‘What fills the jersey defines the jersey’ The Ross Shield’s introduction in 1902 makes it the oldest rugby competition in New Zealand

Published date04 October 2021
AuthorDave Murdoch
Publication titleBush Telegraph
Piped in by Harvey Sattrup before a proud audience of whanau on Thursday, September 23 (thanks to the easing to level 2 restrictions), compere and Dannevirke Sports Club chairman Craig Boyden outlined the significance of the Ross Shield, saying its introduction in 1902 made it the oldest rugby competition in New Zealand and that the boys would hold it dearly in their memories just as previous players have.

He said it had run most years since, with Dannevirke first winning in 1921 and again in 1982, and is always competitive, drawing from 12 schools, with the weight limit of 56kg a real leveller against the city sides.

He introduced two Magpie representatives who had specially travelled from Hawke’s Bay, lock Frank Lochore and halfback Connor McLeod, who each talked about the pleasure of playing sport at the top level.

McLeod recalled representing Hastings in the Ross Shield but Lochore was too heavy to qualify.

The players were each presented with their caps by the Magpies representatives as manager Fiona Prouting read out a brief biography of each player (printed last week in BT).

Coach Simon Prouting gave a resume of the team’s progress so far saying lockdown had disrupted practices but the team had performed well against Central in their only practice match.

He said the team’s motto, “What Fills The Jersey Defines The Jersey”, is a claim his team will carry out in the tournament next week.

He named Caleb Gore and Fergus Prouting as co-captains and...

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