Coach Legends

Bryn Gordon is now a Blues man Boz is recognised with Life Membership Simon retires but not moving on

Bryn Gordon

Congratulations to our Harcourts Cooper & Co Bec Whitley Property Premier 1 Co-Captain, Bryn Gordon on his debut for the Blues. Bryn was named on the bench for the Blues v Crusaders game at Eden Park on 22 March, saying after the game "dreams really do come true".

Gerard Boesley

Gerard "Boz" Boesley became our newest Life Member at the recent Annual General Meeting.  For the past 20 years, Boz has been an integral part of the club, a trusted player’s advocate and enthusiastic supporter of all Cote teams. “I’m very humbled and honoured to be accepted into a group of men and women who’ve done a lot for the club over the years. I’m hugely proud to be a part of the Cote family,” Boz said.

Simon Williamson

Thank you to Simon Williamson who, after 9 years, stood down as Northcote Rugby Club President in the interests of impartiality. He has been elected as President with the North Harbour Union. Simon will stay on as a Director on the Club's Board and a passionate Cote supporter. “It has been a real privilege to have been President and I do wish everyone and the Club well for the future,” he said. 

Reflecting on Simon's time with Northcote Rugby Club, fellow 1975 4th Grade player, George Fraser, offered the following insights. 

It’s got nothing to do with Tariffs, Executive Orders or firings. The President we’re talking about is a bit closer to home.

But first, let’s turn the clock back fifty years. 1975 saw a ragtag bunch of 17 and 18 year olds come together at the Northcote Birkenhead Rugby Football Club (NBRFC) and form the 4th grade team for that year. Stafford Park was our home ground, not known for good drainage on a high tide. We loved our rugby and our beer, not so much the girls - that came later.

Our team was well managed and well coached. We trained and played hard. We played for each other and we loved to win, so much so that we went on to win the Auckland 4th Grade championship that year.

A wiry number 8 secured the scrum, playing at a fighting weight he was never able to regain. The number 8 jersey was worn by none other than S.J.Williamson. A player who gave his all every game, still carrying to this day many of secrets of the dark places a forward invariably ends up in. He
played well ahead of his years, also representing the Auckland Secondary Schools that same year - a team in which he was Vice Captain.

Fifty years on the 4th grade team remains close and the best of lifelong mates. This June we will come together to recognise those friendships. We will reflect on how those bonds and disciplines have positively impacted our personal and professional lives.

And we will celebrate the contribution and commitment that Simon has made to the club and the game that has given us all so much.

Last week Simon was appointed to the position of President, North Harbour Rugby Union, and was recognised for his service over the last nine years as the President, NBRFC. Not a bad effort for a forward that wasn’t always on the right side of the referee's whistle.

Well done Simon. Your team mates from 1975 are immensely proud of all you that you have achieved for the sport and the club that has such a special place in our lives. And with the Statute of Limitations for legal action well expired, we look forward to hearing from you in June what really happened in the bottom of those rucks.