Alberton Madalas host the National Golden Oldies Tournament

ALBERTON Madalas Rugby Team hosted this year’s National Golden Oldies Tournament and were victorious over 33 other teams.

The tournament took place over the weekend of September 21 and 23 at the Alberton Rugby Club.

The Madalas are comprised of players aged 35 and older, who are either involved in coaching juniors some of the skills that they have honed over the years, or are fathers of current or past junior or senior players, or any citizen of Alberton wanting to be involved with the great game we all love.

Anyone who has watched the games will tell you that the players have not lost their competitive edge at all, but they do place a lot of emphasis on the three core values of fun, friendship and fraternity.

Games are played according to national standards and consist of three 20-minute rounds.

Teams came from as far afield as the Western Cape (like the Goodwood Legends), KwaZulu-Natal (the Richards Bay Rugga Rhinos) and the Eastern Cape (Parks Golden Oldies).

Even some well-known former Springboks such as Japie Mulder, Wahl Bartmann and Derrick Hougaard made an appearance and a lot of catching up on old times was done over a beer or three.

EFC (mixed martial arts) fighters Gordon ‘Rage’ Roodman and Shaun ‘Howling Mad’ Marx also showed up to cheer on the local team.

One of the local players was the legendary wrestler Joe “Trashman”. No doubt seeing him running at you would have been a scary sight.

The vibe was something special as old friends and foes came together to enjoy a great weekend together.

The tournament was proof that the game of rugby will never die and that it is as healthy as ever.

All in all it was a super weekend that was very well organised.

The hosts won the final game, but it was about the camaraderie and having fun rather than the result.

Well done, Madalas and Alberton Rugby Club. You have done us proud again.

The chairman and founder of the club, which is affiliated to the Alberton Rugby Club, is Danie Putter, who is also the vice president of the Golden Lions Oldies.

The group consists of 55 active players who train twice a week at the club. They are a family-orientated club, so the wives and children accompany them on their tours and monthly games.

*Story (edited) and images supplied by Wayne Raath.

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