Meet Gareth Rae, a British expat and captain Jakarta Komodos, who lived most of his life in Asia.
A first interesting question and I get a lot of stick for it. I am "British." I grew up in Hong Kong, went to boarding school in England, my mother is Welsh and my Father is Scottish, so my allegiance is with the shape and British coverage of the lot! It was actually the work of my wife (she's a teacher) that led us to Indonesia and we get up to four years in Jakarta now.
How is life as a third culture kid growing Hong Kong, affected your perception of the world and where is home for you?
I spent my first 17 years in Hong Kong which was a big enough room to grow. I still call "home", even though I have not lived there for 15 years. But I guess that home is where the family settled, which is Hinckley, England. Growing up as a third culture kid certainly made me aware of different cultures and backgrounds from a very early age. The buzz that Hong Kong provided me want to taste what else was out there, just in case anything could top it!
You are the captain of a rugby team here. How did you end up joining Jakarta Komodo Rugby Football Club?
Rugby is my number one passion, so I did a little research while living in the UK to see if I could play rugby here once we moved. Fortunately, there was a little competition 7s on the day I arrived, so I rolled up, met a few likeminded people, had a stroke and the rest is history.
There seems to be a great sense of community and unity in the club, can you tell us about the team?
This is the great thing about rugby; it brings guys together like no other sport. Taking results for another tour with another and "shed blood in the same mud 'do it for you. I think, at last count, we had about 14 different nationalities representing the team, which is pretty cool and we all bring our own key and different flavor and club meetings. We are a pretty close group and do a lot off the field together, which involves the whole family. Many of our wives and girlfriends are brought near by the club, too.
How often do you train and what part of the team lead
It is quite social, but we try to train and two to three times per week ?; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Midweek JIS is 19 hours and the weekend is off to Jagorawi Golf and Country Club 10.30. We also have a junior program which starts at 9 am on a Saturday to Jags. Being part of the team just gives guys the opportunity to keep doing something they like, maybe go to some new places, take some frustration (as we know Jakarta can provide the odd bit) and be involved in the most social club in Jakarta. I'm sure everyone leaves with a long friend also, and memories of an epic battle or a great away weekend to play in another Asian city.
What are the requirements to join the club and who is eligible?
Everyone and anyone can join the club. No matter what skill level they have, age or gender. We just want to have fun, to continue to grow the club and in turn increase awareness of rugby in Indonesia. We ask that each member pays a small annual fee to help us costs no money, events, etc. kit
How long have you been playing rugby?
I started playing at the age of four years and now I'm 32. Wow, 28 years, maybe I should be a little better than me!
A great effect. Each year, Komodos host a tournament 10 over the first May weekend. This year it is ready to be hosted on May 4 on the Jagorawi. It is a great day for the club and also for rugby in Indonesia. There are really only two of their kind in Indonesia, with the other being in Bali. The day is a fun packed, fast paced day with 20 teams from across South Asia looking to win the title. I think this year, there has to be 63 games played during the day. It should be a spectacle and it is free for all spectators! As with other events, so a little in the pipeline. We organize an annual golf day (Texas Scramble) every year in February and this year we are also planning to host a boxing event white collar. We just need the guy brave enough to step into the ring ...
A little bird told me that you were a skater boy, can you still a flip kick and do you play other sports?
classic! Where the hell did you hear that? Yes, I'm a skater boy and loved it. I'm pretty sure the flip kick is always in the locker if needed. Sport is extremely important in my life and I'll try my hand at most sports. I guess now I just play tennis, squash and golf on a regular basis, but I'll give anything a go. Oh and I'm surfing train, but not quite yet.
Thank you Gareth. To contact, please email grae@jakartarugby.com