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Guest
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NEW MEMBER EARNS HIS STRIPES FROM NZ
By Wayne Cousins
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Wests Tigers fanatic Mark Davis may live in New Zealand but it hasn’t stopped him from becoming the latest supporter to ‘Step Up’ and become a valued member.
Based in Wellington, Mark goes by the nick-name of ‘NZ Tiger’ when he blogs on this official Wests Tigers website. Despite being overseas, he has shown his loyalty by taking out a Stripes Membership.
The Stripes Membership is ideal for those supporters to can’t commit to attending matches but for just $59, Mark has become a paid up and proud Wests Tigers Member. He receives some great member benefits, a member kit, and will even receive a match day SMS from coach Tim Sheens as part of his package.
In between cheering loudly for Wests Tigers, Mark is also the producer of Rugby League 3 on Wii which is due to be released on March 18.
Wests Tigers caught up with Mark this week to ask him about his passion for the team and his background. Welcome to the club, Mark!
WT: How long you have been following the Tigers for and how did it start?
Mark: I began following Balmain Tigers when I was 12 years old back in 1989\. The RL trading cards became a sudden craze at school and I basically thought the Tigers emblem was 'cooler' than all the others and decided to follow that team. I was also very impressed with how good the gold jersey with Black V looked too.
I hadn't really heard of rugby league before then but was instantly hooked when I began watching delayed late night league on free-to-air New Zealand TV. The Tigers were on fire that year so they featured in the 'Main Game' quite often. I still remember the 89 finals series like it was yesterday and like many Tigers fans, will never forgot the horrible outcome of the 89 Grand Final. I stuck with the Tigers through thick and thin over the following years, and in 1995, when the 'Auckland' Warriors entered the competition, I just simply couldn't turn my back on them.
I have mates who support the Warriors, but also many other mates, NZ league traditionalists like myself, who have continued to support their first beloved club prior to 1995.
WT: Who have been your favourite players over the years from Balmain to Wests Tigers?
Mark: There's been some terrific players who have worn the Tigers jersey and I'm thankful to have seen players like Benny Elias, Tim Brasher, Paul Sironen, and Blocker Roach in action, but of course, I also had a soft spot for every Kiwi player that have played for the Black and Gold over the years - players such as Gary Freeman, Morvin Edwards, and Jason Lowrie.
In the Wests Tigers era, the players that will forever hold special memories (so far) are Benji Marshall, Brett Hodgson, Robbie Farah, Taniela Tuiaki, Paul Whatuira, Scott Prince and John Skandalis. I'm hoping for another big season from Marshall, Farah and Tuiaki (get well soon, TNT) in 2010.
WT: How far have you travelled to watch a game, particularly Wests Tigers?
Mark: I've been to every recent Wests Tigers match in NZ - seeing them battle the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium numerous times and very much appreciated the opportunity seeing them in their 'home away from home' matches in Christchurch in 2004, 2005 and 2006\. I've managed to get over to Sydney from NZ a few times now although my biggest regret wasn't being proactive enough in getting a Grand Final ticket in 2005 before it sold out. I love the atmosphere of Leichhardt Oval and can't wait to get over there again. Unfortunately with a young child (and another on the way), its getting harder and harder to get over as of late, which is the main reason for only purchasing a Stripes membership this season. However, once the boys are old enough, I will certainly bring them over with me. I've already recruited one 18 month old Tigers fan.
WT: Why is important for fans to ‘Step Up’ and become members?
Mark: It's not only important for your club's survival but its also very important for the game's survival. I truly feel now is the time for all league fans to unite by supporting their clubs in 2010 and beyond. With the upcoming threat of AFL (and football) in Sydney's West, Rugby League must look after its sacred breeding ground and continue building a strong brotherhood across the entire competition for the game that we all love.
By Wayne Cousins
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Wests Tigers fanatic Mark Davis may live in New Zealand but it hasn’t stopped him from becoming the latest supporter to ‘Step Up’ and become a valued member.
Based in Wellington, Mark goes by the nick-name of ‘NZ Tiger’ when he blogs on this official Wests Tigers website. Despite being overseas, he has shown his loyalty by taking out a Stripes Membership.
The Stripes Membership is ideal for those supporters to can’t commit to attending matches but for just $59, Mark has become a paid up and proud Wests Tigers Member. He receives some great member benefits, a member kit, and will even receive a match day SMS from coach Tim Sheens as part of his package.
In between cheering loudly for Wests Tigers, Mark is also the producer of Rugby League 3 on Wii which is due to be released on March 18.
Wests Tigers caught up with Mark this week to ask him about his passion for the team and his background. Welcome to the club, Mark!
WT: How long you have been following the Tigers for and how did it start?
Mark: I began following Balmain Tigers when I was 12 years old back in 1989\. The RL trading cards became a sudden craze at school and I basically thought the Tigers emblem was 'cooler' than all the others and decided to follow that team. I was also very impressed with how good the gold jersey with Black V looked too.
I hadn't really heard of rugby league before then but was instantly hooked when I began watching delayed late night league on free-to-air New Zealand TV. The Tigers were on fire that year so they featured in the 'Main Game' quite often. I still remember the 89 finals series like it was yesterday and like many Tigers fans, will never forgot the horrible outcome of the 89 Grand Final. I stuck with the Tigers through thick and thin over the following years, and in 1995, when the 'Auckland' Warriors entered the competition, I just simply couldn't turn my back on them.
I have mates who support the Warriors, but also many other mates, NZ league traditionalists like myself, who have continued to support their first beloved club prior to 1995.
WT: Who have been your favourite players over the years from Balmain to Wests Tigers?
Mark: There's been some terrific players who have worn the Tigers jersey and I'm thankful to have seen players like Benny Elias, Tim Brasher, Paul Sironen, and Blocker Roach in action, but of course, I also had a soft spot for every Kiwi player that have played for the Black and Gold over the years - players such as Gary Freeman, Morvin Edwards, and Jason Lowrie.
In the Wests Tigers era, the players that will forever hold special memories (so far) are Benji Marshall, Brett Hodgson, Robbie Farah, Taniela Tuiaki, Paul Whatuira, Scott Prince and John Skandalis. I'm hoping for another big season from Marshall, Farah and Tuiaki (get well soon, TNT) in 2010.
WT: How far have you travelled to watch a game, particularly Wests Tigers?
Mark: I've been to every recent Wests Tigers match in NZ - seeing them battle the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium numerous times and very much appreciated the opportunity seeing them in their 'home away from home' matches in Christchurch in 2004, 2005 and 2006\. I've managed to get over to Sydney from NZ a few times now although my biggest regret wasn't being proactive enough in getting a Grand Final ticket in 2005 before it sold out. I love the atmosphere of Leichhardt Oval and can't wait to get over there again. Unfortunately with a young child (and another on the way), its getting harder and harder to get over as of late, which is the main reason for only purchasing a Stripes membership this season. However, once the boys are old enough, I will certainly bring them over with me. I've already recruited one 18 month old Tigers fan.
WT: Why is important for fans to ‘Step Up’ and become members?
Mark: It's not only important for your club's survival but its also very important for the game's survival. I truly feel now is the time for all league fans to unite by supporting their clubs in 2010 and beyond. With the upcoming threat of AFL (and football) in Sydney's West, Rugby League must look after its sacred breeding ground and continue building a strong brotherhood across the entire competition for the game that we all love.
