2009 is here and that means the season is not far around the corner. Pre-Season training has CHANGED AND IS NOW ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS, 6:30PM AT CELTIC so all new players, seniors, senior b's and colts make an effort and get along as we all know that if you turn up now it makes it easier later on in the season.

The seniors will be coached by Shane Enright and Dave McCrea, with Wayne Ford and Murray Walsh taking up the managers roles again. Pre season games have been penciled in against Prebbleton, Mackenzie Country and Timaru Celtic with dates to follow later. The Killer b's will be coached by Geoff Rowe and Chicken with the Colts being taken by Paul Hurley and Paul Morrison. We will have good numbers through the grades this year but if you want to play social rugby the senior B's are looking for numbers and also the U18s and U16s. Any questions regarding playing/coaching contact our coaching coordinator Mark O'Grady on 0274 324 020.

Pre season games have been finalized with the 1st against Timaru Celtic on Sunday 8 March at home, Sunday 22 March vs. McKenzie in Fairlie and the final game against Prebbleton on Friday 27 March at Prebbleton.

Ripper rugby this year will be held at Argyle Park from 24 February - 17 March. The 1st week starts on Tuesday 24 February, there will be 2 rounds with the 1st one starting at 5pm and 2nd one 5:30pm for the 1st week due to Smallblacks TV being there and from there on will start at 6pm. For more details ask your local primary school.
 
With accordance to the NZRU, JAB registration will be held throughout the district of the week 16-21 March. Celtic will hold there's on FRIDAY 20 MARCH, 5pm onwards. Any enquiries contact Paddy Strange 308 0023.
 
Important dates to remember for 2009 are the annual Forceback which is on 7 March at the showground's again, so get your teams entered and when you fill out your entry forms remember to put Celtic as your affiliated team to help the club out.

Also this year in association with the Ashburton Boxing Club we are running a "fight night" to be held at the clubrooms on 6 June. A boxing ring will be erected inside the clubrooms, and will include 8 fights with registered boxers that will help them earn point/rankings towards the national boxing tournament. This night is also the night of David Tua's and Shane Cameron's "fight of the century".  So keep this night free for a night of entertainment.

The club is also going to hold a monster garage sale the same night as JAB registration night, Friday 20 March so if you have any items to donate contact a club member and we will come pick it. So if you're looking for a bargain, keep this night free.

The club would like to congratulate Richie McCrea on being voted president of NZ Marist at there recent AGM. Well done Corgi.

The MCRU AGM is on Wednesday 25 February at 7:30pm at the showground's.

Any enquiries about the above, contact Stefan Brook on 307 1072.

There is a club WORKING BEE this Saturday, 21 February 8am to start on the new changing rooms and just a general tidy up.

Next committee meeting is on 16th March, 7:30pm.