A happy new year 2005 to all you Quins out there in the Diaspora.
Trust you had an equally joyous and wonderful Christmas.
2004. The sooner we leave it behind the better.
We begun the year the on top of the mountain and ended it with 2 trophies in the cabinet (more than three quarters of the other clubs around) these being the Black Rock Trophy and the Driftwood 7's. One must say that no other Sevens team showed class, polish and finesse the way the Quins team that won the Driftwood did. A superlative performance that would have been the envy of many top international sevens sides was seen that weekend they won. Hats off to them.
A successful tour to Zimbabwe (a first ever) got the club off to a roaring start early in the year. Some high quality games and excellent performances by some of the new blood were positive factors that emanated from that tour.
Our season was one of so near yet so far. The team being so young having seen the retirements/departures of 15 players from the previous years all conquering squad fought tooth and nail in all the competitions they took part this year. Semi Finals and Finals were where we camped but the top prize just seemed to slip through our fingers. But nevertheless the boys deserve a big pat on their backs.
Our club coach Tom Webster Odundo added more feathers to his cap by being named the Kenya National 15's coach. (Why Quins?) We wish him all the best.
The singles club lost more members and curiously all from the Kondele Axis by the Lake Victoria. These were Tom Webster Ochieng Odundo, Gabriel John Ohanya Ouko and Edward Jones Kinyany Oloo. The Mt. Kenya Mafia numbers suffered a serious blow here as the "Wanjikus" were carted off to Dala, Pand Pieri, Kisumu Royale and Octopussy. Roger Akena, Kiragu Ngunya and Pedro Anampiu still carrying the singles flag. Paul Odera was last seen proposing to one F Brown?
Joe "Zangi" Onsando made a welcome return back to Kenya after a two year stint in Zimbabwe. Other returnees were Charley Angawa from Yugoslavia and Oburru Charger from Cuba. Welcome back guys.
Gordon Argo made a couple of his traditional stopovers in Nairobi and boy o boy were those weekends great.
Allan Makaka one of Quins star players manage to land a successful rugby playing professional contract. We wish him all the best in the UK where he is based. (How much did we sell him for?).
Nicol Kabugua (way out in Perth, Australia) finally became a father of a very beautiful baby girl. Congrats boy. A long time coming indeed. Your visit here last March was appreciated. Gather that's when the seed was planted.
So what's in store for 2005?
Well the Quins dinner long overdue (again) and eagerly awaited will be on the cards.
The return of Quins as the dominant rugby team in Kenya is a must for this season. Lets be the TSUNAMI of Kenya Rugby
A more family friendly social club will definitely be in place. A fun day will be scheduled sometime later in the year. Meanwhile Barbeques will be more common and food in place.
The first Quiz Nite (hopefully) will be on Thursday 28th January 2005. Details will follow. But in the meantime club night is as always on THURSDAY.
Membership categories will reappear so be on the look out and be a bonafide Quins member (Strong, Sure and Superior categories). The fairer sex (Ladies) will be eligible for Strong as well and the kids, teens, tiny tots will be in the Sure Category. More details to follow.
The DSTV at the club needs a donor/sponsor who will keep it going for the year. Its important as most of the younger players prefer watching top class rugby at Quins and this will keep them here instead of them going elsewhere. Year subscription for DSTV is Ksh 72,000.
The club needs your presence for only seven important days this year. So please all and bring the lot be there on MONDAY< TUESDAY< WEDNESDAY < THURSDAY< FRIDAY< SATURDAY<SUNDAY.
Please forward ideas on monthly rewards for young players, the team and things like that (other ideas as long as within the legal limits welcome as well. This is one club that's full of lawyers). Its going to be one long season and we need to keep our boys happy all through and not risk them getting bored.
Anyone with suggestions on how we can harness Solar Energy to reduce some of our costs please speak out LOUDLY.
And among others finally we should see the start of our Ladies rugby side the Quins Queens (Double Q). A coach will be required so forward your applications ASAP and training days will be as Normal to start with. (Ken Thimba are you there?)
Otherwise lets have an organised and structured year. As stated earlier our aim is to be the leading 21st Century club this side of the Equator and above the Limpopo river. Attached to this QUINZONE is a message from the Chairman as well as the fixtures for 2005 so that your calendar is well organised for the year. And do forget to link into WWW.QUINS.CO.KE for useful reading and regular updates and articles.
Lets bring in all the Quins from far and wide back into the fold. Gather them from every hole and bring them back to the club (or at least the QUINZONE). Our enemies are sharpening their knives. We need to sharpen our claws and be ready for them. AND ENEMIES WE HAVE BIG ONES.
Have a good year people and all the best in 2005 to the greatest rugby club on earth. KENYA HARLEQUIN FC
ONCE A QUIN ALWAYS A QUIN
TO BE A QUIN IS A WAY OF LIFE
A QUIN NEVER GETS DRUNK, JUST GETS TIRED
Cheers People
Herbert Mwachiro... (Bomas Katiba Watch)
PS: See below other contributors for year 2005 so far.
Ken Mulli
Guys,
The following have pledged to contribute some money to enable us reach our target of Ksh. 100,000.00, which is the balance for the scrum machine;
Charles Katee Paul Nyamodi, Chris Ochieng, Peter Ocholla, Jesse Onsando, Gordon Anampiu, Phillip Ochieng, Pater Anampiu, Ken Thimba, Kiragu, Jeff Anampiu, George Kuria, E, Siganga, Andrew Waititu , Joe Onsando and Ken Muli.
The pledges we have are far from the target so we are still appealing to more members and supporters to come forward and donate something.
Cheers and see you on Thursday at the club.
