International Defence Rugby Competition

www.idrc2011.com

The International Defence Rugby Competition 2011 is a tremendous way to celebrate the rich history of Rugby Union that exists within many of the world's defence forces.   The Australian Defence Force is proud to be hosting this inaugural event in Canberra and Sydney and, in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force, in Auckland.

Twelve teams will be contesting the inaugural competition including Tonga Defence Services (TDS), China - People's Liberation Army (PLA), Australian Defence Force (ASRU), Royal Navy (RN), Republic of South Africa (SANDF), Australian Federal Police (AFP), Royal Air Force (RAF) and the New Zealand Defence Force.

There is a very strong connection between the ADF and the Randwick Rugby Club not least Randwick Hall of Fame legend Bob Dwyer is the Patron of the RMC Duntroon Rugby Club. The following Randwick players have been named in the initial Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU) squad:

Petty Officer Jason 'Harro' Harrington (Captain)
Sergeant Ben Jones (Vice Captain)
Officer Cadet Tony Luxford
Able Seaman Daniel 'Robbo' Robertson'
Able Seaman Tait O'Sullivan
Sapper Shaun 'Richo' Richardson
Petty Officer Damien 'Tank' Tanaka
Captain Trent 'Bilko' Beilken
Trooper Isaac Harris

and,

Seaman Bryson Madigan (a reserve for the squad).

Captain DJ Cahill (Head Coach)
Sergeant Gav Whiteside (lead analyst)

Additionally, the Australian Services Rugby Union has been and is being assisted in its preparation by such Randwick luminaries as:

Mark Giacheri, David Knox, Steve Hoiles and Owen Finegan.

Head Coach of the Randwick Club, Craig Morrison, has also provided support, including supporting the concept of a Randwick Barbarians team to play the New Zealand Defence Force side at 3pm on Wednesday 28 September at Victoria Barracks Paddington. All interested Randwick supporters are invited to attend this fixture, which will include the playing of the respective national anthems by the Australian Army Band.

It also couldn't pass without mentioning the great support provided by ASRU's 'unofficial' 'patron-at-large' - Jeffrey Sayle.

EVENT SCHEDULE
Sat 24 Sep - Wed 28 Sep 11 International teams arrive in Sydney
Thu 29 Sep 11
Canberra - AFP, TDS, SP, PNGDF, PLA
0800-0900 Official Opening Breakfast National Gallery of Australia
0930-1100 Official Team Photographs Parliament House Forecourt
1100-1200 Team Managers Meeting Royal Military College, Duntroon

Sydney - ASRU, NZDF, FAF, SANDF, RN, BA, RAF
0900-1000 Team Managers Meeting Garden Island, Sydney
1030-1200 Official Team Photographs Garden Island, Sydney
1230-1430 Official Opening Lunch Sydney Cricket Ground

Sat 01 Oct 11
1200-1930 Gala Game Day 1 Viking Park, Canberra

Wed 05 Oct 11
1200 - 1930 Gala Game Day 2 T.G. Millner Field, Sydney
1300 - 1430 TDS v ASRU

Sun 09 Oct 11
1200-1930 Gala Game Day 3 Viking Park, Canberra
1200-1330 ASRU v PLA

Thu 13 Oct 11
0930-1700 Quarter Finals T.G.Millner Field, Sydney
1300-1630 Pool Plate Semi Finals Victoria Barracks, Sydney
1900-2300 Official Closing Function (Australian Leg) Sydney Cricket Ground

Sat 15 Oct 11
Semi-Finalists to Auckland - RNZAF Depart from RAAF Richmond

Sun 16 Oct 11
1300-1630 Pool Plate Finals Viking Park, Canberra

Mon 17 Oct - Fri 21 Oct 11
International teams start to depart from Sydney

Tue 18 Oct 11
1300-1630 IDRC 2011 Semi Finals North Shore RFC, Auckland

Sat 22 Oct 11
1300-1630 IDRC 2011 Finals Auckland University, Auckland

Mon 24 Oct 11
Finalists return to Sydney - RNZAF Return to RAAF Richmond

Tue 25 Oct - Fri 28 Oct 11
Remaining International teams depart from Sydney