It looks like a great time was had by all. There were teams of players aged 35 and older from 18 countries-some from as far as Japan and the Cook Islands. The programs showed some of the really geriatric players-the oldest player was 85 years young. It should be added that it some age groups, the scrums are uncontested and I believe players over 65 wore red shorts to prevent them from being tackled or hurt. I could not help but to notice what a good time it looked like everybody was having while playing. I can only just imagine how much more fun the players had in the pubs of Edinburgh once the games were over.
The program also mentioned that the next world wide veterans festival will be in Sydney, Australia in 2010. THAT would be a fun trip. There is an increased number of tournaments that cater to the mature/older rugby player. This weekend in the USA, there is a big tournament in Aspen, Colorado. Back in the spring, there was a big veterans gathering in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. This increasing number of old boy tournaments in fun and different places sure gives me enough motivation to try to get my knee healed( I have my doctor’s appointment on Monday) and to stay in shape.
Who knows, maybe in two years time, I can have enough money saved to go to Sydney, and then go over to Victoria to check out my Aunt Kay’s new place, which is about 3 hours north of Melbourne. All I know is that the increased number of these old boys tournaments are quite the carrot on the stick to keep a middle aged guy like me involved with the sport.
I could honestly think of nothing more fun then playing/attending a rugby tournament in Sydney. Your knee might heal, but I’m not sure your liver would ever recover from all the pubs on that trip! Good luck with the doctor.