15 January 2009 Lincoln University rugby reverts to own identity

Lincoln University rugby is returning to its roots and re-establishing its identity as a completely university-based club.

A 13-year association with Christchurch's Merivale Rugby Football Club, which saw Lincoln University's players headquartered at Nunweek Park and taking the field under the Merlins strip, has been given the final whistle.

A meeting between both parties on 25 September agreed that the two clubs should revert to pursuing their own traditional identities. Lincoln and Merivale are respectively Christchurch's second and third oldest rugby clubs. The Lincoln University club was founded in 1881 and Merivale the following year.

In the 13 years since their merger under the Merlins banner, the Sports Scholarship programme at Lincoln University has "taken off' and its manager Peter Magson says that logic now demands a strong campus-based identity and set of associations for the Rugby Scholarship component of the programme.

"By bringing rugby back to the campus we will be able to provide closer personal attention to the development of our Rugby Scholars," says Mr Magson. ·'It will also give the players a greater sense of connection with their university.

"The Scholars in tum will provide a strong nucleus of talent around which Lincoln University can once again build a proud and competitive team. That's how we see the future unfolding."

Rugby at Lincoln University can claim connection with over 25 All Blacks including captains Wilson Whineray, Andy Dalton and Richie McCaw, and in the 10 years of its existence the Lincoln University Sports Scholarship Programme has produced an average of 1.2 All Blacks annually.

"The basis is there for Lincoln University to once again make its own distinctive mark on city rugby, and for players to be encouraged to pursue the sport through to the highest level of representation."

"We wish the Merivale Club well as it pursues its own destiny and we appreciate the benefits that have accrued from our recent association. Now we once again follow the separate paths we began on over a century and a quarter ago."