During our off-days in between tournaments, rugby is still going on in our host city.  New Zealand and their down under neighbours, the Aussies, have been battling for the Chris Handy Cup, which is symbolic of rugby dominance in the Oceania Zone.  The Kiwis won the 2002 event last season, stopping the Aussie streak at three straight Chris Handy Cup wins.  I'm glad I sent down a few extra video tapes with the new camcorder, since I expect the coaching staff would want to have a permanent record of the two Oceanic powers, as the Aussies will not be participating in the World Wheelchair Games, and the Kiwis will soon be split into two squads.

Many thanks to those of you who are commenting right here in the Road Journal.  Feedback is golden!

Meanwhile, my computer tells me in it's own endearing but slightly hopped-on-cappucino electronic voice.... «You've got mail!» and although it's not from Meg Ryan, I thought I'd share it with you:

---

Hello Canada,

Well, we’re all here!  The rest of Team Canada arrived yesterday, to the first day of rain we’ve had since we arrived in New Zealand.  It was a good trip for everyone, by all accounts, even the youngest members of Team Canada, MacKenzie Funk and Noah Doré.

After a day of touring around the Christchurch City Centre, the team convened for their first meeting, before retiring for the night.  All the messages sent from our friends in Canada and the U.S., including Dodie Willsie, Lorrie Hoium, Barb Montemurro, Bill Bouffard, Dan McCluskey and Daryl and Laurie Stubel, were conveyed to the team.  These messages are terrific for the team and they really appreciate the support.  Thanks team members and Fans!

Today dawned much brighter, although cool, in the land down under.  Everyone was out and about, with Coaches Soares and Labrecque and High Performance Coordinator, Marco Dispaltro heading back to Cowles Stadium to watch the Aussies and Kiwis in the final day of competition in the Chris Handy Cup.  The Kiwis took both games today, capturing the 2003 Chris Handy Cup title.

Opening Ceremonies will take place on Monday at 11:00.  The Flag Bearer for Canada will be selected tomorrow and announced in tomorrow’s Road Journal.

Nine athletes who have yet to achieve PPS Classification ["Permanent Paralympic Status"] status head to Pioneer Stadium tomorrow for classification. Marco, Joe, Benoit and Stephan will accompany the team, who are the first team up for a superb classification team assembled here in Christchurch.  This panel includes our own Level 4 classifier, Emilie Newell, with Jennifer Stodler entering the final phase of her Level 3 training at this event.

Meetings start tomorrow for Cathy, Judy, Eron and Tony.  The IWRF Executive Committee Meeting takes place tomorrow, with the IWRF 2003 Annual Assembly taking place on Monday from 13:00 to 19:00.  Following that Donald and Cathy will be representing Canada at the 2003 ISMWSF Annual Assembly.

More tomorrow, so stay tuned!