Lacing up for a good cause

Rowan O’Gorman has become the embodiment of the Marist Albion club in recent years,

as he nears ever closer to breaking Tala Kele’s club record of 330 Division 1 games,

believed to be the most in recent memory for the Metro sub-union as well.

Sitting on 329 games currently, O’Gorman will tie the record in his next match, an incredible achievement for the Marist Albion man.

“It’s been a long time coming to best Tala, so I’m looking forward to equaling him this weekend.” said O’Gorman. “I can remember my first training and I walked through the door and Tala told me to sit beside him and I still sit in the same spot every training.”

“It’ll be great to have my family there for the occasion, but at the end of the day it’s about winning games and giving ourselves another chance at the title at the end of the season.”

Marist Albion achieved the ultimate goal last season, securing the Canstaff Metro Premier title and again find themselves towards the top of the table, sitting third as it stands.

“If we can put together a couple of complete 80-minute performances, we’ll be hard to beat. This season we have managed to blood around 15 debutants, so it’s really pleasing to see those guys step up and help the side.” O’Gorman said.

While going back-to-back would be extremely pleasing for O’Gorman, he’s also involved off the field, as a coach for his son’s Under 8 side and volunteering on the club’s junior committee.

“It’s all about enjoyment for the juniors, whether they’re scoring a try, making a pass or even a goose step, that praise is what will keep bringing them back and we’ve got a great bunch of people across the club that provide the junior players with a great experience.”

Marist Albion is a club with a lot to celebrate at the minute, with the club turning their attention next week to a good cause, one that means a lot to O’Gorman too.

“Next weekend (the 18th of June), we are running a club ball and charity auction that is open to everyone no matter the club you support, with all proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Foundation and Pinc & Steel. Pinc & Steel provide free physio support for anyone going through rehab in Canterbury and those two organizations provide massive motivation for us to run this event and to provide support to a good cause.”

“After talking to some of the clubs sponsors last year after the final, they jumped in and gave us really good support, so we’ll have pink charity Marist Albion jerseys to play in and go to auction, as well as a number of other great auction items for people to dig into their pockets and support the two great organisations and the meaningful work they do.”

It sets up a big couple of weekends for O’Gorman as he gets closer to the appearance record before lacing it up for a good cause.

Tickets for the charity ball are still available and can be purchased here.