How did all this madness start? A just question indeed! The "madness" referred to is no less than Golden Oldies Rugby.
It all started in 1978, when an expatriate Australian, Dr Dale Toohey, living in California was attending the Asian - Pacific rugby congress in Fiji. He had thoughts of expanding the game to accommodate the veterans of rugby (those over 35), so that they could continue to be active players with less chance of injury.
Dale Toohey, resident Professor of Physical Education at the University of southern California at Long beach, met with a long standing friend and rugby colleague, Tom Johnson from Auckland NZ From those discussions the concept of Golden oldies Rugby was born. Their idea was to promote a "softer" version of the game so that injury would be lessened, and enjoyment enhanced.
Players from 35 to over 80 participate in the game, now played all around the world. The first tournament was played in Auckland in 1979. Twelve teams from New Zealand and one each from USA and Canada played. Such was the success of the venture, that another was planned for 1981 in Long Beach USA. Forty-six clubs from fourteen countries around the world participated. In just two years Golden Oldies Rugby had made such a dramatic impression on the world rugby fraternity that it was now included on world rugby programming.
Sydney was host city in 1983 with 115 teams from 14 countries. London was host in 1985 with 180 teams representing 22 countries. Players returned to Auckland in 1987 swelling the number of players to 4000. In 1989 Toronto, Canada welcomed 5000 aficionados to their great venue. Every 2 years Golden Oldies met at cities all around the world, including Perth 1991, Dublin 1993, Christchurch 1995, Vancouver 1997, and Cape Town 1998. Adelaide will host the 1999 games in October.
Back in 1980, so as not to be left behind, the Dubbo Rugby Club formed the famous "Old Dubbonian Gentleman's' Invitational XV", and during the decade that followed, played in many local tournaments. Unfortunately, mainly due to departures from the town and infirmity taking hold of a few players the team went into recess for some years. However, in 1998, due to a resurgence of interest and an influx of "young" Oldies, the Golden Oldies were re-incarnated, this time in the guise of the "Dubbo Roo Teds XV".
The seniors celebrate 100; the juniors celebrate 100 and the Teds celebrate, well, 1. The Golden Oldies division of the club was formed in 1998 to contribute to the Club`s Centenary celebrations.
Our program for the centenary year includes a rematch against Wellington for the `Ted`s Boot` Trophy; a round robin carnival with Cobar, Forbes, Parkes, Wellington and others; and an exhibition father and son match. Our undefeated record will be tested when we play a 17-all draw against the Australian Legends on August 7th at No. 1 Oval. Then we are off to the World Golden Oldies Festival in Adelaide in October, when some 5 000 players from all over the world compete.
There is a rumour as to why we are called the Teds - as in Dubbo Roo Teds. This is not so! Nor is it because at the conclusion of each game, we all say `I`m……….ted`. We are called Teds, because all our players real names are Ted and we only marry girls who are `Teds" - enchanteds, contenteds, delighteds, appreciateds, invigorated, and of course, exciteds.
Our registrations read like a who`s who of rugby and consist of - Don Blue (Haka -Ted), Craig Carolan (Renovated), Paul Coles (Stuff-ted), Graham Commins ( Marinated), Rob. Devenish (Devo-ted), Bruce Gray (Rehabilitated), Stuart McFarlane (Lacerated), Bob Elliott (Sophisticated), Richard Noss (Exalted), David Power (Exhausted), Ron Lampe (Barsted), David Ringland (Innoculated), John Mongan (Stunted), Dick North (A-Dick-Ted), Neil Miller (Bloated), John Larkin (Corrugated), Neil Raines (Affected), Cliff Swane (Inflated), Bluey Woolfrey (Deviated), Mark Stanford (Acquited), Paul Reid (Contaminated), Don McKay (Prefabricated), Brian Martin (Depleted), Don Stephens (Assaulted), Jim Carey (Perforated), Frank Newman (Conscripted), Bill Frew (AnimaTed), Bill O`Brien (Dented), Alan Murphy (Busted), Stuart Webster (Rejected), Rob. Kearins (Perverted) and Steve Ryan is last on the list because he`s Far-ted.
The Teds congratulate Dubbo Rugby Club on this milestone in the Club`s history. We also thank the Club for its support and look forward to growing the Golden Oldies Division to be a vibrant part of the Club over the next 100 years.
