The football (soccer) fraternity got together one evening last week in the Riverfern Cafe at the Rimutaka Tavern in Upper Hutt. Their agenda included a send-off for two young American students in their early 20s from Missouri who have been playing for the Upper Hutt Club, and the up-coming multi-ethnic football tournament in Upper Hutt during September and October which turns into a local World Cup with all the flavours of the different countries.

John Dow from Agenda Marketing was also a guest, wearing his hat supporting the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in October and November 2008. The Westpac Stadium hosts eight matches including two quarter finals. Brazil, England, Nigeria and Korea will be based in and training in the Wellington Region. Check out www.fifa.com for full details.
John Dow was instrumental in laying the foundations that secured the formation of the Wellington Phoenix. An important factor throughout all these activities is the huge volunteer input that helps make it happen.

In Upper Hutt, this volunteer factor will be so important in the coming months with the staging of the National Boxing Champs 2 - 4 October, and also Wellington Speedway’s 40th season which is expected to be one of their busiest with extra national champs and visiting American drivers. Steve Williams (Tiger Woods’ caddy) will be driving at the Te Marua raceway on Sunday 28 December.

The planning for the Rugby World Cup 2010 in New Zealand has already seen the school holidays shifted that year. This will enable organisers to tap into the volunteer input needed to make it happen.
The Rimutaka Tavern and Riverfern Cafe are located next to the large Caltex Service Station on SH2 just north of Upper Hutt City Centre. Both have great views right through the Hutt Valley, overlooking the river. Thursday evenings at the Tavern bar is a good time for a visit, when the local community gather there to enjoy a night at the local. It reminds me of the times I miss from the English pubs.