracting growing interest in Asia as too its new concept contact bags and shields. All information on these and other products can be found at: http://www.rhinorugby.com/store/ (Nick – once RRA website is live that url needs to go here). Rhino prides itself not only on its leading, unique, up-to-date and practical training equipment solutions but also its emphasis on safety in training and play. We are always delighted to see how much the Asia Centre Foundation benefits from the generosity of all the visiting teams and players. We wish everyone attending the 2012 Phuket 10s another memorable weekend of rugby.

THE WEASEL CUP 2012

It will also be that time of year again when the local hero Phuket Viagarabonds take to the field to contest the Weasel Cup against their great friends and rivals The old Bangkok Bangers. Sadly there was no Weasel Cup game at this years bangkok Tens so the famous old trophy will be out for the first time in twelve months. Lets hope the game will be played in the spirit in which it was intended.

The Weasel Cup Winners - Phuket Viagrabonds

CHARITY BIKE RIDE
BANGKOK TO PHUKET -
SUCCESSFUL AGAIN
One thing you should learn from a 851 km bike ride is not to do it again. I said that last year and they didn't learn, so they have just done it again for a third time!!! Experinced veterans Pete Burgess, Jean Francois Klentzi, Bob Pearson, Patrick Bernard, Martin Hodgson and Richard folds were joined by Mr Heineken himself Andrew Lamont and legendary Welshman Trefor Day on a journey of over 850km sitting on a razor blade protected only by chunks of re-constituted vaseline.

Read about it here.

for further information and / or details as to how to make a contribution email bangersonthebike@gmail.com

Last years Presentation - Martin, Patrick, Jean-Francois and Richard F

2010, 2011 and 2012 Cyclists: Pete, Jean Francois and Bobby

phuketrugby@gmail.com

THE RONDA BUTLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND The 2011 Phuket International Rugby 10s raised close to 800,000 Baht for the Ronda Butler Memorial Fund. This equates to keeping 92 children on scholarships for the next year.

THE GREATEST VICTORY!!!
Pat Cotter, organiser of the Phuket International Tens and Roelein Muller of the Asia Centre Foundation have won the prestigious International Rugby Board 'SPIRIT OF RUGBY' Award for 2008.



Pat and Roeliein were flown over the UK by the IRB, taken to the England v South Africa game and then on Sunday attended the gala dinner at Old Billingsgate in London where Shane Williams received the Player of The Year Award, and the New Zealand All Blacks won Team Of The Year.