Hawaii will be the first US state to stage a world Vintage Rugby Carnival - the United States’ sunshine state, is hosting the fifth World Vintage Rugby Carnival which takes place September 23-30, 2012.

Carnival organisers expect teams from Canada, New Zealand, the USA, Ireland, England, Spain, France, Germany, South America, Australia and South Africa to be in Hawaii for the big event – 20 teams from 6 countries are already confirmed. The latest US entries to arrive included Texas XXXs, Olde Barking Dogs (Iowa), Battleship Old Boys (Alabama), Archiball Association (Georgia), PacLantic (with players from San Francisco, New York and various parts of California) and host club the Hawaii Harlequins. They will be joined by international teams with names like the Creaky Ol’ Convicts from Norfolk Island, the Southern Downs Raging Rodents, Burleigh Bodgies, Bundaburg Rumruckers, Condamine Codgers, Sunnybank Puffin Dragons, Bustard Eagles and the Manly Steamers (all from Australia), Helvetes De Geneve from Switzerland and Old Orcas (Argentina).

The Carnival offers two sections for men: 35 to 45 and 46 years and over.  The Carnival Rules and playing conditions will ensure all teams are offered the chance to play rugby as competitively as they wish against like-minded teams from around the world.

The seven day carnival includes three playing days, two major functions, an optional midweek trip and a comprehensive sightseeing and activity programme which is unique to Hawaii. Games in Hawaii will be played at the famous Queen Kapiolani Park under majestic Diamond Head, just an A'a' chunk's throw from the beaches of Waikiki.

Vintage Rugby is a rapidly growing international movement for Rugby players over the age of 35. Previous carnivals have been staged in Limerick (2004), Buenos Aires (2006), Christchurch (2008) and Cape Town (2010).The four previous carnivals have set a platform for strong international growth. The growth was based on Vintage Rugby’s ability to continue to offer an opportunity for mature rugby players to travel to popular destinations in the name of rugby, to meet new and old friends in a relaxing, social non-competitive and well-organised environment which will deliver what they want from a rugby experience.

While results from the Hawaii Carnival play no part in the IRB’s international seeding table, there will be bragging rights available for the teams with the best record in socializing, which is usually a mix of capacity for beer consumption and laughter levels. Because no matter what the on field results Vintage Rugby is all about just one thing – honouring the game with the fullest measure of good fun and friendship.

Full details are available on the Vintage Rugby website www.vintagerugby.com 

Further details from: Paul Gleeson – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it