We are pleased to enclose the Golden Jubilee Fixture Card 2008 - 2009.

OVERSEAS

In November 2008 we had an excellent run in the HSBC-COBRA International Tens in Kuala Lumpur, the outstanding success in the quarter final being the defeat of Canterbury, the favourites to win the Cup, 7:5. Unfortunately we lost the semi-final, two tries to one, to North Harbour. These leading New Zealand teams epitomise the very high standard of play in this great Tens competition.

A week later we won the Eighth Borneo COBRA Invitational Tens in Sandakan, defeating COBRA, who the week before were the winners of the HSBC-COBRA International Tens, in the semi final.

This year, having been finalists in 2007 and 2008, we continued our very good record in the Hong Kong Tens 2009 by being winners of the Plate. Details of this will appear on the website and in our Fixture Card for 2009 - 2010.

Once again we shall be playing in the HSBC-COBRA International Tens Tournament in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend of November 14th and 15th.

HOME

Apart from our match at Twickenham, our annual fixture versus Cambridge University was "frozen off", and the accolades must go to Oxford University who, for the first time, succeeded in defeating us two years in succession under the skilful guidance of Steve Hill.

We are pleased and honoured to announce that we have accepted an invitation to play Bristol University Past & Present to celebrate their centenary. Date and venue to be advised.

In 2010, our fixtures against the Varsities will be - Wednesday 3 February v Cambridge (Grange Road - ko 19.15 hrs) and Tuesday 2 March v Oxford (Iffley Road - ko 19.15hrs).

HSBC/PENGUIN INTERNATIONAL COACHING ACADEMY

The success and popularity of the Academy is attracting much favourable media attention. Craig Brown has ably directed all its programmes which included sessions in Ireland, Hong Kong and, in particular, many cities in South Africa in conjunction with the British and Irish Lions, HSBC and the South Africa Rugby Union.

We were honoured to be appointed by the HSBC Asian Five Nations committee to undertake programmes in China, Jordan, Macau, Mongolia and Malaysia on their behalf, and are pleased to confirm that the Academy will once again be providing an extensive coaching programme for schools in Dubai during the Sevens in December this year. It will also be conducting programmes in Malaysia and Singapore this autumn.

The Penguin International Rugby Football Trust, a registered charity, will be dispatching a Newsletter which will provide the details in regard to the foregoing.

PENGUIN INTERNATIONAL "GOLDEN OLDIES" - THE KING PENGUINS

Following the success of Twickenham this year, and as a result of the enthusiasm of John Zimnoch and David Harris, the Club has resolved to form a Golden Oldies division with these two gentlemen as the principal officers and administrators. There is the prospect of Penguins playing an Australian Parliament team in Australia in 2010. All members who are over 35 and interested in playing should communicate direct with John or David at:

On the subject of Golden Oldies playing laws, a former New Zealand sports writer once wrote "The Golden Oldies Experience begins when you accept that you're at far greater risk from what you may do to yourself and have done to you socially than anything which may happen to you on the field."

ST. JAMES, CALEDONIAN & PENGUIN INTERNATIONAL GOLFING SOCIETY

All Penguin members are automatically members of this old Golfing Society which has the benefit of playing at two of the UK's leading golf clubs - namely, The Berkshire in Ascot, and Bruntsfield Links in the centre of Edinburgh. Details can be found in the fixture card and we do urge members to consider taking part actively in at least one of these very pleasant days.

COMMITTEE

This year Paul Selway-Swift announced his retirement. I am sure all members will wish to join the committee in extending our thanks to him for his considerable and wholehearted support of the Club, and wish him well in the future. The committee would like to congratulate Tony Hanks on being appointed director of rugby at London Wasps. We were delighted that John Breen (Baravi Exiles) and John McKittrick (North Harbour) made the long journey from the Antipodes to be present at the Dinner. John Zimnoch travelled from Canada, and both he and John McKittrick played at Twickenham. We are pleased to announce that Paul Heber (Old Reigatian/Dorking/Chichester) has joined the committee as Hon. Membership Secretary. In future Paul will be dispatching this Newsletter, together with the annual fixture card and subscription letter. The Executive Committee is delighted that Craig Brown has accepted the appointment of CEO of the Club.

Finally, I would like to thank our committee for the sterling efforts they have made during the last year to advance the Club's interests.

PENGUIN HISTORY

Dick Tyson has commenced work in conjunction with the writer, and once again they would be very pleased to receive photographs, anecdotes, etc., which might assist in the compilation of this book. The target for publication is Christmas 2010.

MEMBERSHIP DONATION

Your continued financial support is very much appreciated. As you know, the Penguins are generously supported by HSBC. Nevertheless, we continue to rely heavily upon our members' contributions to cover our extensive playing and coaching plans.

Enclosed herewith is the Annual Subscription letter we wish you to send to the Hon. Treasurer with an appropriate cheque. If you have paid this year, please ignore this request - however, your email address would be welcomed.

HSBC - OUR SPONSORS

We would like to congratulate HSBC on their sponsorship of the Asian Five Nations tournament. We were, of course, very pleased and honoured to accept an invitation to carry out an extensive coaching programme this year in South Africa in conjunction with HSBC - Principal Partner of the British and Lions tour, and I am sure all members will join with me in expressing our thanks to HSBC and its directors for their continued support, interest and sponsorship of this Club.

Alan Wright
Editor