Plains Rangers President's Report 2010

2010 was a successful season for Plains Rangers. Coach Aaron Muggeridge had a good crop of young players to choose from, with enough senior players to provide the balance and stability needed. The return of Christian Wetting gave the team strength, and the return of Ben McPherson, from Whakatane, Jeremy Hawkes and Richie Nillesen from injury brought added quality. Aaron provided good quality training sessions to get the squad playing well together. The team finished 4th in BOP division one, with 10 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses, scoring 31 goals and conceding 13. Rangers also got to the CNS Cup final, losing to league champions Katikati. Rangers rounded the season off with a fine performance, losing 3 - 2 to Whakatane in the Sponsors Cup game.
The performances, and the number of young players mean Rangers can look forward to the future with enthusiasm. Also looking to the future is the prospect of have a second team to cater for the growing number of players. While this will be of benefit to the club, it will mean hands on deck needed to organise and maintain the teams and facilities.
The continuing support of sponsors Gary Fowell Builders and Little Orchard Preschool has been much appreciated, and has kept players' fees at a reasonable level.
Having the home base of the Awakeri Events Centre has worked well. We are grateful to the centre for providing bar staff, notably Gavin Dennis. Christian Wetting has joined the Events Centre committee and there are plans for training lights to be investigated. The possibility of referee's changing rooms, display space and a trophy cabinet has also been talked about.
Thanks to Aaron for securing funding from Southern Trust, which was another help for a good season.
With Margaret Elliot retiring after many years of fine service and support, she is leaving big shoes to fill. She has done so many jobs for the club, and has helped keep enthusiastic young men on track and having fun. A huge thank you Margaret. We know you will continue to support Plains Rangers.
Many thanks also to Stewart Sutton for his treasury work, minding our bank balances very competently.
Congratulations too to Aaron for his fine job coaching, getting the team playing nice football and keeping the enthusiasm going.

Highlights of the season:
A run of six consecutive wins, from July to September
Having the All Whites do so well at the World Cup was an inspiration to us all
A Jimmy Krause hat trick against Old Blues
Having three 15 year olds in our squad
Matt Dalgity yelling out Come on Edgecumbe by mistake when playing against us
Rangers back playing in green
Fun games at indoor, with quite a few of the Whakatane womens team turning up
Paul the octopus
Muggsy offering a quart of beer as a prize for a shooting exercise at training
That CNS Cup semi final, drawing 4 - 4 with Tauranga City after extra time then winning the penalty shoot out.

Other incidents:
Christian being red carded for a high foot
Wett's self inflating eye injury
The rain and lightning at Ngongotaha

Plains Rangers prize list 2010
Christian Wetting (Player of the year), Cameron Wills (Players' player and Young Player of the Year), Jeff Krause (Most promising), Jeremy Hawkes (Sportsman), Adam Mayor (Endeavour), Ben McPherson (Golden boot), John Noblett (Personality).

Barrie Hawkes